UKSPA Summer Conference, Norwich Research Park , 2nd & 3rd July 2026

UKSPA membership and wider community – encompassing clusters across the UK, science, technology and research parks, and innovation districts represent a critical national network and infrastructure that underpins economic sustainability and growth across all four nations.

The Summer Conference will highlight the essential role members and partners play within their communities, the tangible value they deliver in fostering innovation and achieving social impact, and their contribution to driving inclusive, place-based growth. It will provide a platform for delegates to strengthen existing partnerships and form new relationships – now more important than ever as we collectively address challenges at a local, national, and international levels.

During the two-day event, you will have the opportunity to meet and hear from scientists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders at Norwich Research Park. You’ll also see first-hand how the park’s ecosystem supports the journey from discovery to commercialisation, helping to maximise the impact of publicly funded research.

As one of the largest research clusters in Europe, with 30,000 people on site every day, Norwich Research Park represents a unique breadth and depth of scientific activity across one campus, in agri-food, health, nutrition and the environment.

We are home to over fifty companies that benefit from access to the skills pool and technology platforms of three BBSRC funded research institutes – the Earlham Institute, the John Innes Centre and the Quadram Institute, as well as the Gatsby funded Sainsbury Laboratory, the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Our growing ecosystem brings together leading scientists, early-career researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and businesses. The AIP LLP campus management team supports campuswide initiatives to bring these groups together, support industry links and encourage entrepreneurial activity.

As your hosts, we are excited to welcome the UKSPA to Norwich Research Park on the 2nd and 3rd of July.

During the two day event you will have the chance to meet and hear from scientists, entrepreneurs and businesses, in our community, and see first-hand how we support the journey from discovery to commercialisation to maximise the impact of publicly funded research.

To make your stay as comfortable as possible, we can recommend several local hotels offering special rates and convenient access to conference transport. Please see our recommended options below and book early to secure your room:

We have negotiated special bed & breakfast rates for conference attendees. To reserve a room, call 01603 272007 or email [email protected] and quote 'UKSPA Summer Conference' when booking.

Rooms are limited and reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking as soon as possible.

The Maids Head Hotel also serves as a shuttle pick-up and drop-off location for travel to and from Norwich Research Park.

Located in the heart of Norwich, near Norwich Cathedral and The Forum, Premier Inn offers rooms to suit all budgets. Although we are unable to secure preferential rates, booking is available through standard platforms on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Premier Inn Duke Street is also a designated shuttle pick-up and drop-off location for the conference.

The George Hotel is an independent property with 43 bedrooms and complimentary on-site parking. It is located approximately 1.5 miles, or a 10-minute walk, from the city centre.

When booking, please quote 'Conference UKSPA'. As room numbers are limited and reservations operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we advise booking early.

Other Nearby Options include:

• Premier Inn Norwich Nelson City Centre
• St Giles House Hotel
• Holiday Inn Norwich City Hotel
• Travelodge Norwich Central

Your registration details (name, work email, job title, organisation) will be shared between The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) and Anglia Innovation Partnership (AIP) so that we can run the event, communicate with you, and produce engagement reporting.
UKSPA will collect your details and will share the data securely with AIP. Each organisation will handle your information in line with its own privacy notice. ,

Info: John Innes Conference Centre foyer

Info: John Innes Conference Centre Auditorium

Info: John Innes Conference Centre Foyer

Info: John Innes Conference Centre Auditorium

Info: (Exhibitors to set up in Centrum building)

Info: The Forum, Norwich City Centre - dress code: business attire

Info: Roz Bird, Chief Executive Officer, Anglia Innovation Partnership (AIP)

Info: Ruth Hall, Chief Executive Officer, UKSPA

Info: James Allen, Programme Manager, Connected Innovation Nick Goodwin, Chief Operating Officer, AIP

Info: • Incubation Programme
• Accelerator Programme

Info: Dr Hannah Hodgson, Scientific Laboratory Head, HotHouse Therapeutics -
Dr Emily Warner, Vice President of Technical Operations, Ikarovec - Dr Rob Lo Bue, Operations Manager, Resurrect Bio -
Dr Daniel Marcu, CEO, Virilitas -
Samual Blake, Head of Laboratory Operations, Tropic

Info: Roz Bird, Chief Executive Officer, AIP and Ruth Hall, Chief Executive Officer, UKSPA

Info: Centrum Atrium

Info: Centrum Atrium

Info: Location: Room G01/02, Centrum (Max 50 attendees)

Info: Location: Jane Rogers Seminar Room, Earlham Institute (Max 50 attendees)

Info: (UEA, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Innovation Centre and Hawkmoth Building construction)

Info: Location: RoomG01/02, Centrum (Max 50 attendees)

Info: Location: Jane Rogers Seminar Room, Earlham Institute (Max 50 attendees)

Info: (UEA, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Innovation Centre and Hawkmoth Building construction)

Info: Centrum Atrium and Terrace

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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