Eastern Arc ECR Health Conference 2025
Reimagining Health and Wellbeing Across Societies and Systems
University of Essex
Tuesday 8 July 2025
The first Eastern Arc Health Conference for early career researchers (ECRs) will take place at the University of Essex on 8 July 2025.
Co-hosted and led by the Essex School of Health and Social Care and the Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing, the Conference will bring together self-defined early career researchers and practitioners across the four Eastern Arc institutions (Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent, and Sussex) to share their research and imagine the future. This is an opportunity to showcase ideas, network, discuss research, receive feedback, and develop new collaborations across the South East and East of England.
Abstract
Health impacts every aspect of our lives from personal fulfilment to societal prosperity. As we navigate a world marked by interconnected challenges, the theme “Reimagining Health and Wellbeing Across Societies and Systems” underscores the urgency to rethink healthcare systems, foster cross-sector collaboration, and address health inequities at various entry points.
This conference invites early career researchers (ECRs) to envision a future where transformative solutions empower individuals and communities to thrive. Together, we aim to redefine wellbeing not just as the absence of illness, but as a holistic state of physical, mental, and social health across diverse populations.
The conference will include research themes such as:
- Digital Health and Human System Interaction
- Health Inequalities, Human Rights, and Social Justice
- Sustainable Health Systems and the Environment
- Culture, Community, and Resilience
- Gender Equity
- Mental Health, Trauma, and Wellbeing
- Non-Communicable Diseases and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
- Healthy Ageing
- Social Policy, Social Care, and Welfare
- Vulnerability and Health
- Biology of health and disease
Audience
We encourage all self-defined ECRs and post-graduate research students to apply for this exciting opportunity. ECRs are commonly defined as being within 5 years of the first academic appointment. Nonetheless, the 5-year period will be longer for those who have experienced career transitions or taken career breaks due to caring responsibilities among other reasons. Post-graduate research students include those studying MPhil, MRes, PhD, and Professional Doctorate degrees at any stage of their programme.
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The call for submissions is open, and we are looking forward to hearing from a wide range of early career researchers.
Abstract Submission Guidance
The abstract should be no more than 500 words (maximum) excluding the title. The title should be up to 12 words (maximum).
Abstracts should be structured into the following sub-headings, such as Background, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
You will be asked to:
- Choose a presentation format (oral, poster)
- Identify up to three conference themes that best describe your abstract
Abstract submissions should state all author name(s) and affiliation(s), with clear indication of the presenting author(s). The email address of the presenting author should be used in the Abstract Submission Form. All correspondence regarding your submission will be sent there, so please ensure that this email is regularly monitored.
Please submit your abstract using this online form
The deadline for abstract submissions is 23:59 GMT, Monday, 10th March 2025.
Reviewing the proposals
The Conference’s Scientific Committee will review and select presentations and posters following the submission deadline. Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision by the end of April (specific date to be announced).
The Scientific Committee comprises:
- University of East Anglia – Danielle Bacon; Ian Clark
- University of Essex – Milagros Ruiz; Zainab Altai
- University of Kent – Beth Flowers; Kate Day
- University of Sussex – Clara Strauss
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Conference registration for this one-day in-person conference is free and will open in early May (specific date to be announced).
Return transportation to and from the University of Essex will be arranged free-of-charge for participants from the Universities of East Anglia, Kent, and Sussex.
Please contact us for any questions about the conference at: ECRHealthConference@easternarc.ac.uk