This year's Annual HUCBMS (Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Science) Conference will be hosted by Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen from Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 September.

The full Conference Fee will be £325 including en-suite accommodation for two nights. There are also a range of other rates to offer you maximum flexibility.

Accommodation has been arranged at a central hotel, the Jurys Inn Aberdeen, which is situated right next to Aberdeen Train station. Coaches will ferry delegates between the hotel and the University’s Garthdee Campus during the conference, but please note that on the first night (Wednesday) delegates will be required to take a 10 minute walk to our City Centre Campus.

The conference dinner will be held in the Aberdeen and County Town House after a civic reception hosted by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen. To take you into the wee hours, after dinner entertainment will be a Ceilidh with a twist performed by a group called the 'Flying Pieman'.

The registration deadline was Friday 30th July.

The conference will cover a variety of topical themes including an appraisal of the impact of Modernising Scientific Careers, aspects of biomedical science education, biomedical science research and research policy.

•  Download the full Conference Programme

Day 1 Wednesday 8th September

Jury's Inn ready to receive delegates for accommodation from 14:00 onwards.

16:00 Main conference registration. Robert Gordon University, St Andrew Street building.

17:00 "Welcome to HUCBMS 2010"
Professor Hardial (Chas) Chowdrey, University of Westminster, President of HUCBMS and Dr Neil Emmison, Programme Leader for Biomedical Science, Robert Gordon University.

17:10 Opening Lecture - "Technology that allows minimal access surgery"
Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri, Institute for Medical Science and Technology, University of Dundee.

18:00 HUCBMS Annual General Meeting

19:00 Drinks reception and buffet supper in the RGU Student's Union building.

Day 2 Thursday 9th September

08:40 Transport to Faculty of Health and Social Care Building, Garthdee.

09:15 "Opening address and welcome to Robert Gordon University"
Professor John Harper, Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Robert Gordon University.

Session 1 - Modernising Scientific Careers
Chair - Professor David Billington, Liverpool John Moores University, Former Chair of HUCBMS.
09:30 "Modernising Scientific Careers, views from the Institute"
Sarah May, Deputy Chief Executive, Institute of Biomedical Science.
10:15 "Modernising Scientific Careers, views from Clinical Physiology"
Sara Callen, Hon Chair Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists Professional Bodies Education Committee.

11:00 Discussion

11:15 Refreshments

Session 2 - Modernising Scientific Careers
Chair - Professor Hardial (Chas) Chowdrey, University of Westminster, President of HUCBMS.
11:45 "Modernising Scientific Careers, the NHS Education for Scotland perspective"
Dr Robert Farley, NHS Education for Scotland, Programme Director for Healthcare Science.
12:10 "Modernising Scientific Careers, matters of regulation"
Marc Seale, Chief Executive and Registrar, the Health Professions Council.

12:35 Discussion

13:00 Lunch

Session 3 - Curriculum and CPD
Chair - Dr Anne-Marie Seymour, University of Hull.
14:00 "The role/future of QAA in healthcare science education"
Dr David Bottomley, Assistant Head QAA Scotland.
14:30 "The role of the Science Council in Biomedical Science"
Diana Garnham, Chief Executive, the Science Council.

15:00 Refreshments

Session 4 - Educational Aspects
Chair - Dr Linda Walsh, Glasgow Caledonian University.
15:30 "Inter-Professional Education: New horizons for biomedical science"
Dr Sundari Joseph, Lecturer in Interprofessional Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University.
15:50 "Benefits of multi-laboratory portfolio training to Service and Education"
Fiona Sellers, Biomedical Science Placement Manager, Robert Gordon University.
16:10 "Multicentre evaluation update"
Sarah Pitt and Dr Jim Cunningham, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton.
16:30 "IBMS education and accreditation development matters"
Alan Wainwright, Executive Head of Education, Institute of Biomedical Science.

17:00 Return to Jury's Inn

Conference Dinner - Aberdeen Town House
19:00 Civic drinks reception with the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Town and County Hall, Aberdeen Town House.
20:00 to 23:30 Conference Dinner, Aberdeen Town House followed by a Celidh with a twist! Performed by ‘Flying Pieman'.

Day 3 Friday 10th September

08:40 Transport to Faculty of Health and Social Care Building, Garthdee.

Session 5 - Research Policy
Chair - Professor Gerry McKenna
09:15 "Latest Developments in Research Funding"
David Sweeney, Director, Research, Innovation and Skills, HEFCE.
09:50 "Research Excellence - The case for departmental rather than institutional funding selectivity"
Professor Stephen Downes, Former Director, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster.

10:25 Refreshments

Session 6 - Research In and Around Aberdeen
Chair - Professor Peter Robertson, Vice-Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation), Robert Gordon University.
11:00 "Sonic Therapy: Targeted Drug Delivery using Ultrasound"
Dr Paul Campbell, Reader in Physics, Carnegie Physics Laboratory, University of Dundee.
11:20 "Ischaemic Heart Disease - exploring causes and new therapies"
Professor Cherry Wainwright, Director, Institute for Health & Welfare Research, Robert Gordon University.
11:40 "Environmental Waist - health implications of obesity"
Dr Giovanna Bermano, Centre for Obesity Research, Robert Gordon University.
12:00 "Speeding up drug discovery by seeing molecules"
Professor Marcel Jaspars, Marine Biodiscovery Centre, University of Aberdeen.

12:20 Closing comments and introduction to HUCBMS 2011

12:30 Refreshments and packed lunch collection

12:50 Bus departs for train station

Please note that the conference programme may be subject to change. Last amended 27th August 2010.

Download the full Conference Programme

The Jurys Inn Aberdeen

Jurys Inn Aberdeen is a brand new 3 star property located in the heart of the city centre, built within Union Square, an exciting £250 million retail led regeneration project that which has transformed Aberdeen's city centre, creating a vibrant and diverse retail and leisure destination.

It is integrated with Aberdeen’s transport hub comprising of the rail and bus station, only minute’s walk from the harbour and Union Street, the main thoroughfare of Aberdeen city centre.

The hotel boasts 203 bedrooms, 4 dedicated meeting rooms, restaurant, bar and Il Barista coffee bar.

Jurys Inns Aberdeen hotel is ideally located in the heart of Aberdeen, situated on Guild Street between the Rail and Bus stations and just a couple of minutes walk from Aberdeen Harbour and the Ferry Terminals. Union Street, “The Granite Mile” is just a few short steps away with all the bustling shopping, entertainment and nightlife that Aberdeen has to offer.

You can book your accommodation when you register for the conference using the online Registration Form.

Alternative Accommodation

If you'd like to arrange your own accommodation, Aberdeen has a number of high quality hotels to choose from. We have identified some centrally located options. View a Guide to alternative accommodation.

Register for the HUCBMS conference

Register for the conference and book your accommodation:

•   HUCBMS Online Registration Form (the form will open in a new window).

Register closed on 30 July.

If you'd like further information please contact:

Craig Stewart
Robert Gordon University
School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
St Andrews Street
Aberdeen AB25 1HG

Telephone: 01224 262800
Fax: 01224 262828
email: c.stewart5@rgu.ac.uk

Aberdeen is a city of fascinating contrasts, with something for everyone. Its rich cultural heritage combines with a thriving contemporary community and a strong economic pulse, to make the "Granite City" a lively and rewarding place in which to live, study and work.

In recent times, it has become the hub of the world's offshore energy network as the administrative and technical centre for the North Sea and beyond.

The city centre has several busy shopping malls and an eclectic mix of independent shops and top chain stores, as well as a wide choice of nightclubs, wine bars, traditional pubs and restaurants.

Culturally, Aberdeen caters for all tastes. A magnificent Edwardian theatre attracts international companies performing ballet, theatre, opera and light entertainment. Many concert halls feature classical, contemporary, and rock concerts. Exceptional museums and an art gallery including the University's museums and collections, display the visual arts, local heritage and visiting exhibitions.

For fresh-air enthusiasts, there are miles of golden beaches, dunes and cliffs, which give shelter to great nurseries of seabirds and winter migrants; the nearby mountain ranges of the Cairngorms and the Grampians offer superb opportunities for hillwalking, mountaineering and skiing, and rivers such as the Dee, the Don, and the Ythan offer fishing, rowing and canoeing, as well as breathtaking scenery.

You are assured of an enthusiastic welcome in Aberdeen from both the University and the wider community.

Arrival by Road

Aberdeen is accessible by road from Edinburgh or Glasgow in around 2 ½ hours. Follow the M9 north to Perth and then the A90 truck road to Aberdeen. The dual carriageway A90 road passes directly through the centre of Aberdeen. Most venues and hotels have their own parking facilities, and there are major car parks at the airport and train station, as well as the central Denburn and Chapel Street Car Parks.

Arrival by Rail

Aberdeen Railway Station is located five minutes' walk from Union Street, and has an active taxi rank to the rear of the platforms. Most trains terminate at Aberdeen, although some go onto Dyce - the station which services the city's industrial district and airport.

Arrival by Bus

Aberdeen's modern central bus station is located within the new Union Square complex, five minutes' walk from Union Street and two minutes' walk from the nearest taxi rank (at the train station).

Arrival by Plane

Aberdeen's international airport, six miles north of the city centre, is linked to the city by road and rail links. Buses and taxis are located directly outside the airport terminal, and a bus service links the airport to Dyce railway station. Rental cars are also available, with service points within the airport terminal.

Google Map

Check out the location of the conference via Google Maps.