Call for Abstracts Opens for UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027

Researchers, clinicians, engineers and healthcare professionals are invited to submit abstracts for the UK Preterm Birth Conference hosted by Queen Mary University of London.

The UK Preterm Birth Conference will take place on 18th and 19th January 2027 at Queen Mary University of London's People's Palace in East London, bringing together world-leading experts in maternal, fetal and neonatal health to address one of the most pressing challenges in global healthcare.

The conference is now inviting submissions for oral, flash and poster presentations, providing a platform for researchers and healthcare practitioners to showcase innovative work aimed at improving outcomes for mothers, babies and families affected by preterm birth.

Preterm birth remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five worldwide and contributes significantly to long-term disability and health inequalities. Tackling this complex challenge requires collaboration across disciplines, from clinical medicine and public health to engineering, data science and artificial intelligence.

The conference will feature fifteen themed scientific sessions, four plenary lectures, fifteen keynote speakers, a Tommy’s panel debate on lived experience, an awards ceremony and an international symposium organised in partnership with the Fetal Membrane Society.

Shaping the Future of Maternal and Neonatal Health

Conference themes include:

• Prediction & Diagnostics
• Prevention Strategies
• Neonatal Outcomes
• Health & Policy
• AI, Digital Twins & Virtual Cities
• Translational Research into Clinical Practice

The conference has already announced Sarah Brown, Chair of the Trustees of Theirworld and founder of the Global Maternal Mortality Campaign, as a headline plenary speaker. Further keynote speakers and programme announcements will be released throughout 2026.

Dr Tina Chowdhury, Chair of the UK Preterm Birth Conference Committee and Reader in Regenerative Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, said: “The UK Preterm Birth Conference will bring together clinicians, scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, policymakers and families to explore innovative solutions for one of the greatest challenges facing maternal and neonatal health. We encourage submissions from across disciplines and career stages, recognising that meaningful progress depends on collaboration, innovation and the translation of research into practice.”

The conference welcomes submissions from:

• Researchers and academics
• Obstetricians and gynaecologists
• Neonatologists and paediatricians
• Midwives and nurses
• Public health professionals
• Engineers and data scientists
• Healthcare innovators
• Trainees and students
• Patient advocacy groups

Abstracts will be peer reviewed and selected for oral, flash or poster presentation. Authors may also apply for the Early Career Researcher Award, recognising outstanding contributions from students, trainees and early career investigators.

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Opens: 1st June 2026
• Abstract submitted electronically before 31st July 2026
• Conference Programme Announcement: 31st October 2026
• UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027: 18th – 19th January 2027
• Venue: People's Palace, Queen Mary University of London

About the UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027

The UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027 is a multidisciplinary international meeting hosted by Queen Mary University of London. The conference brings together expertise across medicine, engineering, public health, policy, artificial intelligence and translational science to advance research, innovation and clinical practice aimed at improving outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide.