ISTR AUTUMN SYMPOSIA and PRE-SYMPOSIA WORKSHOPS
Theme: Brave New World: Challenges to traditional ways of thinking in research health and safety
Tuesday 11th - Thursday 13th November 2025
Burleigh Court Conference Centre, University of Loughborough
Following last year's successful symposia looking back at 50 years of the HSAWA this year we turn our attention to issues faced today in our working environments which challenge traditional ways of thinking about health and safety.
This year we are also offering something new, a day of pre-symposium workshops for those who want to learn in greater depth about being an effective safety practitioner, understanding how human factors influence working safely and looking at mental health and wellbeing. The workshops will be led by Rosie Russell and Jon Gawn. You will need to book early as workshop places are limited.
The Symposium programme is wide-ranging and will enhance delegates' knowledge and understanding of various new sustainability initiatives, use of readily available software to manage safety tasks, and the experience of neurodiverse individuals. Delegates will consider reasonable adjustments for those with mental health issues and work together through a range of tabletop scenario exercises to discover what reasonable adjustments can be made for individuals in various situations.
We are delighted to welcome Ann Diment, a health and safety practitioner, ambassador for ADHD UK, published author and as our Keynote Speaker.
For 2025 we are able to provide a fantastic offer of a 2-day Symposia at Burleigh Court Conference Centre at the University of Loughborough, with accommodation and conference dinner included in a very attractive ticket price. This can be extended to include the Pre-symposium Workshop.
Programme of events
Day 1 Pre-symposium Workshops
Sign up for the day and attend a morning and afternoon session. Please note there will be a maximum of 14 places available in each session.
Tuesday 11th November
Morning Session 09.00-12.30hrs
Mental health and wellbeing (Rosie Russell), or
Coaching skills for safety advisors (Jon Gawn)
Afternoon Session 13.00-16.00hrs
Human factors (Rosie Russell), or
Coaching skills for safety advisors (Jon Gawn)
Symposium Provisional Programme (tbc)
Wednesday 12th November
9.30 Registration, Coffee and Networking
10.30 Welcome, Andy Minnis (ISTR Chair)
10.45 HSE Update. Holly Dove (HSE)
11.30 LEAF - Researching sustainably is not the same as research into sustainability. Rachel Fairfax, UCL
12.15 Lunch & Networking
13.30 Validating a sustainable alternative to autoclaving. Colin Fricker, Envetec
14.10 Sustainable Labs Mark Wheatley
14.50 Refreshments, Networking
15.20 DIY Safety Systems: Smarter Tools for Leaner Times, David Kemp, University of Nottingham
16.00 Reasonable adjustments for those with mental health issues. Laura Williams, Thive Law
16.45 Close of Day 1
19.00 Burleigh Court Drinks reception
19.30 Symposium Dinner, Burleigh Court
Thursday 13th November
09.30 Coffee and Networking
10.00 Welcome,
10.15 Experiences with autism. Dev Agarwal, University of York
11.00 Tabletop scenario exercises - Reasonable adjustments. All
12.30 Lunch and Networking
13.15 Keynote address - Neurodiversity. Ann Diment,
14.30 Closing Remarks. Andy Minnis, ISTR Chair
15.00 Symposium close
Symposium Venue: Burleigh Court, Off Ashby Road (A512), Loughborough University (West Park), Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3GR
Drinks reception and Symposium Dinner: At Burleigh Court and included in the ticket price.
Tickets: Earlybird booking (before 15 August) is highly recommended and offers existing ISTR members fantastic value for money.
Fully inclusive tickets: offer members attendance at the Pre-Symposim Workshop, Symposium, lunch and refreshments during the symposium, attendance at the Conference Drinks Reception and Dinner and two nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation at Burleigh Court on 11/11 and 12/11/25. Numbers of Fully inclusive tickets are strictly limited.
2-day Symposium tickets: offer exceptional value and includes attendance at the 2-day symposium, lunch and refreshments during the symposium, attendance at the Conference Drinks Reception and Dinner and Bed and Breakfast accommodation at Burleigh Court on Wednesday 12/11/25.
Non-member tickets: Non members are very welcome to attend the 2-Day Symposium. If any Workshop tickets remain unsold these may be made available to non-members in early October.
Sponsors/Trade Stands - please enquire for details to istr-eventssecretary@istr.org.uk
Payment options: Online payment by card is the preferred payment method. Purchase orders are accepted but please remember to select this option when booking and upload a copy of your purchase order at the time of booking to secure your place and avoid disappointment.
Accommodation at Burleigh Court: INCLUDED in the ticket price.
Local ISTR members wishing to attend but not requiring accommodation should contact istr-eventssecretary@istr.org.uk
Final details and refunds: Bookings close on Monday 13 October (Early bookings required again!) to meet the accommodation and catering requirements. Refunds for cancellations or non-attendance cannot be made after this date. If a delegate cannot attend, a colleague may take their place. Contact istr-eventssecretary@istr.org.uk to discuss. Any refund will be subject to a £25 administration charge.
Transport: For details of how to reach Burleigh Court please visit https://www.burleigh-court.co.uk/location/
