Party conferences
Each year, we organise panel events at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party conferences, offering expertise and evidence on pressing policy topics.
We have been running our conference programme for a number of years, bringing together panels of experts to discuss a wide range of topics. Please see below for further details of our programmes for 2026 at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Conservative conference in Birmingham and Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton.
Liberal Democrats Party Conference
19 September - 22 September 2026, Brighton
In partnership with Social Market Foundation
Monday, 21 September, 12:15pm - 13:15pm
Gloucester Room | Hilton Hotel Brighton (Outside the conference secure zone)
Over one million 16-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training in the UK. At the same time, adolescent wellbeing has been decreasing, and the prevalence of mental health difficulties has increased over the last two decades. In 2009-10, 30% of 16-24-year-olds who were NEET were likely to have a mental health condition. In 2023-24, this figure doubled to 60%.
While poor mental health increases the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET, being NEET is also likely to have a harmful effect on that person's mental health. Join us as we discuss how to break the cycle of poor mental health and get more young people into jobs, education and training.
- Chair: Dr Rebecca Montacute, Research Director, Social Market Foundation
- Dr Luke Munford, Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester
Further speakers to be announced.
Labour Party Conference
27 September - 30 September 2026, Liverpool
Monday, 28 September, 08:00am - 09:00am
Private Roundtable | by Invitation Only
New research from The University of Manchester and CBI Economics shows that talent and collaboration are critical drivers of growth. As skills shortages constrain productivity and investment, this roundtable will explore the results of a business survey on how government, business and universities can work together to unlock innovation, develop talent and deliver Labour’s commitment to growth.
In Partnership with Social Market Foundation
Monday, 28 September, 10:30am - 11:30am
Exhibition Event Space 1 | Liverpool Experience Campus (Inside the secure zone - conference pass required to attend)
Over one million 16-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training in the UK. At the same time, adolescent wellbeing has been decreasing, and the prevalence of mental health difficulties has increased over the last two decades. In 2009-10, 30% of 16-24-year-olds who were NEET were likely to have a mental health condition. In 2023-24, this figure doubled to 60%.
While poor mental health increases the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET, being NEET is also likely to have a harmful effect on that person's mental health. Join us as we discuss how to break the cycle of poor mental health and get more young people into jobs, education and training.
- Chair: Dr Rebecca Montacute, Research Director, Social Market Foundation
- Dr Luke Munford, Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester
Further speakers to be announced.
Event organised by HEPI and supported by the Cambridge University Press & Assessment and University of the Arts London
Monday, 28 September, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Albert Johnston Theatre | Novotel Liverpool City Centre (Outside the conference secure zone)
The UK has world-leading universities, research, science, culture and the English language. But in a more contested world, influence is no longer something the UK can take for granted. How can government, universities and cultural institutions turn these assets into stronger international partnerships, economic growth and national resilience?
What role should English language and education play in the UK’s global offer? And can a Soft Power Strategy move the UK from ambition to delivery? The panel will examine how the UK can use soft power more strategically in a hardening geopolitical environment.
- Chair: Nick Hillman OBE, Chief Executive, HEPI
- Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester
- Professor Karen Stanton, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts London
- Francesca Woodward, Global Managing Director for English, Cambridge University Press and Assessment
- Dr Naimatullah Zafary, Former Afghan Chevening Scholar, University of Sussex (Opening Remarks)
Further speakers to be announced
In Partnership with Centre for Cities and the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place
Monday, 28 September, 11:00pm - 12:00pm
Premier Meetings Albert Dock (Outside the conference secure zone)
Further details to be announced.
In Partnership with Institute for Government
Monday, 28 September, 15:00pm - 16:00pm
Arena Room Sherwood | Convention Centre, Liverpool Experience Campus (Inside the secure zone - a conference pass is required to attend)
After taking power in 2024, Labour committed to delivering a “devolution revolution” by empowering regional mayors across England to drive forward key priorities. Andy Burnham is now promising “good growth in every postcode” and the “the biggest rebalancing of power our country as ever seen.”
The English Devolution Act was passed earlier this year, and new mayors are being established in places including Cheshire, Essex and Hampshire, but has Labour devolved the right powers to the right places? Is devolution the best way to improve people’s lives? What role should universities and other anchor institutions play in making devolution work? And what should Andy Burnham do to drive the devolution process forward over the coming years?
- Chair: Akash Paun, Programme Director, Institute for Government
- Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester
Further speakers to be announced
Tuesday, 29 September, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Albert Suite 4 | Hilton Hotel Liverpool City Centre (Outside the conference secure zone)
Digital platforms are increasingly exposing young people - especially young men and boys - to a complex mix of self-help messaging, identity advice and harmful misogynistic content. What begins as entertainment can quickly shape attitudes towards women, relationships and gender roles with real-world consequences.
Using new research from The University of Manchester, we’ll explore the rising influence of the “manosphere,” the risks it presents to mental health, and what policymakers can do to break the echo chamber of algorithm driven misogyny.
- Chair: Mark Russell OBE, CEO, The Children's Society
- Dr Allysa Czerwinsky, Research Fellow in AI, Trust and Security, The University of Manchester
- Alistair Strathern MP, Co-Chair of the Labour Group for Men and Boys and MP for Hitchin
Further speakers to be announced.
In Partnership with JL Partners
Tuesday, 29 September, 12:30pm - 13:30pm
Albert Suite 4 l | Hilton Hotel Liverpool City Centre (Outside the conference secure zone)
Further details to be announced.
Tuesday, 29 September, 15:45pm - 16:45pm
Room 4B | Convention Centre, Liverpool Experience Campus (Inside the secure zone - conference pass required to attend)
Join Professor Brian Cox and The University of Manchester for a discussion on how UK research and innovation serves the public good, solves real-world problems and shapes the nation’s future. We’ll explore how R&D drives impact, supports Government goals, and why universities are essential to the UK’s long term success.
Conservative Party Conference
4 October - 7 October 2026, Birmingham
Monday, 5 October, 10:00am - 11:00am
Room 110 | Leonardo Hotel Broad Street (Outside the conference secure zone)
Digital platforms are increasingly exposing young people - especially young men and boys - to a complex mix of self-help messaging, identity advice and harmful misogynistic content. What begins as entertainment can quickly shape attitudes towards women, relationships and gender roles with real-world consequences.
Using new research from The University of Manchester, we’ll explore the rising influence of the “manosphere,” the risks it presents to mental health, and what policymakers can do to break the echo chamber of algorithm driven misogyny.
- Chair: Mark Russell OBE, CEO, The Children's Society
- Dr Alyssa Czerwinsky, Research Fellow in AI, Trust and Security, The University of Manchester
Further speakers to be announced
Event organised by HEPI and supported by the Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Monday, 5 October, 10:00am - 11:00am
Room LOB 101, Unique Venues Birmingham (Outside the conference secure zone)
- Chair: Nick Hillman OBE, Chief Executive, HEPI
- Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester
- Jamie Arrowsmith, Director, Universities UK International (UUKi)
- Naimatullah Zafary, Former Afghan Chevening Scholar, University of Sussex (opening remarks)
Further speakers to be announced.
In Partnership with Social Market Foundation
Monday, 5 October, 16:00pm - 17:00pm
Fortissimo | Hyatt Regency Hotel (Inside the secure zone - conference pass required to attend)
Over one million 16-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training in the UK. At the same time, adolescent wellbeing has been decreasing, and the prevalence of mental health difficulties has increased over the last two decades. In 2009-10, 30% of 16-24-year-olds who were NEET were likely to have a mental health condition. In 2023-24, this figure doubled to 60%.
While poor mental health increases the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET, being NEET is also likely to have a harmful effect on that person's mental health. Join us as we discuss how to break the cycle of poor mental health and get more young people into jobs, education and training.
- Dr Rebecca Montacute, Research Director, Social Market Foundation (Chair)
- Professor Neil Humphrey, Professor of Psychology of Education, The University of Manchester
Further speakers to be announced.