Anaesthesia Research 2025

Join us in Birmingham in November, as we bring together many organising groups to highlight anaesthetic research from the past year.

126 days left

Key details

Date: 27 to 28 November 2025 | Day 1 09.00-19.00 | Day 2 08.00-16.40

Location: Birmingham, The Library

Availability: Places available

Clinical content lead(s): Prof Ben Shelley, Dr Joyce Yeung

CPD credits: 10 anticipated

Anaesthesia Research Meeting 2025 – Advancing Science, Transforming Care

We are excited to welcome you to the Anaesthesia Research Meeting 2025, a premier event showcasing the latest in anaesthesia and perioperative research.

Plenary Highlight:
Professor Alastair Denniston
Professor of Regulatory Science and Innovation, University of Birmingham
A global leader in AI and Digital Health, Professor Denniston will share insights on the intersection of technology, research, and perioperative care.

Programme Highlights:

  • Breaking Trials in anaesthesia and perioperative care including Volatile versus Inhalational Anaesthesia in major non-cardiac surgery (VITAL) and Targeted heart rate control using the funny current inhibitor ivabradine to reduce morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery (FUNNY)
  • Translational Research from lab to bedside
  • Clinical Trial Proposals and collaborative development
  • NIAA grants awardees and their work
  • Networking with clinicians, researchers, and trainees including 

Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or trainee, this is your opportunity to engage with the future of anaesthesia.

Let’s shape tomorrow’s practice through today’s research.

 

Event Feedback from Anaesthesia 2024: 

  • 'This event is a must for anyone involved in anaesthesia research'
  • 'Really interesting and a fantastic two days'
  • 'Inspiring, collaborative and innovative to run'

 

How to find us

Library of Birmingham

Centenary Square

Birmingham 

West Midlands

B1 2ND

09:00–09:50 REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS  
09:50-10:00 Welcome and introduction Professor Ben Shelley
Session 1: Association of Anaesthetists & Anaesthesia – Updates in Research Practice
10:00-10:15 Integration of Industry in Research Dr James Bowness, Consultant Anaesthetist and Honorary Associate Professor, University College London Hospitals, London
10:15-10:30 Data integrity and anaesthesia Dr Paul Bramley, Anaesthetic Registrar, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
10:30-10:50 Trainee Networks in Research: Top Tips from REPACC Dr Chris Oddy, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Intensive Care Medicine, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London
10:50-11:00 Q&A  
Session 2: Research & Audit Federation of Trainees (RAFT) 
11:00-11:10 RAFT 4: POPPY Patient-reported Outcomes, Postoperative Pain and pain relief after day case surgery - study results Dr Anna Ratcliffe
11:10-11:20 CAVA study: A UK-wide survey evaluation of capnography variation Dr Mathew Lyons, SCREDS Clinical Lecturer in Anaesthesia, University of Edinburgh
11:20-11:30 RAFT 5: SECURE – Service Evaluation of Cross-Specialty UK Rapid Sequence Intubation Events Dr Aravind Ramesh, ST6 Intensive Care Medicine, North Bristol NHS Trust
11:30-11:40 Q&A  
11:40-12:10 Refreshment break and Networking  
Session 3: Royal College of Anaesthetists Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I) 
12:10-12:30 NAP8 updates Speaker to be confirmed
12:30-12:50 Perioperative Research Prioritisation Speaker to be confirmed
12:50-13:10 Perioperative Audit Speaker to be confirmed
13:10-13:20 Q&A  
13:20-14:20 Lunch and Networking  
14:20-14:50

Plenary Speaker (Sponsored by the BJA)

The False Fitness Phenotype: Is my patient really fit and well?

Mr Alex Labey, Anaesthesia Associate & Respiratory / Exercise Physiologist, UCLH & Mayo Clinic Healthcare London
14:50-15:00 Plenary Q&A  
Session 4: Joint Anaesthesia Research Society (ARS) & RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I) 
15:00-15:15 ARS abstract presentation Speaker to be confirmed
15:15-15:30 ARS abstract presentation Speaker to be confirmed
15:30-15:45 SAPPHIRE – Study results Speaker to be confirmed
15:45-16:00 Predictive risk models – study findings Speaker to be confirmed
16:00-16:30 Refreshment break and Networking  

Session 5: NIAA Grants - where does the money go? 

Joint Anaesthesia Research Society (ARS) & RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I)

16:30-16:35 Introduction to NIAA Grants & Awards Dr Sanooj Soni
16:35-16:55 John Snow Intercalated BSc Award: Long term opioid use after burn injury Speaker to be confirmed
16:55-17:15 BJA Project Grant: Temporal changes in dynamic immune function following major surgery Dr Timothy AC Snow, Honorary Associate Professor, Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London
17:15-17:35 BJA Centenary Grant: PRECARB – investigating the effect of carbohydrate preloading on perioperative inflammation and organ injury Dr Henrike Janssen, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Perioperative Medicine,  William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London
17:35-17:45 Q&A   
17:45 End of day remarks and close  
17:40-19:00 Drinks Reception  

Programme subject to change

08:00–09:00 REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS  
09:00–09:05 Day 2 opening remarks   
Session 6: NIAA Research Award session
09:05-09:10 NIAA Research Award session introduction Professor Fang Gao
09:10-09:30 TBC incl. Q&A Speaker to be confirmed
09:30-09:50 TBC incl. Q&A Speaker to be confirmed
09:50-10:10 TBC incl. Q&A Speaker to be confirmed
10:10-10:40 Refreshment break and Networking  
Session 7: Breaking Trials
10:40-11:10 Volatile vs Inhalational Anaesthesia in major non-cardiac surgery (VITAL) – Study Results Professor Joyce Yeung & Dr Shaman Jhanji
11:10-11:20 Editorial Comment   
11:20-11:30 Q&A  
11:30-12:00 Targeted heart rate control using the funny current inhibitor ivabradine to reduce morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery (FUNNY) – Study Results Speaker to be confirmed
12:00-12:10 Editorial Comment   
12:10-12:20 Q&A  
12:20-13:20 Lunch and Networking  
Session 8: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)
13:20-14:40 Lecture title to be confirmed Speaker to be confirmed
14:40-14:50 Q&A  
Session 9: Joint Anaesthesia Research Society (ARS) & RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I) 
14:50-15:05 ARS abstract presentation Speaker to be confirmed
15:05-15:20 ARS abstract presentation Speaker to be confirmed
15:20-15:35 KEYSTONE: a proposed trial of dexmedetomidine for renal transplantation – Study proposal Dr Jon Silversides
15:35-15:50 Older, Frail? Go CAREFUL – Study proposal Speaker to be confirmed
15:50-16:05 Cessation of smoking in vascular surgery (COSMIC) – Study proposal Speaker to be confirmed
16:05-16:25 Refreshment break and Networking  
Session 10: RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement (RCoA CR&I)
16:25-16:50

Plenary Speaker (Sponsored by the BJA)

The Last Mile: Why so many great AI ideas die before they reach patients – and what you can do about it

Professor Alastair Denniston, Professor of Regulatory Science and   Innovation, Executive Director of CERSI-AI
16:50-17:00 Q&A  
17:00-17:10 Award presentations and closing remarks  
17:10 End of Conference  

Programme subject to change

Pricing

Anaesthesia Research 2025 pricing table

If your current grade does not appear in the list above please see the below rates.

HSRC Fellow

One Day = £140

Two Days = £240

Non Clinical Scientist/Academic

One Day = £50

Two Days = £85

Nurse

One Day = £50

Two Days = £85

QuARC

One Day = £130

Two Days = £210

 

Pricing Terms and Conditions

Payment must be made at the time of booking unless otherwise stated. The RCoA, FICM and FPM are unable to hold places on events without payment. Credit or debit card payments must be made online via our card payment handler Stripe, or by phone. We do not accept purchase orders or raise invoices for places on our events. 

Discounts are available for some membership types at the rates stated above. You must be eligible for the discount both at the time of the booking and at the time of the event itself. We may ask for proof of your member status at any point. If you are unable to prove your entitlement to the discount we may charge you the full event rate, or invite you to update your membership status accordingly. In such a situation we may withhold access to the event until your updated payment clears, or your new membership status is confirmed.

To view the Event terms and conditions please click here.

Awards & Abstracts

NOW OPEN

NIAA Research Award 2025

The NIAA is pleased to re-open our Research Award for researchers/investigators that have completed a 'body of work', which will be open for applications until Friday 17 October 2025.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges convened by the NIAA, and should be submitted as a summary of the applicant's research project/'body of work'. The judges will select a shortlist of applicants who will be invited to deliver a 10-minute presentation of their work in Birmingham as part of the Anaesthesia Research 2025 conference which takes place 27-28 November 2025.

  • Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend the NIAA Research Award presentation session of Anaesthesia Research 2025 in Birmingham on 28 November 2025.
  • The overall winner will be selected by the judges and announced at the end of Day 2 of Anaesthesia Research on 28 November 2025.

The NIAA Research Award aims to promote and encourage current and active researchers within the field of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine or pain research in the UK.

  • It will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in scientific research relevant to anaesthesia, perioperative care or pain.
  • The award will allow new investigators to achieve recognition through presentation at a national meeting with peer-review.
  • The award winner will be decided and presented at Anaesthesia Research 2025 in Birmingham on Friday 28 November 2025. Applicants should ensure they are available to attend Anaesthesia Research in Birmingham on this date, in the event of being shortlisted.
  • This award is open to all investigators of anaesthesia, perioperative or pain research within the UK who are members of one of the NIAA's founding partners or funding partners. This includes consultants or equivalent, trainees and early career researchers.
  • The applicant will have completed a 'body of work' that may have been presented at an equivalent scientific national or international meeting or published as an abstract or full paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • A 'body of work' will include a project that covers a clear, evidence-based research question, appropriate methods, well-conducted study/studies and statistical analysis of results drawing to a valid conclusion. A 'body of work' would typically be the equivalent to two or more research papers on one subject area or from a higher degree thesis (MD/PhD).

We ask applicants to complete and submit a brief application form as part of their abstract. Please download the form below.

NIAA Research Award Submission Form

Applicants are invited to submit a summary of their 'body of work', this should be fully referenced and state the author's contribution. The summary should fit two A4 sheets with 12 point font, 2.5 cm margins and single line spacing; it should be formatted as follows:

  • Abstract title
  • All authors' initials and last names (please remember the lead author/applicant should be a member of an NIAA partner organisation)
  • The name of the Institution where the majority of the work was carried out
  • The text of the abstract should not contain headings, but should follow the general progression through background, methods, results, conclusions
  • Use a blank line to separate paragraphs
  • Two tables or figures are permitted, and which should be incorporated into the document
  • If a figure is used, ensure that a figure caption is provided within the abstract document. The figure will be reduced in printing; please do not use any font in the figure smaller than your text font
  • References are listed and cited as specified by the British Journal of Anaesthesia, except that you do not need to provide the titles of papers
  • There is no restriction on the number of references cited but they are included in the page limit.
  • Please acknowledge any source of funding for your study at the end of the abstract
  • Deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 17 October 2025


Work may have been and can subsequently be presented or published elsewhere. The summary of research may be published in the NIAA newsletter and/or website following agreement from the author. In some circumstances applicants may submit a modified version for publication if inclusion of data may preclude future publication or presentation.

The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from the NIAA. They will review the summaries based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and relevance
  • Evidence based background and hypothesis
  • Quality of study design and methodology
  • Appropriate statistical analysis
  • Description of limitations
  • Discussion and appropriate conclusions drawn from the summary of results including the impact that it would have on the future of anaesthesia and perioperative care.

We will endeavor to notify shortlisted finalists by Friday 7 November 2025.

The top scoring applicants will be invited to present their work in Birmingham as part of Anaesthesia Research 2025, and will be eligible for the NIAA Research Award competition.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance of Anaesthesia Research 2025.

Candidates will be expected to deliver their 10-minute presentation in Birmingham on the morning of Friday 28 November 2025, as part of the programme for Anaesthesia Research 2024. There will also be 10-minutes for Q&A from the panel and audience.

The overall winner will be selected by the panel and announced at the end of Anaesthesia Research 2025, on Friday 28 November 2025.

The following criteria will be used to score each oral presentation:

  • Oral presentation that is clear, delivers a logical approach to the evidence-based background and hypothesis leading to relevant conclusions.
  • Robust and well-designed study methodology.
  • Accurate presentation of results including appropriate statistical analysis with use of figures and tables.
  • Questions answered clearly and constructively. Clear viewpoint on application of results to clinical practice and future direction of research.

The award winner will hold the 'NIAA Research Award' for one year and will receive an honorarium of £500 and be presented with a certificate.

2024 winner: Dr Jonny Stephens, London

Abstract title: A prospective translational study examining extracellular vesicles as crucial mediators of postoperative pulmonary complications induced by mechanical ventilation

2023 winner: Dr Daniel Stubbs, Cambridge

Abstract title: Towards multidisciplinary care for chronic subdural haematoma. From an understanding of regional care networks to national consensus

2022 winner: Dr Andrew Cumpstey, Southampton

Abstract title: Supplemental oxygen therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care, & its effect on oxidative stress during major surgery

2021 winner: Dr Shaun May, London

Abstract title: Unravelling the enigma of elevated troponin after non-cardiac surgery