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Children with Cancer UK is the leading childhood cancer charity in the UK, supporting families and childhood cancer research since 1988. We are delighted to announce the Children with Cancer UK Conference 2025 will be taking place on 24-25 November 2025 at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham
As a charity, we are committed to working in partnership with both patients advocates and the public as we recognise the valuable insight this involvement provides to our research efforts. Patient representatives are invited to attend the conference.
Children with Cancer UK also values its strong and established partnerships with others in the paediatric and young adult cancer community. Our regular conferences and workshops bring together such stakeholders in childhood cancer treatment and research to exchange knowledge and ideas.
The 2025 Research Conference: Embracing Research and Impact is here!
We’re excited to announce our research conference for 2025 – Embracing Research and Impact.
The conference will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, early career researchers, representatives from funders across the childhood cancer sector and patient advocates to share their latest findings and discuss the latest trends in the field.
You’ll learn all about cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and innovative treatment strategies that are improving outcomes for children and young adults with cancer, with plenty of opportunities to network with the chance to explore new collaborations and partnerships aligned with new funding opportunities from Children with Cancer UK.
You’ll hear from experts in paediatric, teenage and young adult cancers who will share their knowledge and experience, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and participate in interactive discussions.
We have 4 keynote speakers joining us for the Research Conference to discuss progress and outputs from their research projects:
Name: Professor Louis Chesler
Institution: Institute of Cancer Research, London
About: Professor Louis Chesler is a leading clinician-scientist at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), specialising in the development of novel therapies for the three most common solid tumours in children – neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and medulloblastoma. His research focuses on translating laboratory discoveries into early-phase clinical trials, particularly in targeted and precision medicine. Professor Chesler leads one of the UK’s most advanced preclinical platforms for paediatric oncology drug development and is a key contributor to national and international consortia aiming to accelerate therapeutic innovation for children with cancer.
Name: Professor Chris Halsey
Institution: University of Glasgow
About: Professor Chris Halsey is Chair of Paediatric Haematology at the University of Glasgow who is an expert in translational research for childhood leukaemia. Her research centres on the biology and treatment of leukaemias that have spread to involve the central nervous system (CNS). Current projects include investigating the adaptation of leukaemic cells to CNS and bone marrow microenvironments and identifying metabolic vulnerabilities that can be exploited therapeutically.
Professor Halsey is widely recognised for her leadership in integrating biological insights into trial design and has led several UK-wide initiatives to refine risk stratification and personalise therapy in paediatric haematology. She is a strong advocate for collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and families.
Name: Professor Steven Clifford
Institution: Newcastle University
About: Professor Steve Clifford is a globally recognised leader in the field of childhood brain tumour research. As Director of the Centre for Cancer at Newcastle University, he has pioneered molecular stratification approaches for medulloblastoma and other CNS tumours. His work has helped lay the foundation for precision medicine in paediatric neuro-oncology, informing clinical trial design and risk-adapted treatment strategies. Professor Clifford is also a long-standing collaborator on Children with Cancer UK–funded projects and a mentor to early-career researchers across the UK.
Name: Professor Kathy Pritchard
Institution: University College London / Great Ormond Street Hospital
About: Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones is emeritus Professor of Paediatric Oncology at UCL and the immediate past president of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP). A global authority on Wilms tumour and childhood kidney cancers, she has played a pivotal role in shaping international treatment protocols and clinical trial networks. Professor Pritchard-Jones is a vocal champion of data sharing, early diagnosis, and international collaboration — and has played a key role in the development of integrated care and research models across Europe and globally.
We have patient families, collaborators and early career researchers speaking, giving updates from a broad spectrum of the community.
The finalised agenda will be available in due course.
Participants are invited to showcase their latest research and submit abstracts for poster presentation at the upcoming Childhood Cancer 2025 Conference: Embracing Research and Impact. All abstracts will undergo review by the Conference Committee which will decide on accepted submissions. Awards will be available in recognition of exceptional submissions.
Remit
Abstracts with a children and young adult oncology focus are welcome especially those aligned with our strategic objectives which include but are not limited to:
Submit your abstracts for consideration here
Early Career Researcher and Trainee opportunity
In addition to poster abstract submissions, Children with Cancer UK invite Early Career Researchers to showcase their latest research and submit abstracts for oral presentations.
Only registered attendees are eligible to submit a poster abstract.
All abstracts must be submitted and presented in English with accurate grammar and spelling of a quality suitable for publication. similar facility or by a copy editor, prior to submission.
Abstracts must be submitted via the Flexi-Grant portal via the button below.
Submission of an abstract acknowledges your acceptance for the abstract to be published in the official meeting publications.
More than one abstract may be submitted per applicant.
Abstracts that have been presented at another meeting may be submitted.
Conflicts of Interest / Disclosure: Abstract submitters will be requested to confirm that you will declare any conflict of interests.
Key dates:
Abstract submission opens: 9th June 2025
Abstract Submission Deadline: 5th September 2025
Abstract Notification: September 2025
The conference will take place on 24-25th November 2025 at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham
We aim to provide a forum for clinicians, scientists and other stakeholders to discuss and debate key themes, share knowledge
Register for your tickets below.
Tickets will be available soon.
International Childhood Cancer Conference 2019
We were delighted to hold our annual conference Childhood Cancer 2019 at Newcastle University on 9-10th September 2019.
Watch the conference videos
