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Lab Innovations 2026 reveals its speaker lineup

29 Sept 2026
Lab Innovations 2026 reveals its speaker lineup - Timandra Harkness & Chris Smith

[Left] Timandra Harkness and [Right] Chris Smith

Lab Innovations has released its show conference programme for 2026, featuring speakers from academic to media backgrounds. Returning to the NEC, Birmingham, UK on November 4–5, key themes being addressed are sustainability, robotics and automation, quality, compliance and risk management, biotech innovation, technical product advice and demos and professional development.

At this year’s show, the Royal Society of Chemistry Stage will host keynote talks on both days of the show at 13:00 GMT. On day one, renowned presenter and writer, Timandra Harkness, will take to the stage to discuss ‘What can a scientist do, that AI cannot?’ Harkness has contributed to several publications including the BBC’s Science Focus and The Daily Telegraph, and authored the 2025 book ‘Technology is Not the Problem’, after ‘Big Data: does size matter?’

The second day will host consultant virologist and lecturer based at Cambridge University, Chris Smith, whose session titled ‘Cruising for a biological bruising: What makes pandemics happen?’ will reflect on COVID-19 learnings and how outbreaks of viral diseases occur. Smith is the creator of the Naked Scientists podcast, which was first released in 2001.

On day one of Lab innovations 2026, The Future of Laboratories Stage, sponsored by My Green Lab and powered by Laboratory News and GAMBICA, will host Dr. Esther Lewis, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Leeds. Dr. Lewis will explore her research on developing a new vaccine strategy that uses stabilized virus-like particles (VLPs) as a vaccine candidate.

The same stage will also host Jay Champaneri, sales manager at Constant Systems, who will discuss reducing waste in protein extraction. More talks will take place before the stage hosts the annual Lab Awards ceremony at 15:30 GMT.

On the second day, The Future of Laboratories Stage will feature talks from Elliot Atkins, from Tropic Biosciences, and Sharon Williams, who has spent over 20 years at Interactive Software Limited. Atkins and Williams will discuss how to build a digital strategy for an integrated laboratory that can support reproducibility, compliance, and sustainable growth.

Later, Dr. David Ellis, assistant professor at Herriot-Watt University, and Robin Blagg, product science team lead at Oxford Instruments, will examine benchtop NMR as an analytical tool for labs that cannot justify high-field infrastructure. These are to be followed by further seminars throughout the day discussing topics from sustainability to AI, with the latter to be discussed at length by Azo Network’s AI innovation lead, Will Soutter.

“With the pace of change and innovation across the laboratory sector showing no signs of slowing, we wanted this year’s programme to reflect that breadth,” said Adam Gough, portfolio director at Lab Innovations.

“From sustainability and automation to compliance, biotech and professional development, the programme brings together practical insight across the challenges and opportunities facing laboratories today – giving visitors the freedom to build a schedule around the topics that matter most to them.”

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Artificial Intelligence / Machine LearningArtificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transformative technologies used to analyze complex data, identify patterns, and make data-driven predictions across diverse scientific fields. Automate the analysis of large or complex data sets using AI algorithms and leverage machine learning models to improve diagnostics, accelerate drug discovery, and refine experimental design. Discover the best AI/ML software, platforms, and analytical tools in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare features, read customer reviews, and request pricing directly from manufacturers.SustainabilitySustainability in research and industry focuses on reducing environmental impact, conserving resources, and promoting long-term ecological balance. Innovations in sustainable practices include renewable energy, waste reduction, and eco-friendly materials. Explore more sustainabile solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.AutomationAutomation in laboratories and manufacturing processes enhances efficiency, precision, and scalability by reducing the need for manual intervention. It plays a critical role in improving productivity, minimizing human error, and accelerating workflows in fields like diagnostics, drug development, and industrial testing. Automation technologies include robotic systems, automated liquid handlers, and process control systems that streamline complex tasks and ensure consistent, reproducible results. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to discover the best automation solutions, compare options, read user reviews, and get prices directly from manufacturers.Covid-19COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to a global health crisis with profound impacts on societies and economies. Research into diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and understanding viral mechanisms continues to evolve. The pandemic has accelerated innovations in healthcare and biopharmaceuticals, including novel vaccine platforms and rapid testing technologies. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find top COVID-19 testing kits, research tools, vaccines, and treatments, compare products, read reviews, and receive direct pricing from manufacturers.Regulatory ComplianceBiotechnologyBiotechnology is the use of biological processes, organisms, or systems in the production of products and services. It spans a wide range of applications, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best biotechnology tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

Frequently asked questions

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When and where is Lab Innovations 2026 taking place?

Lab Innovations 2026 returns to the NEC on November 4–5, 2026. All conference talks are free for show visitors across both days, covering sustainability, robotics and automation, quality, compliance, risk management, biotech innovation, technical product advice, demonstrations and professional development.

Who are the keynote speakers at Lab Innovations 2026?

Timandra Harkness will discuss what scientists can do that AI cannot on day one. On day two, Cambridge University consultant virologist and lecturer Chris Smith, creator of the Naked Scientists podcast, will examine what causes pandemics and reflect on lessons learned from COVID-19. Both keynotes begin at 13:00 GMT.

What topics will the Future of Laboratories Stage cover at Lab Innovations 2026?

The stage will feature vaccine research from Dr. Esther Lewis, waste reduction in protein extraction with Jay Champaneri, and digital laboratory strategy with Elliot Atkins and Sharon Williams. Dr. David Ellis and Robin Blagg will examine benchtop NMR, while other seminars will address sustainability, AI, reproducibility, compliance and sustainable growth.

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