Join us

PEDRI Forum 2026

Find out more about what to expect at this event

Date | 22 September 2026

Time | 9am – 5.30pm

Location | Wellcome Trust, Central London

Join us for a one-day national event focused on building a culture of meaningful public involvement and engagement (PIE) in data and statistics. The PEDRI Forum 2026 will bring together researchers, analysts, engagement practitioners, policymakers and public contributors.

This event will spotlight inclusive and impactful approaches to engaging the public with data research, aligned with our Good Practice Standards. Through talks, workshops and interactive sessions, we’ll explore what good PIE practice looks like and create space for sharing experiences across the sector.

Why attend?

The PEDRI Forum 2026 is designed with connection, collaboration and inspiration in mind. You can expect:

Thought-provoking sessions with a range of speakers tackling some of the big questions in PIE

Opportunities to showcase your work in dedicated spaces

A chance to connect with others in the data research and statistics community, including researchers, charities, research organisations, data owners and members of the public

Who should attend?

This event is open to people interested in shaping better, more inclusive approaches to engaging the public in data research and statistics.

Registration

Cost | £180

Registration is now open! You can register your spot on Eventbrite.

Registration includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

PEDRI is hosted by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) which is a registered charity, and we will not make a profit on this event. Registration fees help us to cover costs associated with the event.

Event programme

Please note that this is the draft programme. More details to follow, including tracked talks.

09:00 – 09:30: Registration & Networking

09.30 – 09.45: Welcome

Speakers:

Dr Doreen Tembo, Head of Public Involvement (Health Data Research UK) and Strategic Lead (PEDRI)
Samaira Khan, Senior Partnerships Manager and Operational Lead (PEDRI)

09.45 – 10.45: Keynote & panel discussion

Setting the scene: Why culture change in data involvement and engagement matters

Keynote speaker: Benedetta Lacey, Deputy Director Strategy & Engagement National Data Library (Department for Science Innovation and Technology)

Panelists:

Benedetta Lacey
Professor Mary De Silva, Deputy Director for Data Policy (Department of Health and Social Care)
Dr Emma Gordon, Director (Administrative Data Research UK)
Caleb Meath, Innovation and Research Policy Manager (Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry)
Joe Cuddeford, Director (Smart Data Research UK)
Jan Speechley, Public Partner (PEDRI)

Chaired by: Doreen Tembo

10.45 – 11.15: Break & Poster/Exhibitor Viewing

11.15 – 12.30: Parallel sessions

Oral presentations

Track A: Public Engagement Across the Data Research Lifecycle
Track B: Public Engagement with Data Linkage and Data Governance

Workshops

Workshop C: Inclusion of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Data Research
Workshop D: Data, Statistics and AI Literacy for Meaningful Public Involvement

12.30– 13.30: Lunch & Poster/Exhibitor Showcase

13.30 – 14:00: Keynote

From the Margins to the Centre: Putting Underserved Communities at the Heart of Responsible AI

Keynote speaker: Dr Mhairi Aitkin, Co-founder and Director (Our AI Collective)

14.00 – 14.40: Interactive Engagement Sessions

The Linkmaster’s Dilemma: A Boardgame of Data, Decisions and Trust – Led by Dr Joseph Lam (University College London) and Rachel Leung
Reimagining engagement with LEGO® bricks – Led by Dr Piotr Teodorowski (University of Stirling)
Folding Boxes & Breaking Barriers: Building Community Engagement – Led by Professor Laura Gray (University of Leicester)

14.40 – 15:00: Break & Poster/Exhibitor Viewing

15:00 – 16:15: Parallel sessions

Oral presentations

Track C: Inclusion of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Data Research
Track D : Data, Statistics and AI Literacy for Meaningful Public Involvement

Workshops