UK RAS STEPS is delighted to announce the Automation of Liquid Handling Conference 2026, taking place at the Earlham Institute, Norwich, bringing together Research Technical Professionals (RTPs), researchers, facility managers, industry partners, and automation specialists from across the UK.

Building on the success of previous events, the conference will provide a dedicated forum for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development for those working with automated liquid-handling technologies in research and innovation environments.

Bringing the Community Together

As laboratory automation continues to transform research across genomics, engineering biology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, and high-throughput screening, the conference offers an opportunity to explore the latest developments, share best practice, and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing and scaling automated workflows.

Delegates will hear from experts across academia, research institutes, and industry, gaining insights into how automation is accelerating discovery, improving reproducibility, and enabling increasingly complex experimental workflows.

An Interactive and Diverse Programme

The two-day programme will feature a combination of keynote presentations, technical talks, user case studies, supplier showcases, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

Industry partners will contribute through dedicated technology showcase sessions, offering delegates the opportunity to learn about the latest liquid-handling platforms, software developments, and emerging automation solutions. These sessions will provide valuable insights for laboratories considering investment in automation, as well as those seeking to optimise existing systems.

Showcasing Innovation at the Earlham Institute

Hosted by the Earlham Institute, a leading centre for genomics, bioinformatics, and engineering biology research, the conference will highlight the role of automation in supporting cutting-edge scientific programmes.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the Institute’s automation infrastructure and biofoundry capabilities, exploring how automated liquid handling is supporting research at scale. Facility tours will provide a behind-the-scenes look at state-of-the-art laboratory automation technologies and their application across a range of scientific disciplines.

Supporting RTP Development

A central focus of the conference remains the professional development of Research Technical Professionals. Through presentations, networking activities, and discussion forums, delegates will be able to share experiences, build professional connections, and develop knowledge that can be applied within their own institutions.

The conference will also showcase examples of how RTPs are driving innovation through the adoption, optimisation, and operation of automated liquid-handling systems, reinforcing the vital contribution of technical professionals to the UK research landscape.

We are in the very early stages of planning, so for now please save the dates in your diaries. More detail and the registration link will be advertised in September 2026.