The University of Hertfordshire will host The SPECS Conference 2026 – Where Technical Excellence Enables Research Culture on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, bringing together researchers, technical experts, and collaborators from across Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science. The free, in‑person event will take place at Spectra, College Lane Campus, and will showcase the breadth and impact of research across all SPECS departments.

A standout feature of this year’s conference is the strong invitation to Research Technical Professionals, who play a vital role in enabling cutting-edge research and innovation. Submissions describing technical development, infrastructure, software, instrumentation, or applied solutions from the wider UK technical community are not only welcome but actively encouraged, reflecting the event’s commitment to celebrating the often-overlooked expertise that drives research excellence.

In a major boost for accessibility and inclusion, UK RAS STEPS is providing dedicated travel grants for Research Technical Professionals, ensuring those in technical roles across the UK can attend, present, and participate fully in the day’s activities. This support underscores a growing national focus on strengthening research culture by investing in the technical workforce that underpins it.

Call for Abstracts

Researchers and technical specialists from all related fields – including those working in cross‑disciplinary or emerging areas – are invited to submit abstracts. The conference is particularly keen to highlight work that advances technical capability, infrastructure, or applied research solutions.
The abstract template can be found ​​​​​​​here​​​​​​​.

Submission Instructions:
A Word version of your abstract must be submitted by email to specs.conference@herts.ac.uk by Sunday 19 April 2026.
Please use the following subject line format: [SPECS 2026] + Abstract Title

Registration

All attendees are required to register in advance via the following MS Form link (travel funding opportunities can be found here).

Travel Grants 

Travel grants of up to £200 per person are available upon application. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee a successful travel grant; confirmation will be provided within four weeks post submission of this form.

UKRAS STEPS Travel Grants: Available only for individuals working as Research & Technical Professionals (RTPs) in Robotics & Autonomous Systems area in UK-based universities.