Durham University hosted the highly successful Early Career Researchers’ (ECR) Winter Symposium 2025, welcoming around 100 participants from universities, institutes and companies across the UK and beyond. The one‑day event brought together researchers working at the interface of biomathematics, biophysics, biological chemistry, chemical biology and bioengineering, highlighting the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration in the life sciences.
Organised by Durham’s Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI) ECR community, the 2025 Symposium provided a platform for early‑career scientists to present their latest work, exchange ideas, and establish new research networks.
"Our central focus was creating a safe and productive environment that enabled ECRs to build new connections and discuss the latest in interdisciplinary research. From the feedback we have received - on the day of the event, and since - we absolutely delivered!" Libbi Moon, Chair of the BSI ECR’s committee.
The programme featured three keynote presentations from distinguished scientists:
These sessions provided attendees with insights into emerging technologies and innovative methodologies shaping the future of biophysical and biochemical research.
Thanks to the organizers! I really enjoyed attending.2026 Attendee
Alongside the keynote lectures, the symposium included a varied schedule of short talks and poster sessions delivered by ECRs. Topics ranged widely, from new understanding of mechanotransduction and coarse-grained modelling of Protein–DNA interactions to real-time monitoring of gelation kinetics in polymer networks.
The day concluded with the announcement of the symposium’s presentation prizes:
ECR Poster Prizes
ECR Presentation Prizes
The BSI Management Team expressed deep appreciation for the ECR organising committee, who coordinated the programme, produced event materials, promoted the symposium and chaired sessions throughout the day. The ECR Committee are drawn from across three departments and from undergraduate to associate professor career stages. The 2025 Organising Committee included:
Libbi Moon (ECR Chair), Anastasiya Bedya, Dorothea Barnes, Dr Will Brittain, Ermando Canga, Katherine Deck, Giammarco Di Gregorio, Matthew Grobbelaar, William Midgely and Dr Liz Morris.
The ECR Winter Symposia embody the BSI’s commitment to fostering innovation, interdisciplinary exchange and researcher development. Planning is already underway for next year’s event, scheduled for Wednesday 2 December 2026.
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