NERC Tech Forum 2025

What is the NERC Tech Forum?

The NERC Tech Forum is an old concept that we’re bringing back. It is intended to be a regular (annual or biennial) meeting where engineers and technologists from all the NERC centres and affiliated institutes can find out what other parts of NERC are doing. In this forum, our definition of ‘technology’ is the equipment and systems that help us to deliver science and encompasses:

• instrumentation
• sampling equipment
• hardware platforms
• model development
• analysis techniques
• software engineering

We are still finalising the programme, but it will likely be a mixture of presentations, group discussions, practical demonstrations and informal networking opportunities. If you are interested to see the wide range of topics that were covered last year, they can be seen on the NERC Tech Forum 2024 microsite.

Who is it for?

The forum is for anyone involved in the previously mentioned topics. We especially encourage new employees in NERC who haven’t built networks outside their home institute to attend. Attendees at the last event generally gave very positive feedback, citing the potential for sharing ideas, collaboration and career development.

What do we want to achieve?

The primary aim of the meeting is networking within technology areas in NERC and related research centres. It can be difficult for engineers, technologists and technicians to build networks and gain recognition when working in a science-driven environment. There are plenty of conferences and workshops for our science colleagues but relatively few similar opportunities for technologists. It will also be an opportunity for technologists to engage with professionals in a similar area outside of their home institute.

Finally, through strategic links with NERC colleagues, the forum will create an opportunity to influence NERC about how technology is delivered. By making this a relatively small event targeting NERC members, we can have a focused discussion on the particular organisational issues we might face and break down some barriers between the centres, enabling future collaboration.

For further questions about the event please email Rob Lyon (rlyon@bgs.ac.uk).

Registration and call for speakers

We are presently confirming the costs and funding associated with the event. Once this is complete, we will be able to open registration.

Please complete the expression of interest form in order to let us know that you may be interested in attending. We will then let you know when registration is open.

Travel

NERC Engineering and Technology Forum 2025 – transport and accommodation map

How to get here

By bus

• The Keyworth Connection bus runs roughly every 20 minutes between Nottingham train station and Keyworth during the day, and less frequently from about 19:30 onwards
• Green Close or Covert Close are the nearest stops to BGS

By train

• Nottingham station is well served by trains from London, South Wales, Yorkshire, Liverpool and Manchester, the Midlands and East Anglia
• The Keyworth bus stops right outside Nottingham station
• Newark and Grantham stations are also nearby and are on the East Coast Main Line, served by LNER
• Those coming from Scotland and the north-east of England may find that a train to Newark and a shared taxi from Newark to Keyworth is the quickest way to get here; contact the organisers if you want to try and team up and share a taxi

By coach

• Coaches to Nottingham stop at either Broadmarsh or Greyfriars, where it’s easy to connect to the Keyworth bus

By taxi

• DG Taxis Nottingham 0115 9500 500
• Strada Taxi Newark 01636 706888
• Uber and Bolt cars are available in Nottingham

By bike

• Keyworth is about a 40-minute ride from the centre of Nottingham, less from the south side of the city
• BGS has bike parking and changing facilities
• Contact Harry Harrison (hharr@bgs.ac.uk) to discuss route planning, etc.

By car

• We are located at NG12 5GD
• You can park on site
• Please lift share wherever possible! Contact the organisers if you need or can offer a seat

By air

• The closest airport is East Midlands Airport, approximately 30 minutes’ taxi/drive from Keyworth
• The Skylink bus connects Nottingham to East Midlands Airport
• There are hire care companies at the airport
• Birmingham Airport is also easy to reach by train from Nottingham

Where to stay

• Hotel recommendations