NeuroWorks 2026 - Scalable Neurotechnology: Innovation, Translation and Transformative Treatments

NeuroWorks 2026 - Scalable Neurotechnology: Innovation, Translation and Transformative Treatments

Neurotech is developing rapidly, with devices offering more precision and greater potential for scaling. Our flagship forum will provide a focused examination of the field’s direction by showcasing cutting-edge technological advances, as well as highlighting the importance of aligning clinical needs early in the development of technologies. 

Entry in neurotech and translation pathways will be signposted through first-hand accounts of journeys and by highlighting ARIA calls, Cambridge NeuroWorks programming and further funding opportunities, plus investment perspectives.  

This forum aims to drive insight and collaboration across disciplines by purposeful exchanges with structured networking, informal discussions, and showcases selected from offered contributions from across the UK-neurotech ecosystem.  

This highly interactive meeting will provide an in-depth exploration of neurotech through a mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, problem-solving sessions and contributed showcases.

Confirmed speakers include:

Harith Akram - Neurosurgeon and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor - UCL/ UCLH
Luke Bashford - Scientific Director, National Centre for Neurotechnology and Neurorestoration Lecturer, Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Andrew Jackson - Professor of Neural Interfaces - Newcastle University
Katja Kornysheva - Associate Professor in Human Neuroscience UKRI Future Leaders Fellow - University of Birmingham
Zoe Kourtzi - Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge
Tamar Makin - Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Cambridge
Anne Vanhoestenberge - King’s College London & MAISI

Who should attend? 

This forum is open to participants from across the UK, based in multiple sectors, including neuroscience, engineering, clinical practice, investment, and advanced technology.  We also welcome those with relevant skills keen to enter neurotech, such as game developers, ML researchers, as well as patients and family members with first-hand experience of clinical need keen to connect with innovators or funders.  

Provisional Programme

Timings Details
09:00 – 09:30 
Registration | Coffee 
09:30 – 09:40  Welcome to NeuroWorks 2026 
Kristin-Anne Rutter & Ahmed Akbar (Cambridge University Health Partners)

Session 1:
Neurotech: Advances, Ambition and Possibilities 
Chair:  George Malliaras (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge) 
09:40 – 10:00  Luke Bashford (Newcastle University) 
Building the UK Neurotechnology Ecosystem 
10:00 – 10:20  Katja Kornysheva (University of Birmingham) 
Mapping the Neural Control of Movement for Non‑invasive BCI  
10:20 – 10:40  Andy Jackson (Newcastle University)  
Scalable Neurostimulation with Brain-Responsive Music
10:40 – 11:00  Flash Insights 
Selected from community contributions 

Domantas Kuzinkovas (Imperial College London)  
A High-Precision Fully-Polymeric Nerve Cuff for Neuromodulation of Nerves 

Daksh Mehta (University of Cambridge)  
Assessing Continuous Neural Resource Allocation in Working Memory via Rapid Invisible Frequency Tagging (RIFT)

Peter Banister (Migration Biotherapeutics)  
Measuring and Targeting Migration of Brain Tumour Cells 

Hannah Sampson (Cambridge Consultants)  
Keeping Humans in the Loop: Human Systems Integration in the Age of Adaptive Neurotechnology 
11:00 – 11:40  Refreshments | Showcases | Posters 

Session 2: Enhancing Patient-Centricity
 
Chair: Ben Underwood, Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust 
11:40 – 12:00  Tamar Makin (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit) 
More Than Skin Deep: Rethinking Invasiveness in Neurotechnology 
12:00 – 12:20  Zoe Kourtzi (University of Cambridge)  
Responsible AI for early Dementia prediction
12:20 – 12:40  Harith Akram (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery / University College London)  
Brain–Computer Interfaces: A New Frontier in Restorative Clinical Neuroscience
12:40 – 12:45  Conference Photo
12:45 – 14:10  Lunch | Networking  
(13:00 – 14:00)
East & West Seminar Rooms, Ground Floor)
Solution Salon 

Session 3: Translating Neurotech: The Pathways
 
Chair - Lou Jopling (Babraham Research Campus) 
14:10 – 14:30  Anne Vanhoestenberge (King’s College London & MAISI)  
Accelerating Neurotech Innovation towards First Use in Human
14:30 – 14:50 Finding Funding
14:50 – 15:10  Panel Discussion: Translation Journey – Inspiring Stories 
Host: Richard Westcott (Cambridge University Health Partners)
15:10 – 15:30  Fireside Chat: Steps, Failures, Lessons Learned
Host: Jason Mellad (OtoImmune)
15:30 – 16:10  Refreshments | Showcases | Posters 

Session 4: Have Your Say - Tackling Bottlenecks in UK Neurotech
 
Chair - Aga Iwasiewicz-Wabnig (Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge) 
16:10 - 16:50 A facilitated, interactive session focused on identifying the key bottlenecks faced by the neurotechnology community. 
16:50 – 17:00   Closing Remarks | Slido Interactive Survey
17:00 – 18:00  Cavendish Cafe (Top floor with views of Cambridge) Refreshments | Speed Connections | Networking