Winter Conference 2027: Diet and Healthspan: Evidence, Mechanisms and Future Perspectives
Diet and Healthspan: Evidence, Mechanisms and Future Perspectives will bring together leading experts to explore the latest science of healthy ageing, from the impact of dietary patterns on longevity to the molecular mechanisms that underpin ageing. Through a combination of plenary lectures, symposia and original research presentations, delegates will examine the evidence for how nutrition can influence healthspan across the life course.
The programme will explore population and clinical evidence on diet and ageing, emerging insights into biological and neurological ageing, and the challenges of translating nutrition science into real-world improvements in health. Discussions will also address the interactions between diet, sleep, physical activity and stress, as well as inequalities in healthspan outcomes. There will also be a Symposium looking forward to the future real-world application of health optimisation approaches and novel technologies alongside the role of the food industry and beyond.
Alongside cutting-edge science, the conference offers valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the nutrition community through panel discussions, original communications sessions, refreshment breaks, lunches and the conference reception. Delegates will also have the opportunity to hear from internationally recognised experts and attend the prestigious Elsie Widdowson and Cuthbertson Medal Lecture.
This conference offers a timely opportunity for researchers, healthcare professionals and students to engage with cutting-edge nutrition science and explore how emerging evidence can help support healthier ageing and longer lives.
Day One
Registration
Welcome
Eating for Healthspan: What the Science of Ageing Reveals
Professor Andrea Britta Maier, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Refreshment Break
Symposium One: Can Diet Change the Ageing Trajectory?
From Okinawa to Sardinia: Epi Perspectives on Long-lived Populations
Professor Andrew Steptoe, University College London, UK
Health and Year Gains from Optimising Diets
Professor Lars Fadness, University of Bergen, Norway
Beyond Chronological Age: RCT Evidence on Biomarkers of Ageing
Dr Oliver Shannon, Newcastle University, UK
Panel Discussion
Lunch
Original Communications Session One
Refreshment Break
Symposium Two: Molecular Mechanisms of Ageing: Pathways to Longevity
Molecular mechanisms of ageing: pathways to longevity
Neurological Ageing and Diet
Dr Andrea Du Preez, King's College London, UK
Decoding Biological Age: Insights from Epigenetic Clocks
Professor Jordana Bell, King's College London, UK
Panel Discussion
Comfort Break
Elsie Widdowson Lecture
End of Day One
Reception
Day Two
Start of Day Two
Symposium Three: Applying Nutrition Science for Longevity: Challenges and Opportunities
The intersection of diet, sleep, physical activity and stress in health optimisation
Mark Hamer, UCL, UK
Pharmacological weight loss approaches, diet and healthspan - future challenges and opportunities
Dietary Disparities and Health-Span Outcomes
Dr Amelia Lake, Teesside University, UK
Panel Discussion
Refreshment Break
Original Communications Session Two
Lunch
Symposium Four: Health hacking through diet, tech and AI – hope or hype
The next frontier of diet and longevity: science, tech, apps and smarter communication
Jack Kreindler, Imperial College London, UK
New food innovation targeted at healthspan optimisation
Tomorrow’s Appetite: How drugs, AI and diagnostics are rewiring our relationship with food
Panel Discussion
Refreshment Break
Cuthbertson Medal Lecture
Closing Remarks
This is an in-person event only.
Conference address:
The Royal Society
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG
Venue travel information is available here
The abstract submission portal is accessed HERE.
Please read the guidance on how to submit your abstract using the Exordo system.
Please ensure that you read and follow the instructions to authors. You must follow all of the instructions to ensure that your abstract can be considered for publication in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Your abstract does not have to relate to the specific theme of the conference. You may also find tips on writing a successful abstract useful.
How to submit a successful abstract:
1) Read and follow the instructions to the authors. It is imperative that you follow all of the instructions to ensure that your abstract can be considered for publication in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Please pay particular attention to the formatting guidance, which is different to other journals.
2) Submit your abstract by 16 October 2026 at 23:59.
3) Amendments to your abstract submission will not be accepted after the deadline.
Communications
Following submission you will receive a confirmation email. All communications regarding your abstract including acknowledgement and acceptance will sent to the nominated corresponding authors on each submission. You can select more than one corresponding author. If you wish for an author to receive all updates, they must be confirmed as a corresponding author.
When will I hear if my abstract has been accepted?
Authors will hear by mid November 2026 if their abstract has been accepted for presentation. Although preferences for oral and poster presentations are considered, this format cannot be guaranteed and the running order cannot be amended. All presenting authors will need to register to attend the conference and attend in-person. Please note that if an author does not present at the conference, the abstract will be automatically withdrawn from publication.
If you have any queries, please contact the Society's Events Team.
Order Your Tickets
Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Non-member
Student/Low-income/unwaged Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.
Student non-member - To benefit from this discount, please contact [email protected], and share your institution and year of graduation.
Cuthbertson Award 2027
The Nutrition Society Cuthbertson Award has been awarded annually since 1990 as a tribute to Sir David Cuthbertson.
It is awarded to scientists or clinicians at an early stage of their career for excellence in clinical nutrition and/or metabolism research providing an evidence base for clinical practice.
Find out more about the Cuthbertson Medal and how to apply here. The application deadline is 23:59, 17 October 2026.
Widdowson Award 2027
The Society's Widdowson Award, is named after Dr Elsie Widdowson CH CBE FRS who was a pioneering figure in nutrition in the middle decades of the last century and who was a former President of the Society from 1977 until 1980.
The award will be awarded to scientists who have had a significant impact on local, regional, national or international policy or delivery, or the evidence base in public health nutrition.
Find out more about the Widdowson Award and how to apply here. The application deadline: 23:59, 31 October 2026