Conferences
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Organised by:
Sarah Berry
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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.

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

09:00

Registration

09:20

Welcome

09:30

Eating for Healthspan: What the Science of Ageing Reveals
Professor Andrea Britta Maier, National University of Singapore, Singapore

10:10

Refreshments

10:30

Symposium One: Can Diet Change the Ageing Trajectory?

10:30

From Okinawa to Sardinia: Epi Perspectives on Long-lived Populations
Professor Andrew Steptoe, University College London, UK

10:55

Health and Year Gains from Optimising Diets
Professor Lars Fadness, University of Bergen, Norway

11:20

Beyond Chronological Age: RCT Evidence on Biomarkers of Ageing
Dr Oliver Shannon, Newcastle University, UK

11:45

Panel Discussion

12:05

Lunch

13:00

Original Communications Session One

15:00

Refreshments

15:25

Symposium Two: Molecular Mechanisms of Ageing: Pathways to Longevity

15:25

Diet and Molecular Mechanisms of Ageing

 

15:50

Neurological Ageing and Diet
Dr Andrea Du Preez, King's College London, UK

16:15

Decoding Biological Age: Insights from Epigenetic Clocks
Professor Jordana Bell, King's College London, UK

16:40

Panel Discussion

16:55

Comfort Break

17:05

Elsie Widdowson Lecture

17:50

End of Day One

18:00

Reception

Day Two

09:00

Start of Day Two

09:05

Symposium Three: Applying Nutrition Science for Longevity: Challenges and Opportunities

 

09:05

The intersection of diet, sleep, physical activity and stress in health optimisation

09:30

The unintended consequences of weight management from calorie focused and pharmacological approaches: Sarcopenia and nutritional inadequacies 

09:55

Dietary Disparities and Health-Span Outcomes
Dr Amelia Lake, Teesside University, UK

10:20

Panel Discussion

10:35

Refreshments

11:00

Original Communications Session Two

13:00

Lunch

14:00

Symposium Four: Health Hacking – Hope or Hype?

14:00

The next frontier of diet and longevity: science, tech, apps and smarter communication

14:25

Biohacking for longevity with Caution: Navigating Safety and Ethics in DIY Biology

14:50

Closing the Loop: Integrating biohacking and digital innovation into academic and public health research

15:15

Panel Discussion

15:40

Refreshments

16:00

Cuthbertson Medal Lecture

16:45

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 authorsYou 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

£360

Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration.

£550

Non-member

£170

Student/Low-income/unwaged Member - To benefit from the membership rate, please log in to your membership area before completing the registration. 

£200

Student non-member - To benefit from this discount, please contact [email protected], and share your institution and year of graduation.