National Astronomy Meeting 2026

The UK’s largest professional astronomy conference returns in 2026

Join leading astronomers and space scientists from across the UK and around the world at the 2026 National Astronomy Meeting (NAM2026), welcoming researchers at every career stage. 

Organised by the Royal Astronomical Society and hosted by the University of Birmingham, this flagship conference will bring together up to 1,000 delegates to present new findings, debate key questions, and explore the latest cutting-edge research. 

Across five days, NAM2026 will:

• Showcase a wide variety of astronomy research from every corner of the profession
• Present scientific advances, future space missions and emerging priorities 
• Provide opportunities to build new collaborations 
• Connect researchers with policymakers, funders, journalists and sector leaders 
• Deliver a programme of outreach and cultural events 

Sessions will reflect priorities across instrumentation, astro-particle physics, UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and the Magnetosphere Ionosphere and Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) communities. 

The meeting will take place in the University of Birmingham’s state-of-art Teaching and Learning Building, with the Conference Dinner and 2026 RAS Awards ceremony held in the University’s historic Great Hall. 

The majority of delegates attend in person but NAM2026 will run in a hybrid format to ensure broader accessibility for participants who wish to join online. Sustainability is also a key priority, with measures in place to minimise waste and support low-carbon travel. 

Alongside these commitments, NAM2026 is dedicated to creating a respectful, inclusive, and accessible environment for all participants. 

The conference will be delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy and School of Metallurgy and Materials, with support from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). 

Join the UK astronomy community in Birmingham this July. Call for abstracts open now, and registration opens soon.