PRISM network conference 2024

14 November 2024, 09:30–16:30
The Guildhall, St Martin's Courtyard, Coney Street, York YO1 9QN

Following the success of the inaugural PRISM network conference last year in Manchester, the network is organizing its second national event! Join us on November 14th at York’s Guildhall for the second annual in-person PRISM conference. 

This year’s sessions will be focusing on stakeholder engagement and effective advocacy: how to talk persuasively to other professions about the value of PRISM roles, and come up with convincing arguments for providing PRISMs with the right contracts, career development, line management/mentoring and recognition. We’ll be considering how to effectively engage with funders, HR specialists, senior university leadership, and “reluctant” academic project leads. 

Programme outline

09:30 Registration & networking
10:00 Welcome address, Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, University of York
10:10 PRISM Network Update, Claudia Matz, PRISM Committee
10:20 CDT 2023 assessment process - PRISM contribution, Sarah King, EDI & People, EPSRC
10:30 Panel: Making the Case for PRISMs

• Sarah King, EDI & People, EPSRC
• Prof Roddy Vann, Fusion CDT, University of York
• Prof Matthias Ruth Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, University of York
• Ciara Merrick, Flexible Resource Team Lead, University of Edinburgh
• Clare Mawdsley-Geoghegan, HR Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• Chair: Isabella von Holstein, PRISM Network

11:30 Refreshments and networking
12:00 Group activity: developing 'A day in the life...' case studies 
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Presentation: RAMP Training Programme, Lorelei Silvester, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
14:30 Group activity: informing the current PRISM funding bid
15:00 Chalking up success: case studies in making a difference for the community

• Helen Knight, University of Warwick
• Kelly Davidge, University of Sheffield
• Ian Hancox, University of Warwick

15:50 Wrap up
16:00 Close

Detailed programme [PDF]

The conference is in person only. We are looking at hybrid options, to allow more colleagues to attend, but it depends on getting additional funding. Watch this space for further updates. 

Members only (join the network for free here) To register for the conference, fill in this google form. There is no charge for attendance.

A view of the river Ouse looking north in central York, with the Guildhall on the right hand side. Image by Jack Cousin on Flickr

Useful information for attendees

• To find out more about the venue, visit the York Conferences site. 

• You can access the venue’s accessibility statement here. 

• The venue is only about 8-10 minutes’ walk from the railway station. Please note that the Guildhall is in the York city centre and parking options are severely limited (and expensive) in the vicinity.  Parking options include:

  • York Station Long Stay Car Park, Open 24 Hours, York YO24 1AY.

  • York Commuter Car Park – APCOA, Open 24 Hours, Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ.

  • NCP Car Park York Station South, Open 24 Hours, 24 Queen St, York YO24 1AD.
    For a map and full travel directions, visit https://yorkconferences.com/venues/the-guildhall-york/

• A taxi rank is available immediately outside the Station but please note that you are extremely unlikely to need taxis for anything. York is a rather small place and both the event venue and all accommodation options listed below are close to each other. 

• If you need accommodation for the night before, options include: 

  • Premier Inn York City Centre Blossom St South; 

  • Travelodge York Central; 

  • Radisson Hotel York;

  • Moxy York;

  • Novotel York Centre;

  • Hilton York;

  • Holiday Inn York City Centre;

  • Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly
    For additional options, try the Visit York accommodation page

• Not a fan of crowds? York is a historic city and a popular tourist destination throughout the year so the volume of people wandering the streets can feel at times a bit overwhelming. Although the Guildhall is a public space and other users might be there on the day of the conference, we will endeavour to carve out some space in the atrium for everyone who needs a breather and time to themselves; we can also point all visitors who crave a break (or solitary lunch!) to the Museum Gardens, a peaceful green space by the river, which is just 5 minutes’ walk from the venue. Just have a word with any of the organisers at Registration about options on the day!