Can you start by telling us a bit about your background and what initially drew you to Manchester?
“I am both a registered nurse and academic, with a research focus on nursing informatics and decision making. I have been working at the University of Manchester since March 2018, having moved back to the UK from the USA, where I held an appointment at Columbia University School of Nursing and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. When I decided to move back to the UK Manchester was an obvious choice, as the University has one of the largest and most vibrant research communities in the UK for health informatics. It is also one of the leading Universities in the UK for nursing, so combining the two means I'm working in a leading institution for my area of research and practice, in one of the best cities (in my opinion) in England.”
Can you tell us about the conference that you hosted in Manchester?
“We hosted NI2024, the 16th International Congress for Nursing Informatics in July 2024, at The University of Manchester. This is the only international research conference in nursing informatics, which is supported by the International Medical Informatics Association Nursing Informatics Special Interest Group (IMIA NI). The role of IMIA NI is to support the development of nursing informatics internationally. The congress is only held every 4 years, and our conference was particularly special as it was also the 40th anniversary of the establishment of IMIA NI as a professional group.
Over 400 delegates from around the world came together to exchange knowledge and celebrate advancements in the field. The conference also coincided with The University of Manchester’s bicentenary celebrations, marking 200 years of academic and innovation excellence. This milestone added a sense of history and innovation to the event, with the university serving as a fitting venue for discussions on the future of nursing informatics. Not only did the University of Manchester establish the first nursing degree in England, but it also appointed the country’s first professor of nursing, solidifying its legacy in nursing education.”
What an incredible conference to host in Manchester! What benefits did the conference bring to your university, your community, and you personally?
“The conference provided an excellent showcase to highlight all of the cutting-edge research that is being conducted here at Manchester, and provided a valuable opportunity for others in the field of nursing informatics (or digital nursing as we call it in the UK) in the UK to find out about the most recent innovations in our field. It has highlighted the role that The University of Manchester plays in developing our evidence base, and has enhanced our reputation internationally. Personally, it has helped me to consolidate a number of important collaborations and relationships with other academics and practice partners in my field.”
In what ways do scientific conferences accelerate progress in healthcare decision-making and nursing informatics, and how is the University of Manchester positioned to facilitate that acceleration?
“Conferences are important for identifying innovations that could potentially be implemented widely into health care systems, such as the NHS. Alongside our research at The University, we have excellent relationships with local health and care locations, as well as the infrastructure for accelerating innovations into practice.”
What support did you receive from the Manchester Convention Bureau and its partners?
“The Manchester Convention Bureau helped with the entire process from bid stage though to delivery, including access to financial support from the Manchester Accommodation BID. The team also provided us with excellent resources and information for our conference guests, to help them find their way around Manchester, as well as good places to eat and other attractions in the city.
The University of Manchester Conferences and Venues team were a vital component of our ability to organise the conference. They provided support in terms of organising the conference (in terms of rooms, catering, the onsite support before and during the conference event), technical support, and just generally helping with the smooth running of the event.
We also received invaluable assistance from Conference Partners International, our PCO partner. Their expertise in supporting us as Conference Chairs, helping with the planning, managing the abstract and paper submissions process, as well as providing seamless on-site support, was key to the success of NI2024.”.
What does being an Mbassador mean to you and what would be your key message to academics considering bidding to host events in Manchester?
“Being an Mbassador means I get the opportunity to link with others who have provided events in the City, and also learn from their experiences. My key message to others considering hosting events here in Manchester is to reach out early to the Manchester Convention Bureau - as they can help you with identifying the resources and networks you need to make the event a huge success.”
