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The IRIS 2025 student conferences

have once again showcased the incredible potential of young scientists

July 2025

Held in Exeter, Manchester and London, this year’s conferences brought together over 600 attendees and featured more than 300 scientific posters. Every poster was a testament to the hard work, creativity and teamwork of students from across the country. From early detection tests for prostate cancer to sustainability projects on fast fashion, the diversity and depth of the research presented was inspiring. 

How the Day Works

 

The day unfolds much like a professional scientific conference, featuring poster sessions, keynote speakers, and interactive Q&A segments. Students are given the opportunity to engage with peers from other schools, delve deeper into each other’s research findings, and experience firsthand what it means to have their work scrutinised and celebrated in a public forum.

 

There’s a STEM skills gap and young people need to be interested and excited by the science of tomorrow to help fill it.

Helen Bickford, Education Officer at the British Ecological Society, attended our London conference. She was impressed by the standard of student presentations.
Presenters ranged from Y7 – Y13. Here are some of the Year 7s from Whitstable School talking about their experience of presenting at conference.

A Round of Applause for the Teachers

 

At IRIS, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to do real research whilst at school. Teachers are essential in making this a reality. We’ve loved reading through the event feedback, including from teachers who choose to bring students to conference again and again.

A really positive environment was created which encouraged the students with their presentations. It gave them more confidence.

Making Connections with the Scientific Community

 

By fostering connections with the scientific community and STEM professionals, students are empowered and inspired to pursue careers in STEM.  Panellists and keynote speakers gave an insight on the day-to-day work of scientists and addressed some challenging questions. One student asked Dr. Rachel Grasmeder Allen, a Neuroscientist PhD student at the University of Nottingham, “What’s your least favourite part of the brain?” Engaging discussions like this pique students’ curiosity and demystify the scientific profession.

 

 

With Thanks to our Panellists and Keynote Speakers

 

Dr Eimear Conroy – University of Oxford  

Daisy Richardson – Goonhilly Earth Station 

Barbara Francik – Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, UCL 

Akhil Kumar – Cambridge University  

Tim Gabriel – Manchester Metropolitan University 

Prof. Tom Welton – Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Chemistry

Dr Elizabeth Polgreen – School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh 

Dhara Mistry – Unilever, and IRIS alumni! 

Robert Pedley – Medicines Discovery Catapult 

Dr Olivia Jones – Royal Observatory 

Erin Lowe – Yamazaki Mazak 

Manny Olaiya – Rutherford Appleton Laboratory  

Rachel Grasmeder Allen – University of Nottingham 

Exeter in pictures:

Schools groups registering for conference and getting ready to present!
A student presents his research on using artificial intelligence in mountain rescueConnor from Camborne Science and International Academy presents his research on using A.I. in Mountain Search and Rescue.
Dr Eimear Conroy from the University of Oxford delivers her keynote speechDr Eimear Conroy from the University of Oxford delivers her keynote speech.
Two female students present the project on social media usage at ExeterStudents from The Ladies College Guernsey present the research on removing social media from teens.
A student stands up to ask a question. She is holding a microphone and the crowd around her are listening intentlyA student stands up to ask a question. We had so many great questions at conference this year.
Two girls talking at the Exeter conferenceStudents discuss their questions for the panel

Manchester in pictures:

A female student presents her research findings next to her posterA student shares her research findings during a poster session.
Four female students present their research on stage in ManchesterA group of year 8 students share what they found during the new Elephants on the Move project.
Four panel members on stage in ManchesterGuest panel in Manchester.
A crowd of students clappingStudents cheer and clap for their peers.
Manny Olaiya hold a microphone and presents on stage in ManchesterManny Olaiya delivers his keynote speech.
A female student stands next to her posterA student shares her research during the poster session.

London in pictures:

Two students talk about their research to a teacher during London posters sessionsStudents share their research findings.
A group of students raise their hands to ask questions of the panel.
A boy smiles at the cameraLots of smiles in London.
Dr Jo Foster presents on stage. She is wearing a headset and there are a group of students in the backgroundDr Jo Foster addresses 300 attendees in London.
Dr Olivia Jones and her presentation on stage in LondonDr Olivia Jones and her presentation on stage in London.
The IRIS team pose for a photo outside one of the 2025 conference venues. Director Jo Foster is sat in the middle. The whole team are smiling.IRIS staff. Thank you for joining us at the 2025 IRIS student conferences!

Your school can sign up to an IRIS research project at any point in the year but we recommend getting started in the first term so that students can really delve into the detail and get the most out of conference later in the year.  
 
Find out more about our project topics.