Atmospheric Science Forward Look - Round Table Expression of Interest

Event overview

The Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are seeking input to shape our understanding of how atmospheric science can help deliver on current and potential future environmental and government priorities.

As part of wider consultation activity, we are seeking attendees for an in-person round table discussions in Manchester on Thursday 1 October 2026.

We are running an open invite for attendees for this event, where anyone can submit an expression of interest to join the round table discussions. We are keen to hear from a wide variety of members of the research and innovation community, including researchers (including those in all career stages), technicians, charities, third sector and people with lived experience. NERC also welcomes other insights and opinions outside of the named groups above.

If you are invited to attend, you must be available to join us in-person at a Manchester city centre location. Exact venue is to be confirmed but will be within walking distance of Manchester Picadilly train station. Unfortunately, in this instance, NERC is unable to cover any travel costs associated with your participation at the round table, or offer hybrid attendance.

This activity is running in conjunction with an online consultation. You can also use the camera application on your smartphone to scan the below QR code to access the digital consultation.

The workshop will focus on the ‘Now’, ‘Next’ and ‘Future’ of Atmospheric Science. We’re seeking your views on understanding areas of importance to sustain and grow world-class atmospheric science in the UK, current and future priority areas to achieve this, and the potential role of frontier technologies. 

We will do this whilst simultaneously supporting the delivery of UKRI mission to Advance Knowledge, Improve Lives and Drive Growth, in support of wider Government Industrial Strategy missions to improve local economies and public services, contribute towards a safe and resilient environment, support healthcare breakthroughs that improve everyday life and improving opportunities for the next generation.

Throughout the consultation and round table activity, NERC will take a broad definition of atmospheric science to cover all areas of research on the Earth’s atmosphere, including; weather, climate, air quality and related processes and impacts on natural and managed environments, health and prosperity. This may include research and innovation that contributes towards, for example, advanced climate prediction, hazardous weather forecasting, and air quality.

More information about NERC’s remit can be found on our remit, programmes and priorities webpage.

Submit your expression of interest to join the round table discussion

We anticipate this form will take you no more than 3 to 5 minutes to complete. 

Responses submitted through this form will be provided directly to NERC. Some information will be shared with the event facilitator to inform their event planning as well as with the venue to ensure dietary requirements are met, where applicable.

Please note expressions of interest will be open from 24 July, and closing 17 September.

What happens next

In order for participants to prepare for the workshop, an agenda with discussion points will be shared with invited attendees in advance of the workshop date.

The results of this activity, and the wider consultation will support UKRI-NERC in developing a roadmap to ensure UK science has access to the capabilities, infrastructure, technologies and skills to continue delivering excellent environmental science research into the future.

There will be space for approximately 50 participants to join this in-person workshop.

NERC will review all expressions of interest submitted and will carefully select a list of attendees from a variety of disciplines and perspectives to be invited to join the round table discussions. We will select participants ensuring a balanced representation of subject area specialists and expertise, organisations, seniority levels, roles across research and innovation and perspectives on atmospheric science and the areas it touches across research and our everyday lives.

You will be contacted via email by 24 September with the outcome of your expression of interest.

We politely request that, if you are no longer able to attend the event and/or would like to withdraw your expression of interest, to please contact us via email and let us know.

Findings from this consultation, subsequently planned round tables and a public dialogue, will contribute towards NERC’s evidence base to inform future decision making. This may include the development and implementation of future policies.

For more information, please contact atmospheric@nerc.ukri.org