Research Conference 2026

Celebrate and debate exciting and diverse research happening at Hartpury across our specialisms of agriculture, animal, business, equine, psychology, sport, and veterinary nursing sectors.

This annual event communicates and celebrates the exciting research and applications of research at Hartpury University. 

We are also pleased to welcome two outstanding keynote speakers;

Dr Wahbi El-Bouri. Wahbi is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, where he leads the Virtual Vascular Human research group. His interdisciplinary work focuses on developing Digital Twin technologies that combine physics, mathematics, engineering, and patient data to simulate complex biological and healthcare systems. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Wahbi received his MEng and DPhil from the University of Oxford before moving into cardiovascular medicine and translational healthcare research. His team has developed digital simulations of stroke and its treatment, ageing retinas, and heart dynamics, with the aim of improving risk prediction, product testing, and preventative health. He has been funded by the European Union, the Royal Society, and UK research councils to continue to develop these healthcare Digital Twins, and advises start-ups on digital twins in health. Wahbi will explore how Digital Twin approaches can support innovation across medical and veterinary research, helping to de-risk interventions, improve decision-making, and accelerate the development of new therapies and technologies.

Roly Owers is a qualified veterinary surgeon and has been Chief Executive of the charity World Horse Welfare since 2008. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1992 and acquired a Master’s degree in Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1997. His previous veterinary roles included the Blue Cross and Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Roly plays an active role in much of World Horse Welfare’s work supporting the horse-human relationship, and as a Director of the British Horse Council he regularly liaises on policy with Defra, the devolved administrations and Ministers. He also advises the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on horse Welfare, as well as other national federations. Roly is currently Treasurer of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), Chairman of the UK Equine Disease Coalition, a Director of the British Horse Council, a Board member of the European Horse Network and Treasurer of the World Federation for Animals.

During parallel sessions we will share exciting new research from all areas at Hartpury.

Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Please use the button below to book.

Want to be a part of the Conference? The abstract window is now open! Please see guidelines via the button below, and submit by midday on 28 May 2026.