EAN Congress 2026: Evolution or revolution?

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EAN Congress 2026: Evolution or revolution invites delegates to explore whether incremental change in engineering education is enough to make it fit-for-purpose in the face of significant global and sectoral challenges – or whether engineering education now demands something more radical. As global challenges intensify, disciplinary boundaries blur, and AI reshapes every profession, there is a broad consensus now that engineers of the 21st century must pair technical expertise with sustainability literacy, ethical awareness and an entrepreneurial mindset. This year’s EPC Congress explores what a truly “fit‑for‑purpose” engineering education looks like – one that harnesses AI while safeguarding against its risks, embraces interdisciplinary thinking, and expands the role of active and experiential pedagogies – and critically, how we can deliver this. Through provocative presentations and discussion, the congress will examine who engineering education serves and how institutions can reimagine their role in shaping future‑ready engineers.

The EAN Annual Congress is the flagship event in the EPC calendar. Join us in Glasgow between 17th-19th June for Congress 2026. Our theme this year is Evolution or revolution?

Welcome to Glasgow, the UK’s friendliest city. Glasgow is a city full of warmth, character and culture where you can discover vibrant streets, welcoming locals and a spirit that makes it truly unique.

This year, Congress boasts an impressive line-up of speakers – as always – and offers you sessions, panels and activities to inform, inspire and entertain you. Watch this space for speaker announcements.

Wednesday 17th June

Thursday 18th June

Friday 19th June

Dr Chris Bell is an Associate Professor in the School of Physics at the University of Bristol and Academic Director for Recruitment and Admissions in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He oversees undergraduate admissions, recruitment strategy and widening participation across the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on advanced quantum and electronic materials, particularly thin-film heterostructures and low-dimensional systems.
Professor Lisa Brodie is Acting Managing Director, Chief Academic Officer, and Executive Dean at ASU London (formerly TEDI-London). A Chartered Engineer and bold disruptor in engineering education, she builds programmes from scratch, reimagines curricula, champions inclusion, and turns ideas into action. From award-winning facilities to pioneering neurodiverse engineer initiatives, Lisa drives transformative change that shapes the next generation of engineers who won’t settle for incremental progress. Her career spans industry, academia, and national leadership, including service on the Engineering Professors’ Council.
Joy leads Independent Higher Education’s policy development and public affairs activity, as well as facilitating good practice across the independent sector. She built the IHE Launchpad programme, which supports start-up and step-up higher education providers to join the regulated HE sector in the UK. She sits on national taskforces and working groups focused on cold spots in HE, mergers and acquisitions, and regional tertiary collaboration. Before joining IHE in July 2015, Joy spent over 10 years working in the British and Canadian education sectors, working from within universities, independent providers, students’ unions, and national student and higher education sector organisations.
Phil serves as the Dean of Education for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast. With a background as a Professor of Computer Science Education, he is particularly passionate about technology and its implications for the future for education in a rapidly evolving world. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and received a National Teaching Fellowship for improving alignment across primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
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Jil MacBryde is Professor of Innovation and Operations Management within Strathclyde Business School. She was Associate Principal, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise at Strathclyde University from Jan 24 to Jan 26. Jill is Co-Director of the ESRC Made Smarter “InterAct” network, which aims to bring insights from the social sciences to support the innovation and diffusion of digital technologies that will result in a stronger, more resilient, manufacturing base. Jill was previously Director of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship. She is currently a member of the Innovate UK/ESRC Innovation and Research Caucus.
With over 20 years of experience in higher education (HE), Elena is a nationally and internationally recognised expert and leader in enterprise and engineering education, inclusive and international learning and teaching, and change management. Elena has a distinguished record of achievements and recognitions, including being a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the first twelve Principal Fellows of the AdvanceHE/HEA in the UK, and the 2020 Woman of the Year in Technology. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Chartered Management Institute, and the Women's Engineering Society. Elena is passionate about engaging and empowering students, staff, and stakeholders through innovative and impactful global educational initiatives and programmes. She is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of EDT, a nationwide educational charity that provides STE(A)M-focused opportunities for young people. Elena is also President of, her Alma Mater’s Mexican, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León’s International Advisory Board. Professor Rodriguez-Falcón famously led the creation of the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) as President and CEO, a pioneering and ambitious higher education institute to transform engineering education in the UK. Before joining Study Group, Elena was also Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), where she had oversight of the academic portfolio and strategy of the institution. Elena's mission is to drive change and innovation in HE, to support and empower international students, and to inspire the next generation of socially aware change makers.

Help your students celebrate their success through the coveted Hammermen Student Prize. There is a cash award of up to £500 and FIVE totally free places at the 2026 Engineering Academics Network Annual Congress up for grabs.

The prize celebrates the achievements of different engineering students at the EAN Annual Congress. Following the resounding student success at Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester in 2025, we will be showcasing the Student Awards live as part of Congress 2026: Evolution or revolution? This is the big event in the EAN calendar.

Please encourage your students (undergraduate, postgraduate or KTP associate) to apply by submitting a 100-word abstract for a poster on the theme Change that challenges. This might be something students are already working on for their final year project, or something from within their engineering studies which has really inspired them.

More information…

We are delighted to be able to offer 5 early career staff an EPC sponsored place at Congress 2026.

Please see the full eligibility criteria below:

  • You must be employed as an academic in an Engineering discipline at an institution that is a member of the EPC or you must be an individual member of the Engineering Academics Network.
  •  You must not have been employed in any academic post(s) for longer than a sum of five years.
  • Academics previously attending Congress on a free ECS place are not eligible for this offer (but can book a heavily discounted rate).
  • The free place offer is for a full congress ticket plus congress dinner and optional basic B&B accommodation.
  • Travel and other expenses to attend are not included.
  • You will be expected to attend the whole of Congress.
  • Only one free place per member institution (non-member institutions are not eligible for this offer).
    Places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis to those eligible for them.
  • Successful applicants will be expected to submit a brief report following their attendance.
  • Please note that if an individual if found not to be eligible, they will be responsible for the full Congress fee.

We are delighted to welcome you to a host of networking spaces, including a Civic Welcome from the City of Glasgow and local activities.

Congress dinner will be held this year at Merchants House. We’ll meet in the Directors room for a drinks reception and dine in the Grand Hall.

 

Glasgow welcomes you!

Tickets for Congress do not include accommodation (with the exception of the 10 fully free places for early career staff and students). If needed, please make your own arrangements. We will be happy to offer advice if we can.

Details of hotels near University of Strathclyde Learning & Teaching Building can be found here.

The exhibition will also include the shortlisted posters for the David K Harrison Hammermen Student Award.

Contact us to secure your place.

The Congress, which runs over three days, attracts between 80 and 150 delegates, most of whom are decision-makers and budget controllers. The first day is devoted to networking followed by two days packed with high-profile and expert speakers.

Exhibitor packages from £990

Sponsorship packages available – contact us for details. We tailor packages to help you reach our members.

For further details, contact j.rich@epc.ac.uk or phone 078-1111 4292 or admin@epc.ac.uk

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