About the Conference 

HydroEco is back! The 8^th international multidisciplinary conference on the topic of “HydroEcology Meets One Health” will take place from 14^th – 18^th September 2026 at the University of Birmingham, UK.  

The interface of water and health is of great importance to research, the environment and society as we see increasing pressures including hydrological extremes and water pollution, effecting water security and global health.  

This event will bring together researchers, public and private sector practitioners, regulators, and NGOs, to exchange knowledge, experience and best practice.  

Ecohydrology as a scientific discipline has been emerging from the need to address the interaction and feedback between ecological, hydrological, geomorphological and atmospheric processes, and aims to understand and predict fast changing aquatic-terrestrial environments. Over the last decade, the scientific discipline of Ecohydrology has seen rapid technological and conceptual developments. One Health approaches acknowledge that tackling interconnected environmental and human health challenges requires understanding the links between human, environmental and animal health. There is therefore great potential to utilise process understanding of ecohydrological mechanisms, traits and functions to underline solutions to global One Health challenges.   

The highly dynamic and often non-linear behaviour of ecohydrological processes pose unique challenges in understanding, monitoring and conserving aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Complex process interactions often cause ecohydrological processes to show pronounced temporal dynamics and exhibit marked non-linear behaviour in response to environmental change. Such behaviour manifests itself by the occurrence of distinct thresholds, tipping points or hot moments, periods of enhanced (re)activity and rapid regime shifts; but may also be associated with pronounced spatial heterogeneity, producing locations of enhanced activity or hot spots.

Join global experts investigating the links between water systems, ecosystem dynamics, and human health.  The 8th international conference in the series brings together, for the first time, interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners from hydrology, ecohydrology, environmental and public health, social sciences, and policy to explore the interconnected challenges of water, health, and sustainability within a One Health framework. Over five days, the event will feature keynote talks, interactive panels, and research showcases designed to foster meaningful dialogue and spark innovative approaches. With a strong focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration, the conference welcomes academics, students, policymakers, and industry professionals working at the intersection of water and health. 

Programme

The conference will cover a broad range of topics including: 

• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)  

• Innovative experimental technologies and modelling approaches at the interface between hydrology and human health  

• Relationships of climate change, hydrology and health  

• Risk from novel entities: contaminants of emerging concern 

• Modelling approaches linking hydrological factors to disease outbreak and spread  

• Study of emerging contaminants, their transport and ecotoxicological and toxicological effects  

• Participatory and citizen science approaches 

• Water Conflicts and Justice   

• Integrated solutions for sustainable water futures 

Schedule at a Glance (subject to change)

• • Researchers and Academics
  • Practitioners and Professionals
  • Government and Regulatory Bodies
  • Industry and Private Sector
  • NGOs and Civil Society
  • Students and Early-Career Researchers

Registration Fees:

Phd Candidate/ECR Registration £400
Early Bird Registration (27th March 2026) £580 
Standard Registration £750 

We are looking into opportunities to further support Early-Career Researchers from Low- and Lower-Middle Income Countries.

Click HERE to register

Registration Includes:

• Entry to all conference sessions, exhibitions and poster displays
• Lunch and light refreshments during the main conference days
• 1 Welcome Event ticket for Sunday September 13th (RSVP required)
• 1 Conference Dinner ticket on Wednesday September 16th (RSVP required)

Payments:

Fees to attend the meeting should be paid in advance using the online payment link. 

Abstract Submissions

Abstract Guidelines: Submit your abstract using the following format and indicate the session topic your work is aligned with.

• The title of the abstract must be in all caps and must not exceed 160 characters. 
• The body of the abstract must adhere to a maximum character count of 1600, including spaces. This is exclusive of the abstract title and the author list. Please make the abstract as informative and representative of your presentation as possible.
• The abstract body should be clear and concise, with abbreviations and acronyms spelled out. 
• It should not include citations. 
• Please state your preference of presentation (oral/poster). 

Abstract Submission Deadline: 27th March 2026 (11:59 PM Local UK Time).  

Register and submit your abstract HERE

Location

The conference will take place at the University of Birmingham. The rooms allocated for the conference are the Staff House Noble Room and the University Centre Avon Room Lecture Theatre. Lunch and poster display will take place in the dedicated catering space outside of the 2 rooms.  

The University Centre is centrally located on campus with many places to get food, drinks, and nearby shopping. It is a 5 minute walk from the University train station. 

Link to the campus map 

Travel Information

About Birmingham

Situated in the heart of the United Kingdom, Birmingham is a dynamic and diverse city celebrated for its rich history, cultural vibrancy, and spirit of innovation. Once at the centre of the Industrial Revolution, the city has evolved into a modern hub for business, education, and creativity, while maintaining the warmth and character that define its heritage.

Birmingham offers something for everyone, from world-class museums, theatres, and galleries to beautiful parks and a thriving food scene that includes several Michelin-starred restaurants. Its extensive canal network, lively shopping districts, and renowned music and cultural festivals make it a city full of energy and discovery.

Well-connected by road, rail, and air, Birmingham serves as an ideal meeting point within the UK. With state-of-the-art venues, excellent accommodation, and a welcoming atmosphere, it provides the perfect backdrop for conferences, events, and exploration alike.

Travelling to and from campus  

Getting to and from the airport

Visa

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Choose a visa – GOV.UK

Accommodation

There is a range of hotels in short proximity to the University of Birmingham:

Edgbaston Park Hotel – on campus

Peter Scott House Birmingham – few minutes away from campus 

Ibis Budget Birmingham Centre – approx 5 minutes away in a taxi

Please use online booking tools to find other suitable accommodation. We have a campus train station, with trains running regularly from Birmingham New Street to University, so you could also find suitable accommodation in Birmingham City Centre.

Committee Members & Organizers

Scientific Advisory Committee 

Stefan Krause (Conference Chair) – University of Birmingham, UK

Iseult Lynch (Conference Chair) – University of Birmingham, UK

Laurent Simon (Conference Chair) – Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France

Liam Kelleher (Conference Chair) – University of Birmingham, UK

Zoraida J. Quiñones-Rivera (Conference Chair) – Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France

Jaswant Singh (Conference Chair) – University of Birmingham, UK

Yan Zheng – SUSTech, China

Jan Seibert–  University of Zurich

Ilja van Meerveld – University of Zurich

Theresa Blume – GFZ Potsdam 

Jeffrey McDonnell – University of Saskatchewan

Bjorn Wissel – Université Claude Bernard Lyon

Local Organizing Committee

Suman – UoB

Jay Dong – BISCA

Conference Sponsorship

If you are interested in more information about becoming a sponsor or would like to be a sponsor, please send an email to hydro-eco2026@contacts.bham.ac.uk with the subject title Hydro-Eco SPONSORSHIP.