About the Conference 

Global plastic pollution is on the rise, with micro- and nanoplastic particles and plastic-associated chemicals of concern, posing threats to the environment and human health. Assessing those risks requires detailed understanding of the sources of plastic pollution and of the fate and transport mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastic that determine environmental and human exposures and uptake pathways. Join global experts studying the environmental and human health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics and associated chemicals.

This international event will for the first time bring together interdisciplinary researchers, public and private sector practitioners from environmental, health, social, behavioural and political backgrounds to catalyse discussions of the interconnected plastic challenges in a One Health context. The five-day event will feature keynote talks, interactive panels and research showcases designed to spark meaningful dialogue and innovative approaches. With a strong focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration, the conference welcomes academics, policymakers, students, and industry professionals alike. 

Programme

The conference will cover a broad range of topics including: 

• Interdisciplinary One Health approaches tackling plastic pollution as a systemic challenge 
• Ecotoxicological and toxicological studies revealing the human and environmental health risks of micro- and nanoplastic uptake 
• Determining the mechanisms of human and environmental exposures through identification of the sources and fate of micro- and nanoplastics and plastic-associated chemicals  
• Detection, measurement and modelling of plastic pollution across diverse environments, spatial and temporal scales 
• Examples and approaches of plastic governance, regulation and policy 
• Waste management and circular economy innovations 
• Public awareness initiatives fostering education and behavioural change

Dorte Herzke – NILU, Norway

Zhong Huan – Nanjing University, China

Chelsea Rochman – University of Toronto, Canada

Tamara Galloway – University of Exeter, UK

Richard Thomson – University of Plymouth, UK

Schedule at a Glance (subject to change)

• Environmental scientists and engineers
• Health professionals and toxicologists 
• Social scientists and policy researchers 
• Industry experts in materials, packaging, and waste management 
• NGOs and government agencies 
• Graduate students and Early-Career Researchers 

Registration Fees:

Phd Candidate/ECR Registration £400
Early Bird Registration (Deadline extended to 14 February 2026) £580 
Standard Registration £750 

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 July 5th (RSVP required)
• 1 Conference Dinner ticket on Wednesday July 8th (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 Extended: 14th February 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

Uwe Schneidewind (Conference Chair) – University of Birmingham, UK

Monica Arienzo – Desert Research Institute, USA

Fei Dang – ISSCAS, China

Grace Davies – The University of Queensland, Australia

Helena Guasch – Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Spain

Alice Horton – National Oceanographic Centre, UK

Rachel Kozloski – University of Nevada, USA

Stephane Pesce – INRAE, France

Mohammad Wazne – Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France

Local Organizing Committee

Joshua Panteli – BISCA

Jay Dong – BISCA

Robyn MacPherson – BPN

PlasticUnderground Doctoral Network Facilitators

Florence Huynh – Polymateria Ltd., UK

Dragana Ašćerić – University of Niš, Serbia

Early Career Researcher Network

A community space for PhDs and postdocs in microplastic research, guided by the PlasticUnderground doctoral network to connect, share opportunities and actively contribute to the conference as early career researchers.

Join the Linkedin group here 

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 microplastics2026@contacts.bham.ac.uk with the subject title MnP26 SPONSORSHIP. 

Please click here for more detailed sponsorship information.