The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) has announced the speaker programme for its forthcoming annual spring conference and exhibition - the largest clinical research event of its kind in Europe
The conference - 'Communication in clinical research: challenges in a complex world' takes place on 8-9 April 2008 at the ICC in Birmingham and will feature Daily Telegraph youth science writer award winner and senior press officer at the Science Media Centre, Claire Bithell, as the keynote speaker.
The two-day conference will provide a platform for the world's clinical research professionals to meet and learn from each other.
It will feature more speakers than ever before, with 30 leading industry figures addressing the delegates across five parallel sessions.
The speaker timetable is filled with presentations from industry experts representing many of the leading clinical research organisations including Pfizer, i3 Research, and Cancer Research UK.
The communications theme will be covered in many of the presentations, highlights include media coverage of science, operating effectively in a global workplace and how effective communication plays a valuable part in tackling the lifestyle diseases of tomorrow.
Susan Ollier, chair of the ICR, commented: "Year on year we have improved and expanded our annual conference based on member feedback and so we are sure that there really is something for everyone.
"This year we have more than 30 speakers presenting, and with the addition of our speed networking sessions, I'm confident we're creating our best event yet".
The conference also incorporates the ICR's annual general meeting and a poster competition sponsored by ACM-Pivotal with a prize awarded for the best poster in each category.
The deadline for submitting posters this year has been extended to Friday 29 February.
Throughout the conference delegates will be able to meet with ICR staff at its dedicated stand in the registration area.
There they can discuss the range of training courses and research materials available to members and watch regular demonstrations of the ICR's eLearning programmes.
In addition, an internet cafe will be open to help delegates keep in touch with work and the series of speed networking sessions, hosted by the ICR special interest groups, provide a novel way of gaining new contacts and fostering existing relationships.
Ollier added: "In this electronic age, it's good to get back to face-to-face meetings.
"The conference not only gives us an ideal opportunity to meet with our members but it gives the delegates a chance to meet with each other to discuss ideas and forge relationships".
The ICR spring conference has grown in recent years to become the key event in the clinical research calendar.
It regularly attracts more than 1000 industry professionals from across the globe and features the biggest exhibition of its kind in Europe with over 130 organisations represented.
