01 December 2025
BSR Annual Conference 2026 (BSR26) will take place 28–30 April 2026 at the Glasgow SEC and online, bringing together more than 2,000 delegates for the UK’s leading rheumatology event. Designed for consultants, trainees, nurses, AHPs, and paediatric and adolescent rheumatology professionals, BSR26 offers three days of cutting-edge education and networking. With over 70 sessions, 100 plus speakers and six months of on demand access, it remains the most comprehensive rheumatology conference in the UK.
We are delighted to announce our BSR26 keynote speakers, each a recognised leader shaping the future of rheumatology research, clinical care and MDT innovation.
Heberden Round: Prof Karl Gaffney
Professor Karl Gaffney, Consultant Rheumatologist and Research Lead at NNUH and Honorary Professor at Norwich Medical School, is a leading authority in axial spondyloarthritis. His national leadership roles include BRITSpA, the BSR axial SpA Targeted Therapy Guidelines Committee and multiple NICE appraisals. He has co-developed award winning education initiatives with NASS and has published more than 200 papers. His Heberden Round will explore current advances and future directions in axial SpA care and research.
Barbara Ansell Address: Prof Kimme Hyrich
Paediatric keynote for BSR26
Professor Kimme Hyrich is Lead of the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research at The University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at Manchester University Hospitals. An international leader in epidemiology and precision medicine, she directs major UK biologics registries including the BSRBR RA and the UK JIA Biologics Register. Her Barbara Ansell Address, the official paediatric keynote at BSR26, will focus on the latest developments in personalised treatment for children and young people with inflammatory arthritis.
Droitwich Lecture: Dr Anne O’Brien
Dr Anne O’Brien, Reader in Physiotherapy at Keele University, is widely recognised for her leadership in rheumatology physiotherapy. Her career includes pioneering Lecturer Practitioner roles, expansion of Allied Health Professions programmes at Keele and internationally adopted PMR education resources. Her research in exercise interventions for rheumatoid arthritis and her national roles in PMR guideline development make her a standout advocate for multidisciplinary care. Her Droitwich Lecture will emphasise the impact of collaborative practice on patient outcomes.
Heberden Oration: Prof Dennis McGonagle
Professor Dennis McGonagle, Section Head of Experimental Rheumatology at the University of Leeds, is known worldwide for transformative work on enthesitis, immune mediated inflammation and MSC based therapies. His theories on disease localisation and immune pathways have shaped modern rheumatology, and his contributions have earned numerous international awards. His Heberden Oration promises to deliver key insights into emerging mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities across rheumatic diseases.
With an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers, BSR26
is set to be one of the most inspiring and informative rheumatology conferences of 2026. Early bird tickets will be available soon. Stay tuned and secure your place at the UK’s flagship rheumatology event.