National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners

Wednesday 17 February 2027, 9:15 am - 3:15 pm, online 
This event is delivered in partnership by the CDI, iCeGS, Graduate Futures Institute and NICEC

Book your free place

Overview

The National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners is an annual event, brought to you in partnership by the CDI, iCeGS, the Graduate Futures Institute and NICEC.

Theme for 2027: Practitioners and researchers connecting innovation and diversity across settings and groups

The National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners will bring together practitioners and researchers from across careers and employability to explore how connecting innovation and diversity can strengthen career development practice across different settings, communities, and groups. The conference will showcase how collaboration between practitioners and researchers generates new insights, challenges established thinking, and supports more inclusive and effective approaches to careers work.

Through a range of expert keynotes, panel discussions, interactive parallel sessions, and a research poster fair, attendees will engage with research and practice that reflects the diversity of the people, places, and contexts that shape career development. The programme will highlight innovative approaches to supporting different groups and demonstrate how evidence can be used to address emerging opportunities and challenges across the sector. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we will explore how innovation can be fostered across settings and how a broader range of voices and experiences can contribute to a richer and more representative evidence base.

Delivered free of charge, the conference is open to all those working in careers and employability, as well as anyone with an interest in career development research and practice. Whether you are actively conducting research, applying evidence in your daily work, or looking to develop your understanding of research-informed practice, the event will offer valuable opportunities for learning, discussion, and collaboration. 

We encourage participants from all backgrounds, settings and levels of research experience, and look forward to creating an inclusive environment where practitioners and researchers can connect, collaborate and contribute to the future development of careers practice.

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Poster competition

Career practitioners and students engaged in research of any type are invited to present a poster at this conference. There are many benefits in doing this:

• Tell people about your research
• Gain interest and feedback
• Engage in useful discussion and maybe collaboration
• Share your findings and prepare for wider dissemination

You can be at any stage of the research process, so your poster might cover anything from early plans for the methodology or literature review, right through to findings and analysis of a near-complete research project. The aim is to inform and inspire other potential practitioner researchers.

During the Conference, delegates will vote for their favourite poster. We offer a prize bundle for the winning poster entry – watch this space for more details! The poster winner will be announced during the closing session of the Conference.

How to produce and submit a research poster

• Further information on producing a poster and presenting at the Conference
• You can view last year’s posters online. Congratulations again to our award winner Robin Stevens whose poster explored Time, Models, and Meaning: Exploring One-to-One Careers Guidance Practice.

Your poster should be submitted to [email protected] by Friday 22 January 2027

If you would like a conversation with someone to help you to develop your poster, please contact Claire Toogood at [email protected]. 

Why attend?

Many people see research as something only undertaken by academic staff, or aren’t sure how or where to get started. We want to inspire all career development practitioners to develop their confidence, undertake research, develop the evidence base and contribute to the professionalisation of the sector. We want you to celebrate your research and to talk about how this has informed your own and others' practice.

Cost

CDI, the Graduate Futures Institute and NICEC members or Fellows                            FREE

Non - members                                                                                                              FREE

Student Members of iCeGS, CDI, the Graduate Futures Institute and NICEC                FREE