Meeting Theme: Transforming the Boundaries of Donation

Call for Abstracts: Deconstructing Donation Conference 2025

Date: Thursday, 5th June 2025

Venue: Pontio Arts and Media Centre, Bangor University, North Wales

Supported by: British Sociological Association and Wales Kidney Research Unit

Join us at Bangor University for an inspiring day dedicated to the evolving landscape of donation research, where cutting-edge studies, interdisciplinary insights, and critical debates converge. Hosted at the modern Pontio Arts and Media Centre, this conference provides a unique platform to connect with leading thinkers and practitioners committed to advancing the field of donation science.

Meeting Theme, Transforming the Boundaries of Donation

This year we explore the transformative possibilities and ethical complexities of emerging frontiers in organ donation. We will delve into the unprecedented potential of animal-to-human transplants, focusing on its implications, ethical challenges, and future impact on healthcare and society.

Call for Abstracts

We invite submissions that examine the full spectrum of perspectives on donation.

With a special emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, we seek contributions that address the intersection of social science, medicine, and health sciences. In-progress research and student submissions are highly encouraged, fostering a platform for innovative and evolving ideas. Whether your work is complete or ongoing, your insights will help shape the future discourse on donation. Potential themes include but are not limited to:

Theory-driven research examining the ethical and societal implications of novel donation practices.

Innovative methods and public-facing research that bring donation science closer to the community.

Co-productive approaches that engage patients and the public in shaping donation policies.

Patient and public involvement, highlighting the human dimensions of emerging donation practices.

Keynote speakers

We are thrilled to present an insightful keynote address by Dr. Rommel Ravanan.

Rommel is a Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician at Bristol, Associate Medical Director for Innovation and R&D at NHSBT and Treasurer of the British Transplantation Society. Rommel is a member of DHSC’s Implementation Steering group for Organ Utilisation (ISOU) and facilitated the establishment and running of the ISOU Xenotransplantation advisory group. His research interests include high immunological risk transplantation and identifying plus where possible reducing risk of un-warranted variation in access to transplantation. Outside work, Rommel is a foodie, loves snorkelling and cricket. Rommel’s presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the UK’s current context and evolving policy landscape around xenotransplantation, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the critical issues and future directions in this groundbreaking field.

Following this, Assistant Professor Mustafa Al-Haboubi from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Policy Innovation Research Unit will share fascinating findings from the first large-scale and high quality UK-wide survey on public attitudes toward xenotransplantation. His talk will delve into pivotal topics, including public concerns around animal welfare, and the public’s openness to animal-to-human transplants. This presentation promises to shed light on the social and ethical dimensions that are shaping public opinion and policy in the UK.

Presentation Options

Accepted abstracts will be selected for either an oral presentation or poster presentation, providing contributors the chance to present their work to a wide audience of engaged professionals, researchers, and academics.

Conference Details

The conference will be held at the state-of-the-art Pontio Arts and Media Centre in North Wales, within walking distance of Bangor train station. Address: Bangor University, Pontio, Deiniol Rd, Bangor LL57 2TQ. To foster networking and collaborations, speakers are invited to a pre-conference drinks reception and dinner on the evening of Wednesday, 4th June 2025. Further details will follow.

Accommodation within walking distance of the venue is available here -

Management centre

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/management_centre/accommodation.php.en

Also available are University Halls,

You can book online using the below link and codes:
https://conference-bookaccommodation.bangor.ac.uk/
• 1 night £50 per night - code ONE25
• 2-7 nights £35 per night - code ST2025

Important Dates and Registration

Abstract Submission Deadline: 31st January 2025

Notification of Acceptance: 28th February 2025

Registration Fees

Early Bird Registration (before 01st March 2025):

BSA Member: £35

Non-BSA Member: £45

Standard Registration (after 01st March 2025):

Student BSA Member: £45 / Student Non-BSA Member: £50

BSA Member: £55 / Non-BSA Member: £65

REGISTER VIA THIS LINK.(HTTPS://WWW.BRITSOC.CO.UK/EVENTS/KEY-BSA-EVENTS/DECONSTRUCTING-DONATION-CONFERENCE-2025/)

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and interdisciplinary programme. Whether you’re an established researcher, healthcare professional, policy expert, student, person with lived experiences or a general interest, we welcome you to join us in advancing the field of donation.

How to Submit

Please submit your abstracts (maximum 300 words) to l.mclaughlin@bangor.ac.uk before the deadline. Each submission should include a title, author(s) name, affiliation, and broadly follow these headings where relevant, Background/context, aim/objectives, methods, results, conclusion and any (anticipated) contributions to the field.

Accepted oral and poster presenters will be required to register to attend the meeting.

For further details or questions, please contact:

Leah McLaughlin – l.mclaughlin@bangor.ac.uk

Stephanie Parsons – stephanie.parsons@london.northampton.ac.uk

We look forward to your contributions to this vibrant, thought-provoking programme and the chance to welcome you to Bangor for an exciting day dedicated to the future of donation research. Link to more information and advertising - http://www.kidneyresearchunit.wales/events.htm?id=228