We feel that opportunities for early career researchers (ECRs) to present basic cardiovascular research are limited.  Smaller cardiovascular conferences are often restricted to specific geographical regions, and restrict ECRs from networking with the national and international research community. Furthermore, the larger cardiovascular conferences are dominated by clinical research, and typically only senior investigators are given the opportunity to present, whereas ECRs are often limited to poster presentations. Thus, occasions for ECRs to showcase cutting-edge basic science research are rare, and the opportunities for them to network at a national and international level and make an impact in the research community are limited.

Therefore, we applied to the joint early career life scientists' symposium scheme funded by the Physiological Society, the Biochemical Society, and the British Pharmacological Society to host a one day symposium here at the University of Manchester.  Aided by additional funding from the University, and a British Heart Foundation Accelerator Award, we hope to provide you with ample opportunity to present your work and meet face to face with your peers to form new networks and collaborations. Registration is free, there'll be plenty of food and drink, and we will have a number of prizes kindly sponsored by Danish Myotechnology. Hope to see you on the 24th November!