National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners

Wednesday 18 February 2026, 10 am - 4 pm, online 
This event will be delivered in partnership by the CDI, iCeGS, AGCAS and NICEC

Overview

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

Theme for 2026: Sharing and showcasing practitioner research

The upcoming National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners will focus on supporting careers practitioners in all settings to share their research, showcasing a range of excellent work across the whole careers sector. We’ll also be considering how practitioners can engage effectively with research and the importance of evidence-informed careers practice. As ever, we will have a range of expert keynotes, panel speakers and diverse parallel sessions for attendees, and a research poster fair open to all careers practitioners. 

The event will be recorded to allow anyone not available on the day to catch up, and for the first time the conference is completely free for all those working in careers and employability, or with an interest in this area. 

Many people see research as something undertaken by academics however, we want to inspire all career development practitioners to develop their confidence, undertake research and develop the evidence base. We want you to celebrate your research and to talk about how this has informed your own and others’ practice. 

We encourage all members to attend this conference. You do not have to currently be a researcher to enjoy and learn from this event, and we welcome a range of perspectives and experiences. We look forward to seeing you there!

2025 keynote speakers 


We were pleased to have Dr Gill Frigerio and Dr Kim Allen as our keynote speakers at the Conference. 

 

Dr Gill Frigerio is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick, where she leads on qualifications in Career Studies and Coaching. Her teaching interests cover theory and practice in career coaching; working with vocation and calling; and researching career development practice. She has research interests in intersectional approaches to women's career development, socially just careers work and supporting practitioners as researchers.
               


Dr Kim Allen's work sits at the intersections of youth, culture, gender and work. Her publications cover a range of issues including: youth and graduate transitions and ‘employability’; educational inequalities; and gender, youth and working lives. Among the research projects she has worked on are ‘Celebrity Culture and Young People’s Classed and Gendered Aspirations’ (ESRC); Young women’s transitions in austerity (British Academy); and ‘Living Gender in Diverse Times’ (ESRC).

2025 programme


Our programme is intended to be largely presented by practitioners, for practitioners and aims to encourage those who have an interest in and enthusiasm to undertake research but perhaps lack the confidence. The Conference is held online, and we invite international colleagues to join us.

The online programme includes:
•    Two keynote presentations on research relevant to career development
•    Two panels of practitioner researchers – representing research from the UK and internationally
•    A range of seminars aligned to the conference themes: Connecting research to practice; Building and developing your research community; Stories from career-related research
•    An online poster session*

Schedule

9.15 – 9.55  Helpdesk, networking and viewing posters

10.00 – 10.10  Welcome

10.10 – 10.30  Keynote 1: Gill Frigerio (Associate Professor, chair of NICEC, University of Warwick)

10.40 – 11.30  International panel chaired by Nuala Whelan (Assistant Professor Adult Guidance Counselling, Maynooth University)

  • Michael Healy (National Career Education Manager)
  • Alexander Manners (University Guidance Counsellor, Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School)
  • Miika Kekki (Early Career Academic, University of Derby)

11.30 – 11.45  Poster viewing

11.45 – 12.35  Parallel seminars (1) Choose from 1 of 5

12.45 – 13.30  Lunch break

13.30 – 14.20  Parallel seminars (2) Choose from 1 of 5

14.30 – 15.20  National panel chaired by Tania Lyden (Assistant Professor, University of Warwick)

  • Associate Professor William E. Donald (Associate Professor of Sustainable Careers & Human Resource Management, University of Southampton & Donald Research & Consulting, UK)
  • Priscilla Koinange (Freelance consultant & Freelance Senior Journalist)
  • Emma Lennox (Careers Consultant, Queen's University Belfast)
  • Belinda Nuttall (Independent Career Development Practitioner, Bradgate Sixth Form)

15.30 – 15.50  Keynote 2: Kim Allen (Professor of Sociology of Youth and Culture, University of Leeds)

15.50 – 16.10  Poster winner and closing remarks

Poster Competition - now closed

Career practitioners and students engaged in research of any type are invited to present a poster at this conference; the posters should, where possible, aim to link to the conference sub-themes. There are many benefits for a researcher 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.

How to produce a research poster

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

Prize

The award winner will be announced during the closing session of the Conference and will receive all of the following: 2 complimentary tickets to the UK Career Development awards,  AGCAS training session, 1 year NICEC membership and a copy of set of three CDI handbooks.

*The poster session at the conference is a space for dialogue: for practitioner researchers to present a summary of their work, and for conference delegates to gain an overview of the variety of current or recent research projects.

Why attend?

Many people see research as something undertaken by academics, however, 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.

Audience

Career development practitioners working with young people and adults, including careers advisers, career consultants and coaches, careers leaders, and researchers.

Cost

CDI, AGCAS and NICEC members or Fellows                             £35  

Non - members                                                                          £50

Student Members of iCeGS, CDI, AGCAS and NICEC                FREE

If your employer is paying for your place and you need to use your employer's credit card or you need an invoice, please contact our events team.

Having any trouble?

Having any trouble?

Do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

01384 376464