3rd - 5th September 2025
Summary
Opening Plenary led by Fran Scott - Engineering Broadcaster, and Pyrotechnician – returning by popular demand with a brand-new session
What to expect
Plenary Session 1: Betamax – How to be Wrong When You Are Right
With multiple BAFTA nominations and a resume that includes hosting CBBC’s Absolute Genius, BBC One’s What They Really Mean For You, and The Robot Podcast, Fran brings science to life like no other.
Session Synopsis:
Is the most logical solution the one that always wins? If only it was that simple. Fran joins us again this year and through her signature destructive, home-spun demonstrations, guides us through the illogical world of being right.
Having had a year to reprogramme her explosive micro:bit and comfort her screaming carrot-keyboard, she has rummaged, soldered, and hammered away to build new toys to physically show the concepts she has in her head.
If you’ve ever had the answer, but struggled to convince others to join you - this is the talk for you.
Don’t miss this dynamic start to the conference.
Take advantage of our 3 for 2 offer! If you're from a smaller university or operating with a tighter budget, this is a great opportunity to support your developing or early-career engineers. The conference provides a valuable platform for professional growth, offering technical content, peer learning, and exposure to sector-wide best practice.
Encouraging attendance for junior team members can:
Boost confidence and engagement
Provide CPD opportunities in a supportive environment
Help them build networks and broaden their understanding of the wider estates and engineering landscape
This year’s conference is being held at Newcastle University from 3rd - 5th September, and we’re delighted to let you know about some of the great speakers and workshop sessions we have planned under our conference theme: ‘The Modern University Estate – Engineering and Environmental Compliance’.
We offer a variety of ticket options designed to accommodate different preferences and schedules. Delegate Day Rate (DDR) tickets are available at a reduced cost and include many benefits of full conference tickets. You can also choose a Day and Evening ticket, which grants access to the full daytime programme and exhibition on Thursday 4th September, as well as attendance at the evening Gala Dinner. For more ticket types please see the attached document.
All full conference tickets include access to a packed, insightful programme and exhibition, two nights' accommodation on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, tickets to the Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, located on campus at Newcastle University and the Gala Dinner on Thursday, at The Biscuit Factory. This ticket type also includes the option to join one of the organised excursions, and all your refreshments throughout the conference.
Please keep an eye out on your emails for exciting session and speaker announcements over the coming weeks!
Click here to download our "Easy Travel to Newcastle" document.
Click here to download our "Letter to the Directors of Estates".
With best wishes,
Billy Ferguson
National Chair of the Association of University Engineers
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE
Best wishes,
Billy Ferguson
National Chair of the Association of University Engineers
Watch the highlights of the 2024 Conference here
Read all about Conference 2024 here (Includes plenary sessions pdfs, exhibitor contact details, slideshow etc)
Enquiries
Interested in exhibiting? Contact Annabel annabel@yourvision-events.com
Interested in sponsoring? Read about sponsorship packages here Contact Annabel annabel@yourvision-events.com
General enquiries? Contact info@aue.ac.uk