Report: Metamaterials UK Conference & Forum 2026

The Metamaterials UK Conference & Forum 2026 marked the fifth annual gathering of the UK’s metamaterials community, bringing together academia, industry, and government for three days of collaboration, insight, and strategic discussion. Held from 16^th–18^th  June 2026 at Tortworth Court, Gloucestershire, the conference centred on the theme ’Tomorrow’s Metamaterials: Shaping the Future’, highlighting both current advances and future opportunities across the field. The event was sponsored by the EPSRC, Dstl, and the Henry Royce Institute.

Event Overview

‘We need to understand things from the other side [industry], that’s what you’ve initiated here […] Groups like this help bridge that chasm.’

Professor David Smith

The conference provided a critical platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and shaping the future direction of the UK metamaterials ecosystem. The event attracted approximately 130 delegates, with around 20% representing industry and government, ensuring a strong mix of perspectives from across the research and innovation pipeline.

The programme combined technical academic presentations with high-level strategic discussions, creating a balanced agenda that reflected both fundamental science and translational impact.

Speakers and Contributions

The conference featured an outstanding line-up of internationally recognised speakers and community leaders. Highlights included keynote and invited talks from:

• Professor Andrea Alù (Keynote Speaker)
• Professor David Smith
• Professor Mathias Fink
• Professor Martin van Hecke
• Professor Jeremy Baumberg
• Professor Michail Kiziroglou
• Professor Riccardo Sapienza

The programme also showcased emerging talent and research through presentations from UKMMN Pump Prime awardees, including Lawrence Singleton, Shruti Mandhani, Finn Box, Riccardo Degl’Innocenti, Felix Langfeldt, Kai Sun, Tanmoy Mukhopadhyay, and Robert Owen, demonstrating the breadth and creativity of early-stage research across the UK.

In addition, external perspectives from industry and policy were provided by contributors such as Dave Knowles, Peter Woolliams (NPL), Matt Rooney (Institution of Mechanical Engineers), Helen Meese, Greg Smith (BAE Systems), and Chris Kavanagh (EV Energy), enriching discussions around translation and real-world impact.

Programme Highlights

The three-day programme was structured to balance scientific discovery, strategic insight, and application-focused discussion:

• Day One set the scene with an overview of the UK metamaterials landscape, including funding priorities and national strategy, followed by a focus on the Manufacturing Challenge Area, addressing scale-up and collaboration opportunities.
• Day Two explored fundamental science and emerging research, featuring the keynote by Professor Andrea Alù, and technical talks from the esteemed speakers; Special Interest Group (SIG) activity reports; alongside discussions on national programmes, policy direction, featuring speakers from the Institute of Physics, DSIT, the Henry Royce Institute, Innovate UK.
• Day Three focused on applications and future challenges, covering key areas including health, space & aviation, and sustainability, with roundtable sessions identifying priority opportunities for the coming years.

Interactive formats. including panels, roundtables, and the popular ‘Just a Minute’ poster session, encouraged active participation and facilitated meaningful connections across disciplines.

Key Outcomes and Impact

The conference delivered significant value to attendees and the wider community, including:

• Increased awareness of the national strategic landscape for metamaterials
• Generation of new ideas for outreach and engagement
• Formation of new collaborations and connections across institutions and sectors
• Enhanced understanding of how metamaterials can drive market growth and innovation
• Tangible progress in identifying and advancing real-world applications
• Valuable insights into national materials strategy from leaders such as Dave Knowles and Neil Witten

The event also reinforced the importance of aligning fundamental research with translation and commercialisation, ensuring continued investment and impact within the field.

Looking Ahead

‘The lighting of the fire is crucial, because even with a great concept, without the people to drive it forward, it won’t go anywhere. We hope that introducing [the] 4th dimension will provide inspiration for another generation. But we need to ask, what is the next fire we light?’

Professor Sir John Pendry

Building on the success of the 2026 conference, the UK Metamaterials Network will continue to engage the community through the development and publication of the upcoming National Metamaterials Roadmap, which has been developed in consultation with the community by the Metamaterials Strategy Action Group†, providing strategic direction for the coming years.

The next Metamaterials UK Conference & Forum is already planned for 18^th – 20^th May 2027, offering another opportunity to build on momentum, strengthen collaborations, and continue advancing the UK’s leadership in metamaterials innovation.

Conclusion

The Metamaterials UK Conference & Forum 2026 successfully brought together a diverse and engaged community to explore the future of metamaterials. By combining world-leading science with strategic dialogue and collaborative activity, the event has further strengthened the UK’s position at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, while laying the foundations for continued innovation and impact.