Join us for NCL in Action 2026/27: Exploring the future of global health
This year’s NCL in Action series will offer Newcastle graduates, colleagues and students inspiring events, expert speakers, networking opportunities and career-focused learning exploring the picture of health and wellness in a new world order.
1 September 2026
A Picture of Health: Wellbeing in a New World Order
What does the future of health look like? How can we tackle rising inequalities, mental health challenges, workforce shortages and the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence? And what role can each of us play in shaping a healthier future?
These are some of the big questions at the heart of NCL in Action 2026/27, Newcastle University's year-long series that brings together leading researchers, alumni, industry experts, students and communities to explore the issues shaping our world. This year, the programme turns its focus to one of the most important challenges of our time: global health.
Now entering its sixth year, NCL in Action connects people through thought-provoking events, inspiring discussions and practical opportunities to learn from experts and each other. Building on last year's theme of global shifts and disruption, the 2026/27 programme asks what those changes mean for the future of health and wellbeing across the world.
Throughout the year, participants will explore how advances in technology, political change, economic pressures, social inequality and climate disruption are reshaping healthcare. We’ll also examine how communities, organisations and individuals can respond through innovation, collaboration and lifelong learning, while showcasing Newcastle University's internationally recognised strengths in health research and innovation.
Read on to discover how you can get involved.
The new season features events across the UK and around the world. The first event of the programme invites alumni in New York for a special evening with former Newcastle United goalkeeper and honorary graduate Neil "Shaka" Hislop, in aid of Newcastle University's Centre for Cancer. Later in the year, we’ll also be bringing NCL in Action to alumni audiences in China and Malaysia.
For the first on-campus event of the series, the spotlight turns to one of the biggest debates in modern healthcare. How can societies balance individual freedoms with collective responsibility in areas such as vaccination, disease prevention and public health policy? To help us answer that question on 16 October, we’ll be joined by England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty.
November brings a London-based panel exploring whether prevention really is better than cure. Against a backdrop of growing chronic illness and increasing pressure on healthcare systems, speakers will discuss how governments, health professionals and communities can invest in prevention while continuing to support medical breakthroughs and treatments.
And in early 2027, we’ll be turning our attention to supporting alumni professional and personal development amidst this changing landscape, with free virtual wellbeing and leadership CPD programmes. Plus, our new Alumni Connections Café will provide a space to grow networks amongst the university community with fellow alumni determined to build a healthier and fairer future.
Diagnosing societal upheaval
The programme will also tackle one of today's most talked-about technological developments. In partnership with INSIGHTS public lectures, leading experts will examine the potential for artificial intelligence to transform diagnosis, healthcare delivery and drug discovery while confronting important questions around safety, ethics and trust.
Other highlights include a fascinating online lecture exploring the growing phenomenon of climate anxiety, a discussion on public trust and health communication in an age of misinformation, the role of AI in shaping the future of healthcare, and a major London debate examining how politics, markets and social media are changing the way we think about health.
In early summer 2027, the programme concludes with a powerful discussion on health inequalities and whether widening health gaps are the result of policy decisions, societal choices or both. Bringing together leading academics and public health experts, the event promises to tackle one of the defining challenges facing communities across the UK and beyond.
More than events
NCL in Action is about more than attending lectures and debates. Participants will also have access to new online resources and development opportunities designed to help them engage with health issues in practical ways.
The new Health Hub will bring together Newcastle University research, expert insights and practical guidance on some of today's most pressing health challenges. Meanwhile, the Made in Newcastle project will celebrate the University's long history of health innovation, highlighting discoveries and breakthroughs that have made a difference around the world.
Join the conversation
Health affects every aspect of our lives. Whether you're interested in medical innovation, public policy, wellbeing, technology or social change, NCL in Action 2026/27 offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts, connect with the Newcastle University community and contribute to important conversations about the future.
The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. Join us throughout this academic year as we explore the future of global health and discover how, together, we can help shape a healthier world.
