MedCommsNetworking Pre-Christmas Event 2025

Join us for our final MedComms Networking event of the year – a festive afternoon of learning, sharing insights, and connecting with colleagues across the MedComms community. Expect thought-provoking talks, lively discussions, and of course, homemade mince pies! 🥧 If you’re unable to join us in person, simply follow the link ( https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/a5vZIQ4ORXat4KeQ7Y3fig#/registration) to register and take part online — a Zoom link will be sent to your email after registering. Please do not hesitate to contact aW5mbyB8IG1lZHNjaWNvbW1zbmV0ICEgb3Jn, if you require anymore information

📅 Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
🕒 Time: 13:30 – 17:00 (GMT)
🌐 Format: Hybrid – join in person or via Zoom
📍 Venue: Business School, 3rd Floor Seminar Room BS 3.11, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH
💷 Free to attend

13:30 – 14:00 | Arrival & refreshments
14:00 – 14:05 | Welcome – Tim Hardman & Steven Walker (MedSciCommsNet)
14:05 – 14:30 | Martin Delahunty (Director, Inspiring Stem Acedemic Publishing and Prresident of EMWA) – “Current State of Publishing”
14:30 – 14:55 | Corinne Swainger (Freelance medical copywriter) – “New AI opportinities for Medcomms writers and editors"
14:55 – 15:15 | Steph Carter & Vicki Evans (Freelance Writers) – “Let’s talk rates: What are MedComms freelancers charging in 2025?”
15:15 – 15:30 | Break & homemade mince pies 🥧
15:30 - 16:00 | Caroline Halford (Business Development Director for Independant Medical Education) & Leah Bundy (Editorial Lead, Springer Health + IME- "One message, many voices- adapting medical education for every audience"

16:00 – 16:30 | Alice Choi (President, Envision Medical Communications) – “MedComms: past, present, and do we have a future?”
16:30 – 16:50 | Tim Hardman & Steven Walker – Christmas Prize Quiz 🎁
16:50 – 17:00 | Discussion on future events & close

🍻 17:00 onwards – Informal networking at The Salutation pub on campus

🎅 Celebrate the festive season with colleagues, reflect on 2025, and look ahead to an exciting year in MedComms!

Info: In this session, Martin Delahunty, President of EMWA, explores the evolving landscape of scientific publishing. He’ll discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping how medical and scientific content is created, shared, and consumed — from open access and AI tools to the future of peer review.

Info: In this session, Corinne Swainger, an experienced medical journalist, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the MedComms landscape. She’ll highlight practical ways writers and editors can harness AI to improve efficiency, creativity, and quality — while maintaining accuracy, ethics, and the human touch that underpins effective medical communication.

Info: Freelance medical writers and editors form a vital part of the MedComms ecosystem — but how are rates evolving in 2025? In this open and practical discussion, Steph Carter and Vicki Evans share insights from across the freelance community, exploring current trends, fair pricing, and how to balance workload, value, and client expectations in a changing market.

Info: We explore how independent medical education can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of global audiences. From clinicians and policymakers to patients and the public, they’ll discuss strategies for maintaining scientific integrity while adapting tone, format, and messaging — ensuring one clear message resonates across many voices.

Info: As the MedComms industry continues to evolve, what can we learn from its past — and how can we prepare for what’s ahead? Alice Choi, President of Envision Medical Communications and Chair of the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA), reflects on how the field has transformed over the years and shares her perspective on the challenges and opportunities that will define its future.

Also check out other Arts events in Manchester, Literary Art events in Manchester.