Implementation Science Conference 2026 brings international experts to UL

Pictured at the Making it Work: The Practice and Power of Implementation Science 2026 conference at the University of Limerick were, Professor Laurence Taggart, Queen’s University Belfast; Professor Carl May, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Professor Anne MacFarlane, HRI; Professor Geoffrey Curran, University of Arkansas; Professor Shane Kilcommins, President, University of Limerick; Professor Laura Keyes, CIRcUL Director; Professor Allison Metz, University of North Carolina; Professor Seán Redmond, University of Limerick; Professor Alice Coffey, Emeritus Professor and CIRcUL co-founder. Picture: Alan Place

International experts have gathered at UL for the Implementation Science Conference 2026 to share how evidence-based research can be translated into real-world impact

The Implementation Science Conference 2026 hosted by the Centre for Implementation Research at University of Limerick (CIRcUL), welcomed more than 170 delegates from 14 countries to the UL campus.

Titled “Making It Work: The Practice and Power of Implementation Science”, the conference highlighted the growing importance of implementation science, a field focused on bridging the gap between research and practice to improve outcomes in complex, real-world settings.

Representing over 60 organisations worldwide across healthcare services, academia and policy sectors, the three-day conference brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners.

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Opening the conference President of UL Professor Shane Kilcommins welcomed attendees and emphasised the University’s commitment to impactful research, he said, “Implementation science speaks directly to one of the central challenges we face today: closing the gap between what we know works and what is delivered in practice.

“At UL, we see our role not only in generating knowledge, but in ensuring that it is applied, shared and translated into meaningful impact. The work of CIRcUL exemplifies this commitment, bringing together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to address complex societal challenges.

“This conference highlights the power of collaboration in turning evidence into action and improving outcomes across health services, academia and public sector.”

The opening keynote was delivered by Professor Geoffrey Curran, University of Arkansas, who explored the evolving role of evidence in implementation science and the challenges of translating research into practice.

Professor Carl May, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, examined the implications of artificial intelligence for implementation science, highlighting the changing nature of evidence in complex systems.

A defining feature of the conference was its emphasis on collaboration and practical problem-solving. Interactive “think-tank” sessions brought participants together to address key challenges, with the aim of producing tangible outputs such as policy proposals, conceptual frameworks and academic publications.

These sessions focused on topics including ethics in implementation research, evidence synthesis, policy implementation and the challenges of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Speaking about the event, Dr Laura Keyes, Director of CIRcUL, said:

“The conference created a valuable space for collaboration across disciplines and sectors. By bringing together diverse perspectives, participants were able to move beyond discussion and towards actionable solutions that can strengthen how evidence is implemented in practice.”

Implementation clinics, led by Professor Allison Metz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, alongside workshops and parallel sessions, provided participants with valuable opportunities to explore key themes such as digital health systems, leadership development, behavioural change, and the scalability and sustainability of interventions in real-world settings.

The conference also featured a rich programme of oral and poster presentations, showcasing research from Ireland and internationally. Key topics included the implementation of programmes in areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, intellectual disability services, healthcare systems improvement and community-based interventions, reflecting the transdisciplinary nature of the field.

A strong emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion ran throughout the programme, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that research benefits diverse populations and translates into sustainable, long-term outcomes.

The conference concluded with the Alice Coffey Student Prize Ceremony and closing address, celebrating excellence and innovation within implementation science.

Reflecting on the event, Emeritus Professor Alice Coffey and co-founder of CIRcUL said:

“I am honoured to have presented this prize to students, as implementation science plays a crucial role in ensuring that research leads to real and lasting change. The quality and breadth of work presented at this conference demonstrated not only the strength of the field, but also its growing importance in addressing complex societal challenges.”