Practical Information

If you have any question, please contact the conference email.

How to get here

We recommend people to travel by train. The campus has its own station (black building on the left hand side of the campus map). The station is called "University", and has the indicative "UNI" on National Rail Enquiries. The station has frequent services from New Street Station, which is Birmingham's main rail station. We encourage everyone to take the train and limit their carbon emissions. Most of Britain is reachable in less than 5 hours by train from Birmingham.

Those arriving by plane can land at Birmingham International Airport. From there take the monorail to the airport's train station and connect to the University campus after changing trains in New Street Station.

Finally, car travel is another option, however car parking on or near campus is not the easiest. We recommend you arrive using public transportation. Two visitor car parks are available along Pritchatts Road.

Additional travel information can be found on this link.

Venue Information

The conference will take place in the Bramall Building (pictured above), which is located in the main court of the University (labelled R12 on the campus map). The venue is entirely wheel-chair accessible.

The talks will take place in the Elgar concert hall. The same building will host the poster session (first floor mezzanine), as well as a buffet lunch each day, and a buffer dinner on the Monday evening on the ground floor foyer.

Post-conference sessions will take place in the library of Physics West in the afternoon of Wednesday 08 April 2020 (R8)

Accommodation

We recommend sleeping on campus, since much of the social events will happen here and everything is within walking distance from the two hotels on campus: Edgbaston Park Hotel (G23), and Lucas House (G16). They are located in the green buildings G23 and G16 respectively, on the campus map.

We have secured a competitive rate for the first 150 participants, at a cost of £75/night for Edgbaston Park Hotel, and £70/night at Lucas House, instead of £110 and £75 respectively. Please, make good use of this hard-won offer.

To benefit from the offer, book your room before 23 February 2020, using the University's online shop. Note that this applies to the first 100 rooms at the Edgbaston Park Hotel, and the 50 first rooms at Lucas House.

Social activities

Sunday evening: As there will be a pre-registration desk in the Edgbaston Park Hotel lobby (G23), we suggest that you eat at the hotel's 1900 restaurant.

Monday evening: Hot dinner buffet (included with registration) held in the Bramall Building and poster sessions, with a cash bar.

Tuesday evening: Drinks reception in the Lapworth Museum (R4), followed by the conference dinner in the Staff House (R24) (150 tickets to purchase). Download the menu here.

Wednesday afternoon: Two post-conference discussions (see programme). Alternatively, visit the Barber Institute of Fine Arts (R14).

Conference costs

Up to 15 February 2020: Registration is £100
From 16 February 2020: Registration is £120
Registration includes access to the Bramall building, lunches on all three days, as well as Monday's dinner.

Drinks Reception & Conference dinner: £55. This includes a drinks reception in the Lapworth Museum, entrance to the museum, and a three course meal in the Staff House (which will have a cash bar).

Childcare options

There are three nurseries on campus who have indicated they might be able to open their doors to participants' children during the conference. However, this not guaranteed at this stage. The nurseries have informed us that confirmation might be possible after February 15 2020.
We will approach this as a first come - first served basis. The nurseries informed us that they might have places for a total of up to three children campus-wide, per conference day, which is subject to confirmation and availability.
The nurseries accept children between the ages of 6 weeks and 4 years. The three nurseries are open in two sessions: 07:45 - 13:00 and 13:00 - 18:10. Children can be dropped off and picked-up at any time during a session. The cost is £29.40 for one session, and £57.10 for the full day.

For older kids, there is a good playscheme available at two nearby schools, including Kings Edward's, which is across the road from the University, and Blue Coats which is in the nearby neighbourhood of Harborne. Please visit Kings Camps for more information. They accept children aged 5-17.

The University also runs its own playscheme. Please visit Junior Sports Camps for more information.

If unavailability of childcare means a participant cannot attend the conference, indicate so as part of the second registration form, we will contact you to discuss options, and should the need arise, reimbursement of conference costs will be made.

Financial help.

We do not plan to provide any financial support at this stage. We aim to have a balanced budget. If we make a profit, we will attempt to distribute these by refunding some of the early bird registration, privileging students, and those requiring childcare.