URMA Annual Conference 2026
— JUNE 16-19, 2026 —
HOSTED BY: University of Utah
Join us for URMA 2026 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City! The conference dates are June 16–19, 2026, so start making plans to attend!
URMA Conference 2026
Mark your calendars! The 2026 University Research Magazine Association (URMA) Annual Conference will take place June 16–19 in Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Utah.
URMA brings together research communicators, editors, designers and marketing professionals from institutions across the country to share insights, explore new ideas, and celebrate excellence in research storytelling.
We look forward to welcoming the URMA community to Utah, where discovery meets elevation.
More details, registration information, and the call for proposals will be available soon.
2026 URMA Host Institution
This year’s conference is being hosted by University of Utah in Salt Lake City. This conference will cover a broad range of topics and disciplines of interest and relevance to research communicators.
Travel / Accommodations
We have secured a room block at the Guest House. Use offer code BKG1124 to access the URMA room block.
Registration
Enjoy 3- or 4-day options to learn from experts at sessions covering multiple topics.
Nick Houtman Travel Grant
URMA is pleased to announce the Nick Houtman Travel Grant Application for the annual URMA Conference. Applications due by April 24.
Conference Resources
Explore
Things to do in Salt Lake City and Utah
June 16 Agenda
Connection, Innovation & Shared Experiences
June 17 Agenda
Storytelling, Strategy & Skill-Building
June 18 Agenda
Skills, Storytelling and Stargazing
June 19 Agenda
Farewell, Insights and Celebration
Getting Oriented
The University of Utah sits at the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, offering a unique mix of academic setting, urban access, and outdoor scenery.
- Campus map: https://map.utah.edu/
- University of Utah: https://www.utah.edu/
- Enjoy public transportation to downtown on trax and easy access to the UofU shuttle.
Local & State Tourism Resources
Whether you’re extending your stay or exploring between sessions, Utah offers exceptional options for dining, culture, and outdoor adventure.
- Visit Salt Lake: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/
- Utah Office of Tourism: https://www.visitutah.com/
- Utah travel inspiration: https://www.utah.com/
- Visitors Guides: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/free-visitors-guide/
Utah Tourism Guides (PDFs)
From nearby hikes and downtown restaurants to world-class national parks just a short drive or flight away, Utah offers something for every traveler.
- Northern Utah Monuments and Recreation
- Southeast Utah National Parks, Monuments, and Recreation
- Southwest Utah National Parks, Monuments, and Recreation
Tuesday June 16
Connection, Innovation & Shared Experiences
Available with the four-day conference registration
1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tour 2: ARUP Laboratories
Explore one of the nation’s largest diagnostic labs, focusing on how research outcomes are translated into patient impact.
3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Tour 3: Orthopedic Innovation Center (OIC)
Inside look at groundbreaking orthopedic implants and dynamic compression innovations.
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Dinner
TBD
Wednesday, June 17
Storytelling, Strategy and Skill-Building
8 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast + Networking Bingo
Guest House Breakfast
Check in for the conference, enjoy a full hot breakfast with structured bingo-style networking prompts to help attendees make early connections.
9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Opening & Welcome
Main Meeting Space
Speakers: Amanda Ashley, Katie Baillie
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Keynote
TBD
10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Break
Coffee, snacks, and informal peer networking.
11 a.m.-Noon
Driving Global Academic Interest
Main Meeting Space
Explore how academics source information and determine who is best in their field, based on global interviews and ranking survey data.
Speaker: Justin Shaw
Noon-1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Open seating with conversation starters to encourage cross-institution exchange.
1:15 p.m.-2 p.m.
Federal Funding & AAU- VPR Rothwell
Main Meeting Space
Overview of the Federal Funding Landscape, how Research Comms can influence & AAU guidelines for comms
2:10 p.m.-3:10 p.m.
Panel: Inside the Pitch: Modern Strategies for Landing and Amplifying Research Stories
Main Meeting Space
Moderated by Julie Kiefer, this panel brings together leading science comms experts to explore how to frame, pitch, and package research stories that not only land national coverage but are also relatable and relevant to general audiences.
3:20 p.m.-4:20 p.m.
Concurrent Labs (choose one)
Breakout Rooms
- Crisis Comms Bootcamp: Join Amanda Ashley to learn practical strategies to prepare for, manage and respond effectively to research-related crises.
- Podcasting for Research Impact: Discover how to plan, produce and amplify podcasts that bring research stories to life.
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Bookclub
Main Meeting Space
Moderated discussion with a local author, reflecting on their work and the craft of storytelling.
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Networking Reception – and Award Announcement
TBD
Hosted drinks and heavy appetizers. Announcement of Distinguished Service Award.
Thursday, June 18
Skills, Storytelling and Stargazing
6:30 a.m.-7:15 a.m.
Sunrise Wellness Walk
University Guest House
Begin the day with a refreshing wellness walk through Fort Douglas, offering scenic views and a chance to connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin.
8 a.m.-9 a.m.
Daily Networking Bingo + Breakfast
Guest House Breakfast
Hot breakfast, structured bingo prompts and rotating table groups to foster fresh connections.
9 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Storytelling Presentation TBD
Main Meeting Space
10 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Firehose Presentations (5 minutes each)
Main Meeting Space
Open call for presenters
10:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Break
Main Meeting Space
Coffee + snacks, hallway conversations.
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
The Future of Research Storytelling
Main Meeting Space
Jakob Jensen: A forward-looking workshop exploring emerging platforms, AI-driven personalization, interactive formats and audience-first strategies shaping the next wave of science comms.
12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Main Meeting Space
Open seating, curated conversation starters, and small-group idea sharing.
1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Group Photo
Main Meeting Space
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
Nuts & Bolts Session
Main Meeting Space
Peer insights on campaigns, strategies and key takeaways.
2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Break
Main Meeting Space
Refresh, grab snacks and reset.
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Optional Tour: HGN Lab for Bionic Engineering
Utah Bionics Lab
Behind-the-scenes look at advanced prosthetics and human performance technology, featuring demos and storytelling insights from lead researchers. Sign up required, limited spaces available.
5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Dining on your own
7 p.m.-9 p.m.
URMA Film Festival
Post Theatre
Join us for the 7th Annual URMA Festival at the University of Utah’s historic Post Theatre, featuring compelling videos and documentaries from our member institutions that illuminate groundbreaking research, scientific discovery and history.
Friday, June 19
Farewell, Insights and Celebration
8:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Farewell Brunch + Bingo Awards + Attendee Insights
Main Meeting Space
Close out the conference over a relaxed brunch where we’ll celebrate Networking Bingo Award winners, (recognizing our top connectors), and host a guided attendee insights session where participants share their biggest takeaways, strategies, and inspiration from the week.
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Peer Roundtable: Inside the Editorial process
Main Meeting Space
This session offers a look at how stories are developed, refined, and brought to life. Seth Bracken will share perspectives on editorial decision-making, working across print and digital formats, and how emerging tools like AI are shaping the writing and editing process—followed by open discussion.
10:45 a.m.-11 a.m.
Break
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
URMA Business Meeting/ Strategy Session
Main Meeting Space
Official URMA Board updates, announcements, and the reveal of the next host site.
Noon
Send-Off
Final conversations and farewells
Past Conferences
URMA CONFERENCE 2022
URMA CONFERENCE 2021
URMA CONFERENCE 2020
URMA CONFERENCE 2019
URMA CONFERENCE 2018
