Ulster University has cemented its position at the forefront of digital healthcare innovation during the first annual Tech4Health Conference, held on 5–6 November at the historic Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.
The two-day conference marked the public debut of Tech4Health, Ulster University’s pioneering Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Digital Health Technologies. A collaboration with University College London (UCL), the £11million Centre, funded by investment from the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will train 75 PhD researchers over the next eight years to become leaders in digital health across Northern Ireland and beyond.
The conference brought together students, academics, industry experts, healthcare professionals, and government representatives to explore the future of healthcare through technology. Attendees participated in workshops, hackathons, keynote talks, and networking sessions designed to foster collaboration and showcase the cutting-edge research being undertaken by Tech4Health’s first two cohorts of PhD students.
Day One focused on student-led innovation, featuring a digital health-themed hackathon, poster exhibitions, and keynote speeches from leading researchers in biomedical engineering, computing, and health sciences. Students had the opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, and build connections across disciplines.
Day Two welcomed partners from the med tech industry, health and social care trusts, charitable organisations, and government bodies. The programme included student research showcases and strategic discussions on the future of digital health in the UK and Ireland.
Professor Dewar Finlay, Co-Director for Tech4Health at Ulster University, said:
"This conference is a milestone for digital health research in Northern Ireland. Tech4Health is not just a training centre, it’s a launchpad for innovation. Our students are already developing technologies that will transform patient care, and we’re proud to be building the skills pipeline that will feed into initiatives like the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT)."
Lee Johnston, Data and AI Business Development Manager at Kainos, said:
"While the keynote speeches were great, the PhD cohort presenting their titles were the headline act: ambitious ideas, confident deliveries, and a direct correlation to improved outcomes. The big takeaway from me is the need to tighten the loop between academia, industry and clinicians with NHS England/HSCNI supporting adoption and creating routes to SMEs for researchers."
Tech4Health offers a unique multidisciplinary training environment, combining expertise in engineering, computing, data science, and healthcare. With UCL ranked #1 in the UK for biomedical engineering and Ulster recognised as a UK leader in digital healthcare technology, the programme provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring researchers.
The centre is actively seeking new partners to co-fund PhDs, host secondments, and contribute to its training programme. Applications are welcomed from candidates with strong backgrounds in engineering, computational or physical sciences who are passionate about improving healthcare outcomes through technology.
Why digital health?
Digital health technologies are revolutionising healthcare delivery, from virtual wards and hospital-at-home models to advanced monitoring systems. With the NHS aiming to become a global leader in digital healthcare, and investment in the sector reaching $24 billion in 2020 alone, the need for skilled digital health technologists has never been greater.
Join the movement
Ulster University invites prospective students and partners to be part of this exciting journey. For more information on Tech4Health and how to get involved, visit the
Tech4Health website.
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