SSA members and associates have an exclusive opportunity to plan a session at the next Annual Conference. Submit your application by 17:00 GMT on 16 March 2026.

Members and associates are invited to submit proposals for symposia at the 2026 Annual Conference. Each symposium will last 60–80 minutes, feature three speakers, and end with questions and answers. The 2025 Annual Conference included symposia on substance use harms during pregnancy and motherhood, national monitoring of addictive behaviours, and the public health impact of no- and low-alcohol drinks.

Please read the following guidance before you apply:

  • The person who submits the application must be an SSA member or associate and one of the named speakers. The other two speakers need not be members or associates.
  • The proposed symposium should have a coherent theme. Delegates should be able to understand why the speakers have been brought together, but see that each speaker has a distinct contribution.
  • Applications should feature three named speakers. Proposals with more than three speakers may not be reviewed.
  • For each speaker you will be asked to provide: contact details, affiliations, presentation title, information about research funding and ethical approval, declaration of interests, photo, and biography.
  • This is the first year that the SSA has asked for speaker photos and bios in the application process. These will not be seen by the judging panel, but will help to prevent delays in announcing speakers and promoting the conference once symposia are selected. All photos should show full head and shoulders, should not be blurry or pixelated, and should not be AI-generated or significantly and visibly altered using AI.
  • The SSA usually receives more proposals than available places. To ensure you submit a strong application, please see advice from conference organisers Dr Sarah Welch and Dr Carol-Ann Getty.
  • If your symposium proposal is accepted, the SSA will offer free registration for both days of the conference for all three speakers. If any of the speakers require help with expenses, please mention this in your application and the SSA can advise whether they would be eligible for a supported place.

To apply to plan a session at the next Annual Conference, please complete the form below by 17:00 GMT on 16 March 2026. If you have any questions, submit them via the enquiry form and the SSA team will be pleased to help.