Sarah Brown to give plenary address at international preterm birth conference

Sarah Brown, global health campaigner and Chair of the international children’s charity Theirworld

Sarah Brown, global health campaigner and Chair of the international children’s charity Theirworld, will give a plenary address with Professor James Boardman, Scientific Director of the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory, at the UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027, taking place at Queen Mary University of London on 18 and 19 January 2027. The conference will bring together internationally recognised leaders in maternal, fetal and neonatal health for two days of scientific exchange, policy discussion and clinical innovation.

The programme features four plenary talks and fifteen keynote speakers spanning medicine, public health, research, policy, digital health and translational science. It will convene clinicians, scientists, healthcare leaders, policymakers and multidisciplinary experts to examine the latest advances in prediction, prevention and optimisation of care for families affected by preterm birth.

Sarah Brown said, “this is an important time to bring together leaders from different disciplines and backgrounds to address how we can use the rapid progress we are all seeing in medical research, technological innovation and understanding family impact for safer pregnancy and better neonatal health outcomes. The potential for greater breakthroughs will be more significant as we all work together”.

Complications of preterm birth remain one of the leading causes of death among children under five worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and contribute significantly to long-term childhood disability. The impact on families is profound, creating emotional, societal and economic challenges across every region of the world.

The conference is structured around six major themes shaping the future of preterm birth prevention and care:

• Prediction and Diagnostics
• Prevention Strategies
• Neonatal Outcomes
• Health and Policy
• AI, Digital Twins and Virtual Cities (the use of artificial intelligence, virtual patient models and city-scale simulation in health research)
• Translating Research into Clinical Practice

East London is one of the most diverse and dynamic regions in the world, yet significant health inequalities remain. Opening the conference, Professor Colin Bailey, Principal of Queen Mary University of London, will discuss how partnership across healthcare, research, education, industry and local communities can improve outcomes for families and create lasting impact in maternal and neonatal health.

Professor Colin Bailey CBE, President and Principal at Queen Mary University of London said: “Real progress in reducing health disparities depends on meaningful partnership working across universities, healthcare organisations, communities, education providers and employers. Together, we can help shape a healthier and more equitable future for East London and beyond.”

Professor Catherine Williamson, Centre Director of Tommy’s National Centre for Preterm Birth Research said: “Every family affected by preterm birth deserves access to the highest standards of care, support and innovation. By supporting the UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027, Tommy’s is helping to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate progress in maternal and neonatal health research and care.”

Dr Tina Chowdhury, Chair of the UK Preterm Birth Conference Organising Committee said: “World-leading experts are uniting to reduce the burden of preterm birth through scientific excellence, international collaboration and innovation-driven healthcare solutions.”

The programme includes multidisciplinary lectures, plenary discussions, scientific presentations and training workshops addressing the future of maternal-fetal medicine and neonatal care in an increasingly digital and data-driven landscape.

Find out more about the conference here: UK Annual Preterm Birth Conference 2027