UK Photonics Leadership Group

Optical Communications Roadmap Launch
2025-11-24 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Techuk, 10 St Bride St,, London, EC4A 4AD, United Kingdom
Launch event for the Optical Communications Roadmap, including inter satellite communications, ground to space and space to ground communications links as well as teh continuing growth of terrestrial optical communications for all ground based applications.
Featuring a panel discussion on Photonics for Space and Beyond

Tech UK Photonics Sprint - Defence workshop
2025-11-26 10:00 - 13:00 | Techuk, 10 St Bride St,, London, EC4A 4AD, United Kingdom
The first of a three-part event series run in collaboration with Plexal, Dell and Intel that showcases UK- based Deep Tech SMEs to Defence primes.
Future events will focus on Semiconductors & Quantum technologies

British and Irish Conference on Optics and Photonics 2025
2025-12-16 - 2025-12-18 | IET, 2 Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL, United Kingdom
BICOP is a flagship conference on optics and photonics in the UK and Ireland, reporting on disruptive advances in optics and photonics across diverse fields. The primary purpose of the 2.5-day conference is to showcase the UK and Ireland’s world-leading research and development in optics and photonics to global stakeholders with a proper balance of industry and academia.
BICOP 2025 will be held at IET London: Savoy Place. The location in the heart of London means that IET London: Savoy Place is fully accessible by all major transport links in the capital and has a selection of local accommodation.

Telecommunication Optics and Photonics (TOP) Conference 2026
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-25 | Kia Oval, London, United Kingdom
TOP Conference 2026 brings together experts in photonics, optical networking, quantum communications, and data-centre innovation. Held on 24–25 February 2026 in London, the event features presentations, poster sessions, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and research to shape the future of optical technology.

Photonics 21 Annual meeting 2026
2026-06-09 - 2026-06-10 | Double Tree, Brussels, DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City hotel., Brussels, Belgium
European Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting celebrating the 21th Anniversary of Photoncis21. A key event for networking with colleagues across Europe. Essential for those looking to join European collaborative research and innovation consortia and understand the direction of European funding, much of which is open to UK participation.
With keynotes from the European Commission and panel discussion on the future of Photonics in the next European framework programme.
The meeting will feature presentation of the next photonics multiyear strategic research and Innovation agenda to the Commission which will be finalised over the coming months by the Photonics21 working group.

SPIE Sensors + Imaging
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-17 | Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Exchange, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8EE, United Kingdom
The premier yearly European combining two of Europe’s best photonics conferences – Environmental Remote sensing and Security + Defeence. An event that showcases the latest sensor and photonic technologies for imaging and monitoring the Earth’s atmosphere and environment, as well as sensor technologies that address homeland security, defence, and counterterrorism.
Meet face-to-face with top companies at the free 2-day exhibition. Discuss your sensing and imaging needs with suppliers who will be there to help solve problems, cut costs, and increase capabilities.

Microelectronics UK featuring Photonics UK
2026-09-29 - 2026-09-30 | ExCel Centre London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom
The UK’s microelectronics and semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing demand across key sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, defence and healthcare.
Given this robust outlook, Microelectronics UK incorporating Photonics UK, Semiconductors UK and and Embedded Systems UK and has a pivotal role to play in showcasing cutting-edge innovations, fostering collaboration, expediting domestic and international trade, while highlighting the UK’s leadership in photonics, compound semiconductors and semiconductor design.
Attendees will gain insights into market trends, establish and explore strategic and commercial partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape, with focused content on photonic, semiconductors and embedded systems all in one place.

Photonics Means 2026
2026-10-01 | Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow, 99 George Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom
The second, Photonics Means, meeting in Glasgow will bring together the UK photonics community building on the successful 20025 edition at the technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
Meeting demand for an annual gathering of the UK photonics community bringing together the next generation of photonics innovators, spotlights on key regional strengths around the UK and inspiration from the thought leaders in the field. Photonics Means will feature a table top exhibition and a range of talks across three themes of technology, growth and people. Maximising network and interaction across industry and academia and between all career stages Photonics Means is an ideal opportunity to gain insights into what photonics will mean for your future products, profits, career and research.
Thursday 1 October 2025, 8am to 6pm, Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD
