The Named Lectures form a central feature of our conference and provide a platform from which to disseminate information about recent developments in research and progressive thinking about diabetes care. We will be awarding the Arnold Bloom, RD Lawrence, Mary MacKinnon and Harry Keen Rank Nutrition Lectures only, at our 2026 Diabetes UK Professional Conference.
We recognise that improvements in diabetes research and care is delivered and driven by a wide range of healthcare professionals and researchers from different scientific disciplines. See our 2025 Named Lecture winners.
Why enter?
They are prestigious awards with a long-standing history, recognising the very best in diabetes treatment and research. The awards are named in honour of notable figures in diabetes care, but they are not restricted to their namesake’s profession or speciality. We welcome applications from across the rich tapestry of diabetes treatment, care delivery and research. We advise applicants to interpret the criteria with this in mind and to e-mail diabetesuk.speakers@wonderly.agency if they have any questions about their application.
The awards include:
All selected lecturers will receive complimentary accommodation, registration and travel (as per the expenses policy) for the conference.
Named Lecture awardees are also expected to deliver an article based on their lecture to either Diabetic Medicine or Practical Diabetes, depending on the Named Lecture. The Diabetes UK honorarium is dependent on the presentation and the article being submitted.
How do I apply
| Submission deadline | Thursday, 9 October 2025, 17:00 (BST) |
| Notification of outcome of application | Mid-December 2025 |
Award criteria for 2026
Arnold Bloom
This lecture is awarded to anyone who has made significant improvements through system change to the delivery of care for people living with or affected by diabetes. Their work will have been guided by or informed by patient experience, will be patient centred and demonstrate a holistic approach to care. The impact of their work should have a national reach. The award is in honour of Arnold Bloom (1915-1992), a celebrated and well-loved clinician who placed the care of patients at the centre of his work, understanding and valuing the patient’s perspective. His work studying the differences in patient responses to insulin and drug therapies helped pave the way for the diabetes classifications we use today. He delivered the 33rd Banting Memorial Lecture for his pioneering work developing a UK register of all newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes, giving us the first insights into potential triggers that are still being researched today.
Applicants’ checklist
When writing your application, please remember that the judges will be considering the following criteria during their assessment:
- Work has produced significant improvements to the delivery of care for people living with or affected by diabetes.
- National impact.
- Work is guided or informed by patient experience.
- Work is patient-centred.
- Work demonstrates a holistic approach.
RD Lawrence
The RD Lawrence lecture is awarded to an early-career professional conducting pioneering basic or clinical research that has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the treatment, care or wellbeing of people affected by or living with diabetes. Their work should show evidence of patient involvement. Ideally, the lecturer will be working within the first ten to twenty years of their research career. Allowance will be given to applicants who have taken a non-standard career pathway and whose career has been subject to a late start or interruption for family or personal reasons.
The award is now in its 54th year and honours Robert Daniel Lawrence (1892-1968), Scottish co-founder of Diabetes UK. RD Lawrence led the creation of one of the earliest and largest diabetes clinics in the UK and pioneered research into aspects of diabetes management we use today, including the role of diet and exercise. He recognised the importance of patient engagement in research, education and welfare; values he brought to the Diabetes Association (now Diabetes UK), which he co-founded in 1934 with H.G. Wells.
Applicants’ checklist
When writing your application, please remember that the judges will be considering the following criteria during their assessment:
- Applicant is an early-carer professional.
- Applicant is conducting lab-based or clinical research.
- Their work Is pioneering and innovative.
- Their work has led, or has the potential to lead, to significant improvements in treatment, care or wellbeing of people living with or affected by diabetes.
- Work demonstrates evidence of patient involvement, or consideration of the patient perspective.
Mary MacKinnon
This lecture will be awarded to a diabetes team or an individual who have worked collaboratively across healthcare teams to provide integrated, person-centred care in the community. Their work will have enabled and empowered people to engage with and better manage their diabetes, and will have been informed by patient views and perspectives.
This award is in honour of Mary MacKinnon who passed away in 2013, a nurse and lecturer who specialised in practice and diabetes nursing. Mary was dedicated to the care and education of people with diabetes and those close to them and worked locally, nationally and internationally to this end. She promoted professional education in diabetes and the inclusion of primary healthcare providers in local integrated diabetes teams with personal support provided by specialist teams. Mary was committed to the philosophy of 'whole person care', which enables people with diabetes to manage their condition, to be the key member of their own healthcare team and to be included and involved in the planning of local diabetes services.
Applicants’ checklist
When writing your application, please remember that the judges will be considering the following criteria during their assessment:
- Applicant is part of or has led team(s) to deliver their work.
- Work demonstrates collaborative working across healthcare teams.
- Work has provided and/or improved integrated, person-centred care in the community.
- Work has empowered people to engage with and better manage their diabetes.
- Work has been informed by patient views and perspectives.
Harry Keen Rank Nutrition Lecture
The lecture is specifically focused on nutrition and is awarded to an individual conducting lab-based or clinical research in this area. Their innovative work will have led to, or have the potential to lead to, improvements in the health, care or wellbeing of people living with or affected by diabetes.
This lecture is kindly funded by the Rank Prize Funds in memory of Professor Harry Keen who sadly passed away in 2013. Professor Keen, who sat on the Rank Prize Funds Committee for over 22 years, was a physician and epidemiologist who did much to shape the modern understanding of diabetes and its treatment.
Applicants’ checklist
When writing your application, please remember that the judges will be considering the following criteria during their assessment:
- Applicants work demonstrates innovation/innovative thinking
- Applicant’s work is focused on nutrition
- Applicant is conducting basic, discovery or clinical research.
- Their work has the potential to lead to, or has already led to, significant improvements in treatment, care or wellbeing of people living with or affected by diabetes.
Please complete the online application form by 17:00 (BST) on Thursday, 9 October.
How long are the Named Lectures?
The Named Lectures are 40 minutes long.
How are the Named Lectures awarded?
All applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges drawn from various Diabetes UK professional groups.
When will I know if I have been awarded a Named Lecture?
For the Named Lectures 2026, awardees will be announced by Mid-December.
What do I receive if I am awarded a Named Lecture?
All selected lecturers will receive complimentary accommodation, registration and travel (as per the expenses policy) for the conference as well as a small honorarium. Please note that the honorarium will be reimbursed upon publication of a lecture review article in Diabetic Medicine or Practical Diabetes.
Where are articles based on the Named Lectures published?
Named Lectures will be published in either Practical Diabetes or Diabetic Medicine.
Will the Named Lectures be delivered online or in-person?
Named Lectures will be delivered in-person at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference, 22 to 24 April 2026, ACC Liverpool. More details can be found here.
Who do I contact if I have any further questions? If you have any questions, please e-mail diabetesuk.speakers@wonderly.agency and we a member of the team will get back to you shortly.
