Festival of Industry and the Professions

Becoming a Biomedical Scientist is a protected titled. Successfully completing your studies at University of Staffordshire means you can though as our course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS). 

As Senior Biomedical Science Officers in the NHS, both Alexander Makanga and Zuzana Tothova will speak alongside our current students about the value and benefits of studying at University of Staffordshire and why we wone the Best Educator at the inaugural IBMS awards in 2024.

They will speak about the industry links we bring to our learning and the importance of our active learning within our fantastic labs.

The founders of Snappy Gurus – who help talented graduates land their first roles – will be joining a panel with experts from Midlands Power and the University’s Entrepreneurship Manager Marc Williams.

They will be discussing developing an entrepreneurial mindset, essential skills for business graduates in 2026 and building personal and professional resilience for succeeding at university and beyond.

Led by Tech Skills, the panel will be delving into the world of computing and discussing key issues relevant to the industry including cyber security, the ethical use of AI and AI integration across wider industries.

The panel will discuss the skills needed by graduates in this rapidly developing and fast paced industry and the career pathways, including emerging roles that a computer science related course can lead to.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the creative industries sector? Our panel will reflect on topics including AI and technology disruption and its impact on the sector, focusing on how graduates can embrace these changes and use them to get ahead of the game.

The panel will also tackle the key issue of skills gaps in the creative sector, giving you vital insights about preparing for life beyond university.

Thinking about your future career in criminology, policing, or the legal sector? Join us for an engaging expert panel session where professionals from across these fields share what employers are really looking for.

Hear firsthand about the key skills, knowledge, and experiences that can help you stand out and secure roles across criminal justice, policing, and legal careers. Our panel will discuss how studying a degree with us will ensure you:

• Gain essential transferable skills
• Boost your employability alongside your studies
• Gain perspectives of routes into different roles and sectors
• Receive practical advice on applications, interviews, and career progression

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and gain insider insights into these professions.

Hear from some of our graduates about their roles working in specialist areas such as SEND and early years.

What are the top challenges in engineering in 2026? Our panel will provide their perspectives on the key developments and challenges in the engineering sector including emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental challenges and infrastructure modernisation.

Panel members will share their experiences and top tips to prepare for your future career as an engineer.

In 2025 we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Staffordshire Forensics Partnership between University of Staffordshire and Staffordshire Police.The partnership has been recognised as being national best practice by the Director of Forensic Services at the UK Government’s Home Office.

Peter Hunter (Head of Forensics at Staffordshire Police) will be joined by current students who have been involved with the SFP, explaining how this is one initiative of many which enable students to get ready for a career in the criminal justice system or other scientific fields in the UK and internationally.

Games Design

New technologies including generative AI, mixed reality and cloud infrastructure are transforming the Games industry. Join Gary Napper and Laurence Oldham (from EA) as they explore key considerations of games design and emerging trends in the industry.

Games Programming

Join Jake Hayton (Forth Star), John Whiles (Playground) and Angharad Hill (Rebellion) to discover what it’s like to be a programmer within the industry. Our panel members will reflect on the key issues in games programming in 2026 and how they are responding to these challenges in their current roles.

Games Art

Explore the world of games and concept art with our team of experts including Richard Harper (Rare Ltd). Find out more about how technological developments including generative AI are impacting on the sector and how industry professionals are embracing new technologies whilst considering ethical use.

Thinking about your future career in criminology, policing, or the legal sector? Join us for an engaging expert panel session where professionals from across these fields share what employers are really looking for.

Hear firsthand about the key skills, knowledge, and experiences that can help you stand out and secure roles across criminal justice, policing, and legal careers. Our panel will discuss how studying a degree with us will ensure you:

• Gain essential transferable skills
• Boost your employability alongside your studies
• Gain perspectives of routes into different roles and sectors
• Receive practical advice on applications, interviews, and career progression

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and gain insider insights into these professions.

This inspiring panel discussion gives you a unique opportunity to hear directly from experienced nursing and midwifery professionals, clinical practitioners, and University of Staffordshire Alumni who have been exactly where you are now.

You’ll gain honest insight into what it’s really like to study nursing or midwifery at Staffs, how graduates progress into rewarding careers, and what to expect as you begin your own journey.

There will be plenty of time to ask questions, explore different career pathways, and learn from real‑life experiences, making this an invaluable chance to feel informed, reassured, and excited about your future in nursing or midwifery.

This session will give you the opportunity to hear first-hand how clinical training and professional experiences shape successful careers in Operating Department Practice (ODP). Here we bring together current students, alumni, and academic staff to provide a well‑rounded view of the journey from student to qualified practitioner and beyond.

You will hear insights into the panel’s experiences of clinical placements, simulation-based learning, and working within multidisciplinary theatre teams across a range of perioperative settings and gain an understanding of the diverse career pathways available to ODP graduates. 

The role of the paramedic has evolved rapidly in recent years, extending far beyond traditional emergency response to encompass a wide range of clinical, leadership, education, research, and specialist roles across the NHS and wider healthcare system.

This interactive panel session brings together qualified clinicians, current students, and academic staff to share their collective experience of modern paramedic practice.

Panel members will explore the breadth of opportunities available to you as a future paramedic, offering honest insight into career pathways, role development, and the realities of working in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Join our industry panel to hear from professionals, gain valuable insights into career pathways, workplace experiences, and how postgraduate study can open doors to diverse opportunities.

The panel will bring together a diverse range of people from various roles within the field and who followed different pathways to achieve their current position.

Service users and carers play a vital role in shaping effective, ethical, and compassionate social work. Their lived experience brings authenticity, challenge, and depth to social work education, helping future practitioners to understand the human impact of policy, assessment, and intervention beyond theory and procedure.

During this session, you will hear directly from members of the university’s service user and carer group about the impact that social work has had on their lives. Through personal stories and shared reflections, you will gain insight into the real‑world outcomes of social work practice from those who experience it first-hand.

University of Staffordshire are the principal partners of Staffordshire FA and Stoke City FC’s Community Foundation.

Both Alex Scott and Adam Cookson from each organisation will be joined by students who have had opportunities to gain incredible experiences working with these organisations whilst on their studies.

Hear how students have not only just undertaken placements or project work to help their studies but who have also gained paid work or other vital experiences with these organisations and others so they are best prepared for a career in sport and exercise.