The UK Legume Research Community (UKLRC) 2026 Conference was held from 18-20 August at the University of Dundee in a fully hybrid format, welcoming nearly 200 participants from the UK and around the world.
UKLRC2026 demonstrated the success of hosting high-quality scientific conferences in Dundee, bringing together a diverse, cross-sector community to explore the future of sustainable agriculture. Set within the Crop Innovation Centre at The James Hutton Institute, the event benefited from a location closely aligned with its scientific themes, enhancing both credibility and impact.
The conference fostered meaningful collaboration, supported early-career researchers and strengthened national and international networks. With strong partnership delivery, a seamless delegate experience, and tangible outcomes, including new research opportunities. Building on the success and credibility established through UKLRC2026, a particularly important outcome was the momentum it created, which motivated The James Hutton Institute/DCRCB to bid to host the next International Legume Society (ILS) Sixth Conference in Dundee in 2029. This bid was accepted by the ILS membership at their June 2026 meeting in Croatia. This responsibility presents a major opportunity to attract a large international audience, further elevating the profile of life science and legume research in Dundee and across Scotland, the UK, and the British Isles more broadly.
UKLRC2026 reinforced Dundee’s reputation as a welcoming, accessible, and credible destination for impactful scientific events.
'Organising UKLRC2026 in Dundee was an extremely positive experience. The city and region proved an excellent setting for a conference of this kind, both in terms of accessibility and its proximity to Scotland’s arable heartland - where legumes have a critical role in developing more sustainable farming systems.
The support from Dundee City Region Convention Bureau was outstanding throughout - professional, responsive and pragmatic - and instrumental in delivering a high-quality yet affordable event for a diverse research community.
The conference strengthened networks, supported early-career researchers and enabled valuable scientific exchange. Combined with memorable elements such as the field visit and distinctly Scottish evening reception, it was both academically impactful and warmly received. I would not hesitate to recommend Dundee as a host destination and would certainly consider bringing future events to the region.'
Prof. Prof. Pietro (Pete) Iannetta | Research Leader - Agroecology, Dept. of Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute
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