The 2026 Northern Air Quality Conference
30th June 2026
We are delighted to announce the 2026 Northern Air Quality Conference will again be at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, taking place on June 30th. This will be our 6th edition of the event, and as ever, we will be bringing together some of the most important policymakers & leading academics who are working on solutions to the challenges created by air pollution and clean air provision. Our exhibition will also profile organisations who are offering solutions to the challenges we face in delivering improved air quality.
Early Bird tickets for this key event are limited – please use the form below to make the most of the best-value tickets.
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CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Dr Laura Horsfall, University College London
A researcher at the UCL Institute of Health Informatics, Laura has led studies investigating the use of wood burners in England and Wales. Her work revealed “wood burning hotspots” and linked increased lung cancer rates in affluent areas to potential carcinogen exposure from wood smoke. In May 2025, her analysis of energy performance certificates found a significant rise in the number of homes installing wood burners since 2022, especially in rural areas.
Dr Jim McQuaid
Jim McQuaid is based at the University of Leeds and has been involved in atmospheric observations for over 25 years. His research spans Saharan dust, cloud responses to warming, and aerosol impacts on Greenland’s surface. Recently, he has focused on low-cost sensors to monitor PM2.5 and helped create the UK’s largest network outside London, in collaboration with Leeds City Council. He’s also led deployments in Indonesia to track peatland fire pollution. Committed to public engagement, he works with schools and communities, and in 2023, created the Air Quality Stripes to communicate global PM2.5 trends since 1850.
Jayda David, LIVE + BREATHE
Jayda David is Projects and Youth Consultant at LIVE + BREATHE and was the voice and face of LIVE + BREATHE’s launch video with her original poem ‘Breathe Like You’ highlighting the aims and community spirit behind the 2022 launch.
An acclaimed poet and spoken word artist, Jayda’s work and art has been studied at the University of Aberdeen as part of the English Literature degree. She was invited by the United Nations to be a global BreatheLife campaign voice and her poem for Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah was selected by the World Health Organisation to be performed at their Second Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Columbia.