BDS 23rd Biennial Conference - Keele University

About The Conference:

Welcome to the website for The British Dam Society 23rd Biennial Conference. The conference will be held at Keele University (Chancellors Building) from Wednesday 9th until Saturday 12th September 2026. 

For this year’s conference, we will hold technical sessions all day on the Thursday and on Saturday morning. On the Friday there will be a choice of all-day site visits or technical workshops. The technical workshops will cover a wide range of delegate interests and training needs. Some of these workshops will be held at sites away from Keele University.

We are pleased to announce that the conference will include:  

• An Exhibitor Drinks Reception on Wednesday evening
• Young Professionals-led social event on Thursday evening
• Binnie Lecture and BDS Formal Dinner on Friday evening
• Option to upgrade accommodation to the on-site hotel including provision for accompanying persons
• Electronic copy of the technical proceedings only

The main theme of the conference will be The Reservoirs Act: Past, Present and Future and will cover topics including the following:

• How guidance has impacted reservoir safety including case studies of the implementation of guidance
• Lessons learnt from incidents and interventions
• Dam safety, risk management and the testing of On-Site Emergency Flood Plans
• Using innovation and technology to improve dam safety
• The future of dams for water supply, flood storage, and power generation
• The impact and benefits of the Reservoir Safety Reform Programme
• Challenges faced by small undertakers
• Adaptation and change of use of reservoirs, and their evolving role in society

There will be an exhibition space located in the Chancellors building, where all technical sessions, workshops, refreshments and meals will be held during the conference (except the BDS Formal Dinner). Organisations interested in an exhibition space should book an ‘Exhibitor’ package on the registration page. A maximum of 20 exhibitor spaces are available. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis. See ‘Exhibitor Flyer’ below for more details. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available during the conference. Information regarding the opportunities available are detailed in the ‘Sponsors Flyer’ below.

Accompanying persons are welcomed. No formal accompanying persons visits will be organised by the BDS. However, recommendations for day trips and entertainment in the Keele area will be provided on request. 

Registration for the conference is via the booking page. Please contact: bds.conference2026@gmail.com for any conference matters.

This page will be updated as further information and papers become available.

Registration

>>> Register Here <<<

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