Home - Phi Mu Chapter

The Phi Mu Chapter of Sigma

'I love being a member of Sigma and have made great connections with colleagues around the world. Sigma is inclusive at all stages of your career'
Dr Liz Westcott, Immediate Past-President of the Phi Mu Chapter & President-Elect of Sigma

Phi Mu Chapter Annual Conference 2025

The Phi Mu Chapter’s 2025 Annual Conference will be hosted by the University of Salford (Greater Manchester) on Thursday 26^th June 2025. The Chapter is now seeking the submission of abstracts to present oral papers or posters during the Conference.

· The theme for the Conference will be ‘Nursing in challenging times’.

· Oral papers will be 20 mins followed by 5 minutes for questions.

· Posters will be size A0. Poster presenters will be allocated a 3-minute slot to present their poster.

· All presentations will be in person.

· If you would like to present at the Conference please complete and return the below form.

· You do not need to be a Sigma member to present at this Conference but there will be a £25 registration fee for non-members and £20 for student non-members to attend the Conference. Registration will be free for staff and students from the University of Salford.

· The deadline for the submission of abstracts is midnight on Friday 28^th February 2025.

· All abstracts submitted will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Committee and submitting authors will be informed of the outcome by Friday 28^th March 2025.

If you have any questions about the Conference or submitting an abstract please contact Sigma@Bournemouth.ac.uk.

Professor Vanessa Heaslip elected as next Chapter President

The Phi Mu Chapter is delighted to announce that Professor Vanessa Heaslip has been elected as the new President-Elect:

"I am delighted to take on the role of President-Elect until July 2025 when I shall take over as president of the English Chapter. I am excited to lead the development of the chapter for the next couple of years. These are difficult times for nursing, with student numbers falling amidst the global shortage of registered nurses, a time when leadership within our profession is needed to ensure that nurses voices are heard. I am keen to work with all members of the chapter to ensure that we promote the excellent work that nursing does for individuals, communities and society as a whole” .

We welcome Vanessa and we look forward to working together and driving the chapter forward!

Dr Liz Westcott elected as Sigma's President-Elect

We are delighted to announce that Dr Liz Westcott has been elected as Sigma's President-Elect and will become Sigma's President in 2025. Liz has been a long-serving member of Sigma and the Phi Mu Chapter. Until July 2023 Liz was the President of the Phi Mu Chapter and for the past two years has been European Region Coordinator. This is a massive achievement and recognises Liz's considerable contribution to the Phi Mu Chapter and to Sigma in Europe over a number of years.

Biennial European Conference

The Phi Mu Chapter and the Department of Nursing Science at Bournemouth University hosted the European Region's 7th Biennial European Region Conference in Bournemouth between the 26th and 28th of June 2024. Included in the programme were seven keynote presentations, 142 oral papers across 36 sessions, 58 posters, three workshops and three symposia. Most exciting of all, there were papers and posters presented by speakers from 24 different countries. Alongside the scientific programme, there was an exciting social programme, including an early arrivals reception at Bournemouth University, a main reception at the Russell-Coates Art Gallery & Museum and a Conference Dinner at AFC Bournemouth. Our thanks go to all those involved in planning the Conference and to all those who attended. The 8th European Region Conference will be in Finland in 2026 and more information will be available soon.