18th to 20th November, Newport (Wales)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) will host its sixth annual Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environment (OFEME) symposium in Newport, Wales. OFEME is designed as an in-person event, but there will be options to join virtually if you are unable to join us in-person.
Supported by the Electromagnetic Environment (EME) Hub, academics, suppliers (including small and medium-sized enterprises), colleagues from the Ministry of Defence and armed forces, as well as other government departments are all invited to attend this FREE event in-person or online.
This year the OFEME symposium has a special focus on Quantum advantage, Electro-optics, Metamaterials, Space, Semiconductors and Distributed sensing and processing. With over 40 sessions to attend, there is no shortage of choice!
The symposium will cover shared challenges for operating within the future electromagnetic environment inside and outside of Defence and how research and development investment can be harnessed in future approaches. The event is delivered through a range of keynote talks, technical presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions.
See here for the press release official launch of OFEME 2025
Importance of the electromagnetic environment
The EME is crucial for many sectors including healthcare and mobility (moving people, goods and services), and for a connected society. In defence, spectrum dependent systems are present across land, maritime, air and space. Their uses include communications, sensing, weapons systems and more.
As demand grows, reliable access to the electromagnetic spectrum becomes more difficult, creating a challenge for UK information advantage and maintaining situational awareness.
From a defence perspective, adversaries will actively contest access, such as through electromagnetic warfare, to deliberately deny or degrade access. Maintaining freedom of action and delivering effects in and through the congested and contested electromagnetic environment is therefore an essential and growing challenge.
Symposium details
The symposium this year will continue to expand its scope included in the previous events.
The event will feature:
- A range of keynote speakers
- Technical presentations
- Panel discussions
- Poster sessions
- Interactive workshops
- Networking sessions
Technical talks will cover advances and implications of a variety of topics including:
- Space
- Metamaterials
- Semiconductors
- Novel electro-optic techniques
- Quantum advantage
- Distributed sensing and processing
Who can attend
Academics, industry partners (including small and medium-sized enterprises and non-traditional defence suppliers), PhD scholars and Post-docs, and colleagues from the Ministry of Defence and across government are all invited to attend the symposium.
The event will provide space to network and discuss collaboration opportunities with Dstl scientists to shape thinking on how to address future challenges.
Submit expression of interest – Extended
Please complete this form by 5:00pm on 10th October 2025 to request an invitation to attend the symposium. A security check will be performed before sending official invitations. The symposium is FREE to attend.
Registration is also required to view live streaming online.
Submit poster abstract – Now Closed
Delegates are invited to submit a 250-300 word abstract describing new research/development/innovation highlighting the themes of the symposium. We encourage submissions from industry but these should not be advertisements for products or services, or company promotional material. Submissions must be completed by 5:00pm on 26th September 2025. If accepted, authors are required to bring an A0 size portrait poster to be put on display at the symposium. We will let you know the outcome of your submission by Tuesday 30th September 2025.
Some authors will also be invited to give lightning talks and entered into the best poster competition.