Future Healthcare Solutions in Focus

Sjónaukinn 2026 Conference to Be Held at the University of Akureyri

The Sjónaukinn 2026 conference will be held at the University of Akureyri on 19 and 20 May. Under the theme “Lessons Learned, Solutions and the Way Forward,” experts, academics and students will come together to highlight the changes and progress made in recent decades in knowledge, teaching and solutions within health sciences and work in the healthcare sector.

From Challenges to Opportunities

This year’s conference theme reflects the rapid scientific and technological advances that have been made to improve quality of life. Key topics include digital solutions and telehealth, and how the latest software solutions and remote services bridge the gap between patients and specialists, regardless of where people live.

Mental health will also be a priority, with a focus on how new approaches to support and treatment are meeting growing needs in society, including the use of simulation-based teaching to train healthcare professionals in this field. Obesity and lifestyle changes will also be addressed, along with integrated solutions that consider both prevention and treatment in a complex modern environment.

A Forum for Innovation

Sjónaukinn is also a place to discuss opportunities and serves as a forum for dialogue and for strengthening innovation in healthcare. The second day of the conference is dedicated to master’s students’ final projects, where future leaders in health sciences will present their research in areas such as nutrition among older adults, resilience and new technology.

“The aim is to create an inspiring discussion and shed light on the advances that will shape healthcare in the decades ahead. We are proud to host this conference annually and thereby create a platform for dialogue and knowledge transfer,” says Hafdís Skúladóttir, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Akureyri.

The conference is open to everyone and there is no conference fee, but registration via the University of Akureyri website is required.