Several hundred researchers from the nursing and healthcare research fields gathered in Glasgow in April at the RCN’s European triennial international nursing research conference. Delegates and presenters -who came from as far afield as Canada, the USA, Taiwan and Australia – took part in a lively event, which reflected the growing sophistication of nursing research around the world. Indeed, the international theme will be present at this event from now on, and many delegates will already be pencilling details of the 2002 conference into their diaries (this will be held at Exeter University from 7-10 April).