Events

Webinar: Research ethics showcase

📅 Wednesday 15 April 2026

🕧 10 to 11:30am 

Explore ways in which local authorities are approaching research ethics. Colleagues from Islington Council and Hertfordshire County Council share their experiences of setting up and running research ethics committees, and the Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by University of Southampton and Partners will share findings from their ethics pilot. 

They will discuss practical steps, what worked, and what they learned along the way with valuable insights from our speakers David Conrad, Deputy Director of Public Health and Director of Evidence & Intelligence, Hertfordshire Council, Alexandra Levitas, Embedded Researcher, Islington Council and Helen Buxton, Research Ethics and Governance Support Senior Manager, Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by University of Southampton and Partners. 

By attending this webinar, you will find out what ethical review approaches are being used in local authorities and have the opportunity to ask questions about each of these methods. 

Webinar: Learning disability inclusive research

📅 Tuesday 21 April 2026

🕧 10 to 11am 

Research inclusion: 'No research about us without us' - a collaborative research project led by people with learning disabilities, academic researchers and community partners. The project explored what true partnership in research looks like, the barriers that prevent people with learning disabilities from being equal research partners, and what needs to change. During the session, the research team will share key learning from the project, practical takeaways and recommendations for future research, and next steps for creating more inclusive and equitable research practice. 

Webinar: Is a career in research for me? - public health 

📅 Tuesday 21 April 2026

🕧 2:30 to 4pm 

This 90-minute webinar is for anyone interested in exploring research as part of their career in public health. The NIHR funds world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing, while also promoting economic growth. 

We also support research careers, offering opportunities to develop new skills, access training and funding, and join a supportive network, while contributing to research that has real-world impact. 

The webinar will cover: 

• insights into life as a research professional, shared by researchers at different career stages

• an overview of research career pathways and what research work looks like in practice

• key opportunities and challenges within research careers 

Attend to discover: 

• first-hand perspectives on what it’s really like to work in research

• the range of research roles and entry points available to those new to the field

• our role in supporting individuals to develop research skills and career development 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters at the end. 

UK Public Health Science Conference 2026

Previously held each November as the Lancet UK Public Health Science Conference, this fantastic event returns in a new spring timeslot. The conference offers an excellent opportunity to share your work, connect across sectors, and be inspired by world-class public health research! Now working in collaboration with the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health (SSMPH), the conference will be held on Tuesday 21 April 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne. A conference dinner and early career researcher event will take place on Monday 20 April. 

70th Society for Social Medicine & Population Health Annual Conference 2026

📅 Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 September 2026

📍 Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus

The Society’s 2026 Annual Conference is jointly organised with the International Epidemiology Association. This meeting will take place from Wednesday 9th September until Friday 11th September 2026 at the Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus. The conference will mark two 70th anniversaries: the 70th conference of the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health and the 70th year since IEA was founded.

The event will include a range of stellar keynote speakers, expert panellists, themed parallel sessions, plenaries and workshops. Early Career Researchers can also meet the day before, on Tuesday 8 September.

Webinar: Unlocking the power of routine data, part 1

📅 Tuesday 2 June 2026

🕧 10 to 11am 

An introduction and common pitfalls: Dr Megan Wood offers guidance on how to get the most from routine (already collected) data. In the webinar, Megan will cover how data you already have can be used to gather new insights, the benefits and challenges to be aware of, and top tips on how to get started.

Webinar: Unlocking the power of routine data, part 2

📅 Tuesday 6 October 2026

🕧 10 to 11am 

Data linkage and Connected Bradford: Dr Megan Wood delves deeper into the benefits of routine data and how data linkage can help us connect information from different sources and services to create a holistic picture. She will also share an overview of Connected Bradford, a platform providing secure access for researchers to linked data.