LEPH2026 is designed not simply to present data or emerging practice, but to examine how systems respond to people in crisis, and how health, social care, and enforcement agencies can reduce harm more effectively when working together.
When Leeds welcomes delegates to LEPH2026 this September, it will do so at a moment when police forces, public health systems, and social care agencies worldwide are confronting rising levels of vulnerability and increasingly complex demand. Running from 6–9 September 2026, the conference brings an established global forum back to the UK, following the 2019 conference in Edinburgh and previous events in North America, Africa, and Europe.
Jointly organised by the ESRC Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre and the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA), the conference focuses its 2026 programme on the intersection of vulnerability, policing, and public health — a theme that has gained renewed urgency across sectors. LEPH2026 is designed not simply to present data or emerging practice, but to examine how systems respond to people in crisis, and how health, social care, and enforcement agencies can reduce harm more effectively when working together.
That commitment to multidisciplinary exchange is reflected in both the structure and the content of the programme. Delegates will hear from academics, practitioners, community leaders, and policymakers whose work addresses vulnerability from very different angles. The conference’s traditional mix of Panel Sessions and the Marketplace of Ideas remains central in 2026, supporting both research-led debate and practice-centred knowledge exchange.
Exploring vulnerability through multiple lenses
One of the defining features of the LEPH series has always been the breadth of expertise represented among its speakers, and the 2026 lineup continues that trend. David Thacher of the University of Michigan — widely regarded for his work examining the moral underpinnings of police institutions — will help frame discussions around the role of discretion, ethics, and community impact in addressing vulnerability.
The UK’s own efforts to address inequality and disproportionality will also be highlighted. Dr Alison Heydari, who leads the NPCC Race Action Plan, is expected to contribute to conversations about trust and legitimacy within community policing. Her national role situates her at the centre of ongoing reform efforts aimed at improving outcomes for minoritised communities.
Elsewhere, global perspectives will be brought into focus by experts such as Professor Ingrid Nyborg of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, whose research in gender, security, and development speaks to the ways vulnerability is shaped by conflict, displacement, and social change. Similarly, Professor Simon Lindgren, a leading digital sociologist from Umeå University, will introduce questions around digital harm, online exploitation, and the changing social landscapes in which vulnerability emerges.
At the practice front line, Gary Ritchie, KPM, former Assistant Chief Constable of Police Scotland, will offer insight into police leadership, community engagement, and organisational change. His experience reflects the operational realities faced by services trying to respond more effectively to the needs of vulnerable people.
Rounding out this range of perspectives is Professor Paul Taylor, national Chief Scientific Adviser for Policing, whose role is to deepen and expand police capability to harness science and technology to prevent crime and keep people safe.
Public health at the forefront
Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, brings national leadership experience from within the UK’s public health community, highlighting the importance of prevention-oriented strategies and the population level drivers of vulnerability. Meanwhile, Dr Amy Stevens, a Yorkshire-based Public Health Consultant with international expertise, is expected to bridge discussions between global health, local systems, and community-level approaches to harm reduction.
Locally, Alison Lowe OBE, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire, connects the conference directly to its host region. With a background spanning community advocacy and police governance, Lowe is well-placed to highlight how regional partnerships are addressing vulnerability across policing, health, and social care.
Further academic depth will be provided by Professor Kate Pickett, the University of York epidemiologist whose research into inequality has shaped international debates on social determinants of health. Her presence underscores a key message of LEPH2026: that vulnerability is not merely an operational issue but one rooted in social structure, opportunity, and policy.
Looking ahead to Leeds
Registration for LEPH2026 is already open, with a closing date of 21 August so be sure to register your place! Delegates can expect four days of presentations, debate, and collaboration at the University of Leeds, supported by a network of international practitioners and researchers committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
In addition to the conference, there are also several pre-conference events taking place in Leeds from 4-5 September, covering topics such as first responders and wellbeing; lived experience, policing and mental health; and drugs harm reduction. These provide a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange and building networks in these specialist areas.
As vulnerability continues to shape public service demand and policy direction across the globe, LEPH2026 offers a timely platform for evidence, practice, and innovation to meet. The diverse perspectives of its speakers — from policing and digital sociology to epidemiology and international development — demonstrate not only the scale of the challenge but also the potential for shared solutions.
