LEPH2026 to focus on responding to vulnerability at the intersection of policing and public health

From 6–9 September, LEPH2026, the 8th International Conference on Law Enforcement & Public Health will take place at the University of Leeds, UK. Bringing together global experts across policing, public health, research and policy, the event provides a unique platform to explore vulnerability and shape forward-thinking, evidence-based approaches.

The event takes place at a moment when police forces, public health systems, and social care agencies worldwide are confronting rising levels of vulnerability and increasingly complex demand.

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.

Looking ahead to Leeds

Registration for LEPH2026 is already open, with early bird rates available until 31 May 2026. 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.