Accessing the mainstream: PENDA Conference on evidence to inform disability action
The final conference on the Programme for Evidence to Inform Disability Action (PENDA) will be held in London, UK on 26-27 November 2026.
This autumn sees the successful conclusion of the PENDA research initiative funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Over the last eight years, PENDA has worked with partners across Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia to strengthen the evidence base on disability inclusion.
The programme has delivered impact evaluations and process evaluations of interventions, conducted secondary analyses of large datasets (including UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys), and supported doctoral researchers with disabilities. This work has generated new insights into what improves access to services, participation, and outcomes for people with disabilities.
In addition, the UK home of PENDA, the International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED) at LSHTM, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.
This conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and organisations of persons with disabilities both from PENDA and the wider field. The purpose is to share evidence and learning from the 13 PENDA interventions that aim to improve the lives of people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. We also invite submissions from beyond PENDA, focused on "what works for disability inclusive development". We particularly welcome empirical evidence, wherever possible, particularly from impact and process evaluations, in what works, and in which contexts for people with disabilities.
As an inclusive event, accommodations will be put in place to maximise participation, including international sign language and live captioning, accessible venue and facilities and quiet spaces.
Abstract submission has now closed. We will be in touch with the successful applicants soon.
Registration is required to attend the conference.
Format and programme
This two-day conference will be held in London and will comprise:
- Keynote speakers
- Presentations on PENDA’s evaluations
- Parallel paper sessions
- Poster presentations
- Networking evening
The provisional agenda of the conference is now available for viewing.
Key dates
- Call for abstracts: June-August2026
- Abstracts deadline: 31 August 2026
- Selection of abstracts and feedback: by 30 September 2026
- Registration opens: now available - Registration fee payable (concessions available to students and attendees from LMICs)
- Registration closes: November 2026
- Conference: 26 and 27 November 2026
Event notices
- Please note this event is in-person only
- Please note the event will not be recorded
Admission
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