At the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine we have unique experience and expertise along with the specialist capabilities to understand the challenges of the pandemic age and respond to outbreaks of disease. While world leaders have taken on the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have turned to our researchers and scientists for guidance and insight. Never before has our research, our teaching and our mission to improve health worldwide been so vital.

We are the Centre for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, proudly part of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. We are a new specialist Centre, established to bring together global expertise, knowledge, research and teaching to help humanity adapt faster to outbreaks of disease.

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One thing COVID-19 has taught us is that the pathogen itself is only part of the story. In today’s world, the social, cultural, economic and political context is pivotal and the fallout much more far reaching and long-lasting. Being prepared in the pandemic era will mean taking this wider context and these broader factors into consideration.

It starts by understanding the COVID-19 pandemic for what it truly is, not a one-off crisis to be overcome, but a warning and a chance to think creatively and plan ahead. Together, we need to seize the moment, making this pandemic the catalyst for new ways of working, deeper insights and more systemic change.

To take on this challenge, the Centre on Epidemic Preparedness and Response will draw together and build on research and experience from the disciplines of public health and epidemiology and beyond. We will be a connector, drawing in political, social, economic and cultural expertise from across the world to create new insights, new methodologies and solutions that can help humanity adapt faster to outbreaks of disease. 

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