Co-hosted by the Union of Medical and Relief Organisation (UOSSM), the Syrian Research Group (SyRG) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and National University of Singapore, the Syria Public Health Network, Research for Health Systems Strengthening in northern Syria (R4HSSS) and Research for Health in Conflict in the Middle East and North Africa (R4HC-MENA) programmes in the Conflict and Health Research Group at King’s College London, you are invited to attend the Second Syria Health Research Conference. The conference will be held virtually on Zoom between 9.15 and 15.00.

This one-day conference will bring together experts from academia, front-line health actors and NGOs to showcase original research on current health issues in Syria, spanning from health system governance to epidemiology to many other disciplines within global health.

Entering its tenth year, the Syrian conflict is still one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. The conflict has severely impacted the health of Syrians both inside Syria and those who fled the country seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and Europe. The detrimental impacts on health have been caused by both direct effects; such as death, injuries and destruction of health infrastructure; and indirect effects such as the collapse of the health system and interruption of treatments. While the humanitarian health response has attempted to alleviate some of the suffering, it is important to draw lessons on health needs, response, and consequences of this conflict. Research plays a key role in drawing upon these lessons which could help improve the health response in Syria and elsewhere.

This event will sit at the interface of academia and practice and touch upon theoretical and practical dilemmas when conducting health research in the Syrian conflict. Co-hosted by several research groups heavily involved in Syria health research along with an international Syrian health NGO that continues to be involved in all aspects of the health response in Syria, the aim of this event is to bring academics and practitioners together to discuss the challenges and the opportunities of conducting health research in the Syrian conflict and in conflict settings more widely.

The conference will include presentations of papers and research conducted inside Syria and in neighbouring countries by both Syrian and international researchers. The presentations are grouped in the following themes:

  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health in Syria
  • Health systems adaptation in the Syrian conflict
  • Health research, medical education and training
  • Non-communicable diseases.
  • Reviews and evaluations of clinical interventions
  • Multidisciplinary partnerships between research institutions and humanitarian actors, and evaluation of humanitarian interventions

Registration is free. The event will also be livestreamed. Please check the CHRG twitter account for a link to the stream on the day of the event.

To join us please register here. After registration, and close to the event date, you will receive further information on the schedule of the day, list of speakers, and links to breakout groups.

Please ensure the email address you sign up with is the email address you login to the meeting and breakout room event.

For any queries, please contact Syriahealthconference@gmail.com