Co-hosted with:
The Center for Global Development is hosting its Second Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure. The conference will convene researchers, policymakers, and implementers, all working to stamp out global lead poisoning.
In the last couple of years we have seen unprecedented growth of interest in lead exposure, with the launch of the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, the Lead Exposure Action Fund, and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative. To make the most of available resources and galvanise further action, we need data on which sources of exposure are the highest priority to tackle, and what interventions are most cost-effective.
Join us on 3-4 June, in London, as we bring together researchers from across disciplines, including environment, health, epidemiology, chemistry, economics, engineering, and dentistry—alongside implementers, policymakers, and funders—to translate research into action for a lead-free future.
For more information on the conference, please see here.
Day 1 | Wednesday, June 3, 2026
10:00-10:15 | Arrival |
10:15-10:30 | Welcome - Mikaela Gavas, Managing Director, Europe and Senior Fellow, CGD and Lee Crawfurd, Senior Research Fellow, CGD |
10:30-11:00 | Keynote – Phyllis Omido, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action |
11:00-12:20 | Panel : Exposure and Consumer Products - moderated by Laura Hughes, Financial Times
|
12:20-12:40 | Coffee Break + Snacks |
12:40-13:25 | Interactive Sessions
|
13:25-14:25 | Lunch |
14:25-15:45 | Panel: Surveillance - moderated by Akhil Bansal, Center for Global Development
|
15:45-16:05 | Coffee Break |
16:05-17:25 | Panel: Health Outcomes and Treatment - moderated by Pete Baker, Center for Global Development
|
17:25-17:30 | Closing - Lee Crawfurd, Senior Research Fellow, CGD |
17:30-18:30 | Reception |
Day 2 | Thursday, June 4, 2026
09:00-09:15 | Arrival |
09:15-10:35 | Panel: Policymaking and Outcomes - moderated by Miriam Wells, The Examination
|
10:35-10:55 | Coffee Break |
10:55-12:15 | Panel: Exposure and the Environment - moderated by Maria Jose Talayero, Center for Global Development
|
12:15-12:25 | Production buffer |
12:25-13:10 | Interactive Sessions
|
13:10-14:10 | Lunch |
14:10-14:55 | Interactive Sessions
|
14:55-15:40 | Panel: Science-Based Policies for a Lead-Free Future: How Research Drives Real-World Action - moderated by Angela Bandermehr, Senior Programme Specialist, Partnership for a Lead-Free Future Secretariat
|
15:40-15:45 | Closing - Lee Crawfurd, Senior Research Fellow, CGD |
Q: When is the conference?
A: The conference will take place June 3–4. The program will begin at 10:00 am on June 3, and conclude at 16:00 on June 4. There will be a reception at the venue on June 3 from 17:30–19:30.
Q: Where will the conference be held?
A: The conference will be held at The View in The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The full address is 38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, United Kingdom.
Q: How do I register to attend?
A: Registration is available on CGD’s website.
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: No, the conference is free to attend.
Q: Is there a registration deadline?
A: There is no formal registration deadline. However, it is possible that in-person registration will reach capacity, so we recommend registering as soon as you are confident of your attendance.
Q: Is travel support (funding) available?
A: We regret that CGD is unable to provide travel support (funding) or other compensation to attendees.
Q: I cannot attend in person but still wish to hear the presentations. Is there a virtual option to attend?
A: Yes, all conference sessions will be livestreamed. Please register for the conference once registration opens, indicating your virtual attendance. We will circulate links closer to the conference date.
Q: I am planning to travel by plane. Which airport should I use?
A: Every London airport is 1–2 hours from central London by public transport; any London airport— LHR, LTN, STN, LCY—is acceptable.
Q: I am arriving by plane to London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Gatwick (LGW), or London Stansted (STN). How can I get to the conference?
A:
By taxi: Rideshare and taxis are available at all airports. Cost will vary depending on timing and surge pricing, but on average expect to pay roughly £80 for a rideshare from LHR; £ from LGW; £150 from STN; and £130 from LTN.
By train: Alternatively, you can transfer by train or metro (London Underground):
From LHR: Take the Picadilly Line tube heading east. Exit at Holborn, which is about a 5-minute walk from the venue.
From LTN: Take the Thameslink train heading south. Exit at City Thameslink Station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the venue.
From LGW: Take the Thameslink train heading north. Exit at City Thameslink Station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the venue.
From STN: Take the Stanstead Express train heading north. Exit at Liverpool Street Station. Then take the Central line tube heading west. Use the Holborn stop, which is about a 15-minute walk from the venue.
From LCY: Take the DLR metro heading west. At Bank station change onto the Central line heading east. Exit at Holborn, which is about a 5-minute walk from the venue.
NOTE: Contactless card payments at the gates can be used for metro, bus, and Thameslink trains. For the Stanstead Express train, you will need to buy a ticket from a kiosk or using the Trainline app.
Q: I am arriving by train or bus to London. How should I navigate to the conference venue?
A: Most national rail services arrive at central London terminals (e.g., London Euston station, London King's Cross station, London Victoria station). From these, take the Tube to Holborn (Central or Piccadilly lines), or walk (~20–25 minutes from King’s Cross / Euston). Holborn station is ~2 minutes walk from the venue. Taxis/rideshares are also widely available (~£10–£25 depending on distance).
NOTE: Contactless card payments at the gates can be used for metro, bus, and Thameslink trains.
Q: I plan to drive to the conference venue. Where can I park?
A: Driving in central London is generally not recommended due to congestion and limited parking. The venue is within the London Congestion Charge zone, which applies fees on weekdays. Nearby parking is limited and extremely expensive. The nearest option is NCP London Bloomsbury Square, a 7-minute walk from the venue.
Q: I am taking the tube from elsewhere in the London area. What is the most convenient tube stop?
A: Holborn station is on the Picadilly Line and the Central line and is a 2-minute walk from the venue.
Q: Where should I stay in London?
A: Options for walking distance from the venue include:
The Z Hotel City: £140 per night
Premier Inn Holborn Hotel: £250 per night
The Hoxton Holborn: £400 per night
Q: Where can I find more information about the event, including the agenda?
A: All relevant details will made available in due course via the conference webpage.
Q: Will videos from the conference be made available online?
A: Yes, videos of all sessions will be made available via YouTube and the CGD website after the conference.
Q: How can I stay connected to CGD after the conference?
A: To stay connected to CGD and its work on lead, we invite you to sign up here for our mailing list. Through this list, you will receive biweekly updates from the lead community, invitations to join monthly check-in calls of lead researchers and stakeholders, alerts about relevant new research, and invitations to future CGD lead events.
Please reach out to Caroline Mallory ([email protected]) with any further questions.
Related Work
-
Event
First Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure
HYBRID
June 03, 2025 12:00—6:00 PM ET (June 3rd) | 9:00 AM—5:30 PM ET (June 4th)
