UrbanBirth Collective Forum 2026
About this event
The UrbanBirth Collective (UBC) Forum is positioned within the broader context of growing global attention to maternal and newborn health challenges in rapidly urbanising settings. Cities present complex environments where health outcomes are shaped not only by healthcare systems, but also by social inequalities, infrastructure, environmental conditions, and governance. The forum responds to the need for a more integrated and interdisciplinary understanding of these challenges, bringing together perspectives from health, urban planning, social sciences, and policy.
Unlike traditional conferences, the UBC Forum is designed as a small, highly interactive gathering that prioritises dialogue, collaboration, community building through cultural approaches, and in-depth discussion over formal presentations. The forum also situates health within the lived realities of women and families, acknowledging the importance of factors such as mobility, housing, and socio-economic conditions in shaping care access and experiences.
During the UBC Forum, the aim will be to encourage exchanges across disciplines, sectors, and geographic contexts to help participants gain a better understanding of urban health systems. Additionally, it highlights the importance of linking research to policy and practice, particularly in improving communication with decision-makers. The inclusion of diverse stakeholders, including early-career researchers, further reinforces its collaborative and forward-looking approach. Overall, the UBC Forum reflects a shift towards more participatory, interdisciplinary, and action-oriented efforts to address maternal and newborn health in cities.
For whom?
The UBC Forum is by invitation only and targets an interdisciplinary audience of experts, researchers, and decision-makers working at the intersection of health, cities, and policy. This includes:
Maternal and newborn health experts
Public health and health systems specialists
Urban planners and geographers
Transport and housing researchers
Statisticians and mathematical modellers
Social scientists and artists
Civil society representatives
City administrators and policymakers
Early-career researchers (explicitly encouraged)
Contact
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UrbanBirth Collective
The UrbanBirth Collective is a partnership of research institutions working together to conduct impactful, context-specific research that addresses the complex issues of maternal and newborn health in urban settings.
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