- Date
- 15 December 2026
- Time
- 8:45am - 4:00pm
- Location
- Nexus
- Cost
- Free
Join researchers, policymakers and partners from across Leeds to explore how research and evidence can contribute to the city’s four Leeds Ambitions: Healthy, Growing, Thriving and Resilient.
The Leeds Ambitions Symposium will bring together researchers, policymakers and partners from across the city to explore how research and evidence can contribute to Leeds’ shared priorities for the future.
Leeds Ambitions is the city’s shared strategy for creating ‘a city at its best’, organised around four ambitions:
- Healthy: Health and wellbeing – reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes across all stages of life.
- Growing: Inclusive growth – fostering innovation and investment that benefits everyone, alongside education and skills.
- Thriving: Strong communities – supporting inclusive neighbourhoods and access to social, cultural and recreational opportunities.
- Resilient: Sustainable city – reducing emissions, restoring nature, strengthening climate resilience and supporting sustainable ways of living, working and travelling.
Through flash talks, panel discussions, and networking, the symposium will explore research relevant to these ambitions and strengthen connections between research, policy and practice across Leeds.
Who the event is for
The symposium is open to researchers, policymakers, practitioners and partners from the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds City Council, who are interested in the future of Leeds.
You can attend whether you are already involved with Leeds Ambitions, or engaging with the programme for the first time.
The day will provide opportunities to:
- learn about Leeds Ambitions and the priorities shaping the city
- hear research relevant to Healthy, Growing, Thriving and Resilient ambitions
- explore connections between research, policy and practice
- meet colleagues from the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City Council and organisations across the city and wider region
- identify opportunities for future collaboration.
Present your research
Researchers whose work connects with one or more of the Leeds Ambitions are invited to submit an abstract for a research flash talk.
We welcome submissions from researchers both new to Leeds Ambitions and those already involved in the programme.
Abstract deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 3 November 2026.
You do not need to submit an abstract to attend the symposium.
Provisional programme
Event programme and timings
- 8.45–9.30am: Registration and refreshments
- 9.30–10am: Welcome and keynote
- 10–10.45am: Healthy: Health and wellbeing – research flash talks and panel discussion
- 10.45–11.15am: Refreshment break
- 11.15–12pm: Growing: Inclusive growth – research flash talks and panel discussion
- 12–1pm: Networking lunch
- 1.30–2.15pm: Thriving: Strong communities – research flash talks and panel discussion
- 2.15–2.45pm: Break
- 2.45–3.30pm: Resilient: Sustainable city – research flash talks and panel discussion
- 3.30– 4pm: Closing and thanks
Book your place
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email Rachel Taylor-Phillips via r.e.taylor@leeds.ac.uk.