Social Outcomes Conference 2026 (SOC26)

The Social Outcomes Conference 2026 (SOC26) is the annual convening hosted by the Government Outcomes Lab at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. It brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to improving social outcomes through cross-sector partnerships, with a focus on shared learning and evidence-based practice.

The conference will take place in-person at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford, with an online participation option. This year's central theme is whether relational cross-sector partnerships hold the key to better social outcomes, exploring how organisations can balance formal accountability mechanisms with flexibility for iteration and data-led adaptation.

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Ole Helby Petersen (Roskilde University), whose work centres on public sector contracting, procurement, and public-private collaboration. As in previous years, sessions will feature discussions drawing on academic research alongside insights from practice across different geographies, disciplines, and policy areas.