SAVIR 2026 Annual Conference Summary

The 2026 Annual Conference of the Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR) brought together the injury and violence prevention community from April 13–15, 2026, in Providence. Over three days, the conference served as a dynamic forum for sharing cutting-edge research, strengthening partnerships, and advancing evidence-based strategies to prevent injury and violence.

This year’s conference welcomed 529 attendees representing 41 U.S. states and 4 countries, including researchers, practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and students. Notably, 30% of registrants were students or trainees.

Participants engaged across 4 plenary sessions, 20 concurrent sessions, 183 poster presentations, and 26 technical workshops, reflecting the breadth and depth of the field. Attendees also took part in skill-building workshops, networking events, and special sessions designed to foster collaboration and mentorship across disciplines and career stages.

The conference program featured a diverse mix of plenaries, workshops, oral presentations, and interactive formats highlighting advances in injury and violence prevention research, practice, and policy. Sessions emphasized key themes including firearm and community violence prevention, mental health and substance use, unintentional injury across the lifespan, and the influence of structural and environmental factors on risk. Across all formats, there was a strong emphasis on equity, data innovation, and translating evidence into real-world impact through community engagement, implementation science, and policy change.

SAVIR 2026 was made possible through the generous support of the cohost Rhode Island Hospital COBRE and 11 conference sponsors, whose contributions helped expand opportunities for engagement and impact. The conference also featured a vibrant exhibit hall showcasing 17 exhibitors and innovative programs from across the field.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of outstanding contributions to injury and violence prevention, including the inaugural class of SAVIR Fellows and the annual SAVIR Awards.

Beyond the formal program, attendees connected through networking receptions, mentoring opportunities, and community-building events that reinforced SAVIR’s commitment to a strong, inclusive, and collaborative professional community.

Building on a long-standing tradition of convening leaders in injury and violence prevention, SAVIR 2026 advanced the field by promoting rigorous science, amplifying diverse voices, and strengthening the bridge between research, policy, and practice.