Diary of a COO #4: The Summer of EBP
- Matt Bland
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
☀️ Welcome to the Summer of EBP! ☀️
On the understanding that summer isn't done and dusted (it is the UK after all), SEBP is launching the Summer of EBP. And you're invited.
The Society of Evidence Based Policing has always been about doing what works, sharing what works, and - when needed - questioning what doesn't. For more than a decade our conferences have brought police professionals together with researchers, companies, charities and others from the public sector. This summer, we want to do much more of that.
From June to September, we're delivering a national programme of online and in-person events designed to bring the evidence to life, led by practitioners, for practitioners. It's a significant moment for our movement, and we want you to be part of it.
What you can book now
Midlands Conference – 24 June, Leicester
Cost: Free
Hosted at De Montfort University, this one-day event brings together frontline professionals, researchers and leaders to dig into some of the biggest challenges facing UK policing today.
You'll hear from speakers including:
Paul Taylor – Chief Scientific Adviser, NPCC
R. Mark Evans – Deputy Chief Executive (ret), New Zealand Police
Professors Ben Bradford and Jonathan Jackson – Leading voices on trust and legitimacy
Tickets are live now and going fast.
Easier Said Than Done – Webinar Series
Cost: Free
Picking up where we left off in April, our Easier Said Than Done series returns with three sessions:
13 June – Hotspots: What Actually Works?
11 July – Problem Solving: From Theory to Practice
17 September – Artificial Intelligence in Policing
These sessions are free, online, and packed with practical insight. Last time, we had 400+ people join live—and this time, we're expecting even more. We're partnering with the Youth Endowment Fund in June and July and the International Policing Association in September.
National Conference – 10–11 September, Huddersfield
Cost: £99 for both days
We'll be back at the University of Huddersfield for the 13th annual National EBP Conference—the biggest and best EBP event on the calendar, anywhere in the world.
This year we'll be joined by:
Dr Amanda Goodall – Expert on evidence-based leadership and decision-making
Jonathan Hinder MP – Former police officer now influencing policy
And the real stars: Frontline officers and staff presenting work on retail crime, missing persons, gamification, misconduct, stop and search, police productivity and more
If you've been before, you know what to expect: real-world relevance, no fluff, and a genuine mix of researchers and practitioners.
National EBP Awards – 10 September, Huddersfield
Cost: £75 or £65 with conference ticket
Also opening for priority booking 1–7 June, our first ever National EBP Awards Dinner takes place at the Cedar Court Hotel. It's a chance to celebrate people and projects making real impact through evidence-based practice. Keep an eye out for more details over the coming weeks, including the awards and nomination process.
Coming later this summer
Global SEBP Conference – 21–22 July, Cambridge
Cost: £175 for both days
With a lineup that includes David Weisburd, Sir Andy Marsh, Lawrence Sherman, Lorraine Mazerolle, Iain Brennan, and Jerry Ratcliffe, this one speaks for itself. Two days of world-class insight in one of the world's most iconic university cities.
✋ Bookings open 28 May
Why this matters
Pulling off a decent conference is bloody hard work (I found this out the hard way last year), but SEBP has had it nailed for a long time. Last year's national conference was described as "world class" by more than one person – high praise indeed.
This summer, we're building on that foundation: bigger reach, better access, and more ways to learn, connect, and share what works. We know budgets are tight and opportunities for continuous professional development are ever under attack, so we're making these events as accessible as we can.
We hope you'll make the most of it – especially if it's raining. What excuse have you got? Just remember to keep an eye on our LinkedIn and check the SEBP Blog for updates.
Matt Bland, Chief Operating Officer, SEBP
