In an effort to expand the pipeline for, and foster collaboration in, the field of firearm injury prevention research, more than 500 researchers are gathering Nov. 30-Dec. 1 for the 2022 National Research Conference on Firearm Injury Prevention in Washington, D.C.

The two-day meeting—the largest research conference held for this field of study—is co-organized by the University of Michigan, Columbia University and the Rand Corp. More than 570 researchers from 37 states and five countries are registered to attend, representing more than 250 different institutions.

Some 260 presentations will include work from more than 20 research disciplines including medicine, public health, anthropology, business, economics, criminal justice, law, sociology, social work, political science and engineering. Scientific programming includes topics such as firearm suicide prevention, community and youth firearm violence, school shootings, intimate partner firearm violence, firearm injury prevention policy, data access and development, and disparate community impact.

“We are excited to see so many faculty, students, community partners and other firearm injury prevention organizations coming together to discuss the latest science and evidence-based strategies in this growing field,” according to a statement from the conference executive committee co-chairs.

“By providing opportunities for collaboration, connection and innovation, we hope this conference (and future conferences) will enhance the evidence base for firearm injury prevention so that this issue can be addressed effectively, and ultimately save lives across our nation.”

Following the reversal of a decades-long halt on federal dollars being allocated to this field of study, firearm injury prevention science has grown significantly in recent years. This year, researchers found that firearms were the leading cause of death among individuals ages 1 to 19 in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

In order to maintain the momentum of the growing field of researchers, conference organizers have announced the formation of the Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms to promote and support rigorous research and the evaluation of evidence-based practices to prevent firearm-related harms across the life course.

View the full conference scientific programing schedule and list of abstracts on the conference website.