Explore PSIRU’s events and activities, from international conferences and research seminars to training programmes and policy discussions. Through events, our team engages with researchers, trade unions, policymakers, and activists around the world to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and advance the debate on the future of public services.
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Upcoming Events
Our upcoming events list is currently being updated – check back again soon.
Past Events
16–17 September 2026
Public Services Fightback Conference
Madrid
Director Vera Weghmann participated in the opening panel of this international conference organised by Public Services International (PSI).
15 September 2026
PSIRU Public Service Research Conference 2026
Online
PSIRU and Public Services International (PSI) organised a joint conference focused on research and policy relating to public services.
6–11 July 2026
PSIRU Summer School 2026
University of Greenwich, London
PSIRU and its international partners delivered an intensive training programme on research skills, campaigning, and strategies for reclaiming public ownership, bringing together trade unionists and activists from around the world.
1–3 July 2026
28th Association for Heterodox Economics (AHE) Conference
Coimbra, Portugal
PSIRU coordinated the Concretely Utopian Public Services stream, with contributions from Emanuele Lobina, Conor Gray and Julia Bacchieri Indiani.
December 2025
Water Justice and Public–Public Partnerships Meeting
Lagos, Nigeria
Emanuele Lobina presented international evidence on water privatisation, remunicipalisation and public–public partnerships to policymakers, trade unions and civil society.
8 December 2025
London and Paris Calling: From Conspicuous Accumulation to Deep Sustainable Development in the Water Sector
Greenwich, London
Emanuele Lobina and Conor Gray presented their research on water financialisation and ownership models.
27–30 October 2025
6th Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Congress
Bonn, Germany
Emanuele Lobina participated in discussions on strengthening public water utilities through partnerships and worker participation.
27 October 2025
Water Financialisation in Brazil: Who Gains?
Online
PSIRU hosted a research seminar featuring Emanuele Lobina, Barbara Furtado Barra, Léo Heller and contributions from David Hall and other experts.
21 October 2025
Towards a History of Global Water Development? Against Cognitive Dissonance
Greenwich, London
Emanuele Lobina and Conor Gray presented findings at a PEGFA research seminar.
29 June–6 July 2025
Inaugural PSIRU Summer School
Greenwich, London
PSIRU and its international partners delivered practical research training for trade unionists and campaigners from around the world.
18–20 June 2025
27th Annual AHE Conference
King’s College London
Conor Gray and Emanuele Lobina presented research on critical realist modelling of water reform in England and Wales.
10 June 2025
People’s Commission on the Water Sector – Event Four: Securing Public Value
Henley-on-Thames
David Hall contributed expert evidence on water company finances, public investment and public ownership.
April 2025
UCL Development Planning Unit Guest Lecture
London
Emanuele Lobina shared international lessons on water justice and transformative remunicipalisation with visitors from a Brazilian water utility.
27 March 2025
People’s Commission on the Water Sector – Event One: International Water Systems
Online
Emanuele Lobina delivered the opening summary, while Vera Weghmann spoke about water remunicipalisation in Berlin.
26 March 2025
Water Resilience: Putting People and Planet First
Brussels
Vera Weghmann delivered the keynote address at an event jointly organised by AK EUROPA and EPSU.
24 March 2025
Public Policies and Water Justice in the Face of Water Financialisation
Spanish Parliament, Madrid
Emanuele Lobina presented a critique of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, drawing on research co-authored with Conor Gray.
21 March 2025
Private Water in Trouble: Where Next for the British Water Industry?
Online
David Hall spoke alongside Kate Bayliss in a JustWaterFutures seminar examining Thames Water, privatisation and alternative approaches.
20 February 2025
Burning Waste, Fuelling Inequality
University of Glasgow
Vera Weghmann was invited to present her research on the political economy of privatised waste-to-energy schemes, resistance and public alternatives.