The Strathmore team will participate in the Organisational Behavior in Health Care Conference 2026, scheduled to take place from 8th to 10th April 2026 at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. The conference brings together global scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to explore emerging issues in health systems, leadership, and workforce governance.

At the conference, the team will present three scholarly abstracts that address critical Human Resources for Health (HRH) and workforce governance challenges in Kenya and comparable low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. These presentations reflect Strathmore’s ongoing commitment to evidence-based research and policy dialogue on strengthening health systems.

One of the papers, “Student or Healthcare Worker?”, explores the complex realities surrounding healthcare interns in Kenya. The analysis examines the interplay of policy, politics, and practice in the development, deployment, and management of interns, highlighting tensions between training objectives, service delivery demands, and regulatory frameworks. The study sheds light on the dilemmas faced by health institutions as they balance learning and service provision.

The second paper, “From Formality to Professionality,” focuses on the professionalization of community health workers in Kenya and other LMICs. It examines pathways and policy options for institutionalizing community health work, strengthening standards of practice, and ensuring workforce sustainability. The paper contributes to ongoing discussions on how community health workers can be better integrated and recognized within formal health systems.

The third presentation, “Human Resources for Health Reforms in Kenya,” provides an in-depth review of recent HRH reform initiatives. It highlights key interventions, lessons learned, and policy-relevant recommendations aimed at improving health workforce governance and overall system performance. The analysis offers insights into how reforms can be designed and implemented to achieve more resilient and responsive health systems.

Through these presentations, the Strathmore team will contribute empirical evidence and policy insights to global debates on health workforce organization, professionalization, and reform. Participation in the Oxford conference also underscores Strathmore’s role in advancing thought leadership on health systems and workforce development, while strengthening international academic and policy collaborations.

As conversations around health workforce challenges continue to evolve globally, such platforms remain essential for sharing knowledge, shaping policy, and driving sustainable health system transformation.