Building on Tradition of Safety, Leadership, and Preparedness
Since 2023, the UC Merced Safety Conference has brought together professionals from higher educaiton, K–12 education, public safety, emergency management, environmental health and safety, behavioral health, healthcare, and government agencies to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance campus safety.
Held every two years, the conference serves as a forum for thought leaders and practitioners to explore emerging challenges, exchange innovative ideas, and develop practical solutions that strengthen preparedness and resilience across our communities.
Each conference builds upon the last—expanding opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and meaningful conversations that help shape the future of campus safety.
Explore our Conference History
2025 Safety Conference
September 23-24, 2025
The second UC Merced Safety Conference welcomed nearly 300 attendees for two days of nationally recognized keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions on emerging issues including targeted violence prevention, artificial intelligence, behavioral intervention, human trafficking, crisis communications, cybersecurity, and campus resilience.
2023 Safety Confernce
September 27, 2023
The inaugural UC Merced Safety Conference established a new tradition dedicated to collaboration, education, and preparedness. The conference featured keynote speaker Dr. Jill McCluskey, co-founder of the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, along with subject matter experts from higher education, public safety, emergency management, and government agencies sharing lessons learned and best practices for creating safer campuses.
Conference by the Numbers
2 Safety Conferences Hosted
500+ Attendees since 2023
40+ Educational Sessions
30+ Nationally Recognized Speakers
20+ Partner Organizations Represented
Looking ahead
Planning is already underway for the 2027 UC Merced Safety Conference, where we will continue our commitment to fostering collaboration, sharing innovative ideas, and preparing leaders to meet the evolving safety challenges facing higher education and our communities.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next chapter of the UC Merced Safety Conference.
