Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles and Practices
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy + Online
25-27 February 2026
The Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices offers an interdisciplinary forum to explore the meaning and purpose of design. Our aim is to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries. The 20th anniversary of DPP provides a valuable opportunity to assess how well our principles and practices have performed and to envision how Design must adapt to meet the challenges of the near future. This moment invites us to reinforce Design’s cultural role as a catalyst for meaningful, lasting change. We call on researchers across all domains of Design to explore the concept of Time, reflecting on its influence in any aspect of Design practice or research. What changes would you advocate for in the next 20 years? Learn more about registration.
2025 Special Focus—Design Across Time
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Southern Sociological Society (SSS) Annual Meeting
Jacksonville, FL, 8-11 March 2026
The SSS annual meeting is constructed entirely out of member submissions. Submissions are considered from the breadth and depth of the discipline, regardless of the theme of the 2026 Annual Conference. There are six submission types: individual papers, poster presentations, full session proposals, flash talks, roundtables, and special sessions. To submit to SSS 2026, please visit our membership portal. The 2026 Annual theme, Empowered Sociologists: Agency and Action towards Social Change, is a call to action for empowered thought leaders to uphold the ethical mission of the Southern Sociological Society. Sociologists are well-positioned to lead through times of rapid social change with our collective action. In an era when many feel disempowered, this call serves as a reminder of the strength of sociology and the contributions of sociologists. It is also a reminder of the Society’s mission to apply our knowledge and training to address and resolve societal problems. Learn more about registration.
2026 Special Focus—Empowered Sociologists: Agency and Action Towards Social Change
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Media Trainings
The Diversity Scholars Network is hosting three Faculty Media Trainings in October and three Advanced Media Trainings in March.
The media trainings held in
October are designed to help faculty prepare for and feel confident conducting print and broadcast interviews. While the media trainings offered in
March build on our previous sessions and will include mock interviews. Each of these trainings will be led by
Fernanda Pires of Michigan News at U-M. Click here for more information on these training sessions.
- Advanced Media training
- March 10th, 11th, and 12th from 12:00pm - 1:30pm.
- 412 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Applied Anthropology (SfAA) 86th Annual Meeting
Alburquerque, New Mexico, 17-21 March 2026
The Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) invites abstracts (sessions, papers, posters, and videos) for the Program of the 86th Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM, March 17-21, 2026. The theme of the Program is “Everyday Practice of Applied Anthropology.”
The 2026 SfAA Annual Meeting offers researchers, practitioners, and students from diverse disciplines and organizations the opportunity to discuss their work and consider how it can contribute to a better future. SfAA members come from a host of disciplines -- anthropology, geography, sociology, economics, business, planning, medicine, nursing, law, and more. The annual meeting provides a fertile venue in which to trade ideas, methods, and practical solutions, as well as an opportunity to enter the lifeworlds of other professionals. The deadline for abstract submission is October 15, 2025. For additional information on the theme, abstract size/format, and the meeting, please visit our web page and click on annual meeting.
Theme-Everday Practice of Applied Anthropology
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Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting
Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta in St. Louis, Missouri, 26-29 March 2026
The MSS invites submissions for the 2026 Annual Meeting beginning August 1, 2025. MSS Program Chair Michael Haedicke has selected an important theme for reflection for this year's conference: "Care and the Sociological Vocation: Learning About, Through, and With Care." More information can be found at the conference website.
2026 Special Focus—Care the the Sociological Vocation
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CfP: 16th International Conference on the Constructed Environment
Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, 14-15 May 2026
The Sixteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment invites participants to explore the intersections between spatial design, human experiences, and contemporary global challenges. Under the theme From the Home to the City: Designing Spatial Experiences, this conference addresses how thoughtfully designed environments—from intimate domestic interiors to expansive urban landscapes—can foster human well-being, community connection, and environmental sustainability.
At the domestic scale, we examine how homes shape daily routines, emotional health, and social interactions, highlighting the critical role of design in creating spaces of care, comfort, and dignity. Amidst ongoing global shifts such as remote work, aging populations, and housing crises, we invite research to consider both technical dimensions—including sustainability, adaptability, and healthy materials—and sensory experiences involving spatial form, natural light, and tactile qualities. Echoing architect Kazuo Shinohara, we reflect on how domestic spaces are deeply embedded in human identity and cultural expression.
At the urban scale, we aim to understand how cities can cultivate inclusive, resilient, and engaging environments amidst rapid urbanization, climate change, and socio-economic disparities. We invite contributions investigating participatory urban planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and empathetic design practices that foster safety, accessibility, and belonging. As urbanist Jan Gehl observed, thriving cities are spaces of joyful human interaction designed for lingering, sharing, and meaningful connection.
Additionally, we welcome research on intermediate scales—such as shared community spaces, transitional interiors, neighborhoods, and collective housing—that bridge private and public realms. These environments represent thresholds of care and encounter, requiring responsive design strategies that address complex and overlapping needs.
Proposals are invited across disciplines including architecture, urban planning, interior design, engineering, environmental psychology, and interdisciplinary fields. We particularly encourage submissions aligned with the following four thematic areas:
1. The Design of Space and Place: Exploring how spaces are defined not only by physical boundaries but by rituals, memory, and emotional connections, emphasizing the choreographic role of design in fostering meaningful inhabitation.
2. Constructing the Environment: Examining the role of everyday objects and material systems in shaping human experiences, from small-scale domestic artifacts to flexible, adaptive structures that support both rootedness and mobility.
3. Environmental Impacts: Investigating how the built environment mirrors and influences our ecological relationships, emphasizing aesthetics and sustainability as interlinked values guiding ethical design practices.
4. Social Impacts: Reflecting on how spatial design can promote inclusivity, equity, and social justice, addressing critical questions of belonging, care infrastructures, and community visibility in built environments.
We invite innovative, multidisciplinary contributions that critically engage with these themes, advancing the discourse on designing resilient, empathetic, and sustainable spaces for contemporary life.
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Twenty-First International Conference on the Arts in Society
Department of Theatre Studies, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 10-12 June 2026
We are pleased to share with you the Call for Papers for the Twenty-First International Conference on the Arts in Society, to be hosted by the Department of Theatre Studies, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 10-12 June 2026.
All presenters are also encouraged to submit their paper to the companion journal collection The Arts in Society Journal Collection. Find out more about the journal collection.
2026 Special Focus—Modeling Life Systems: Art, Algorithms, Ecologies
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Seventeenth International Conference on Sport & Society
University of Inland, Norawy, 11-12 June 2026
As societies confront accelerating crises such as ecological instability and political fragmentation, sport stands at a critical juncture. Can it remain a progressive force, or is it increasingly outpaced by societal transformation? We invited contributors to the conference to explore how the future of sport hinges on its ability to confront tensions between innovation and control, inclusion and exclusion, care and commerce. More information can be found at the conference website.
2026 Special Focus—Innovation, Transformation, Contestation: Can Sport Keep Up with Society’s Future?
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Eleventh International Conference on Tourism and Leisure Studies
Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras, Greece, 15-17 June 2026
The tourism and leisure sector, a vital part of global economies and cultural exchange, faces rapidly evolving challenges. The conference, "Pathways to Resilience: Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Leisure," will highlight the need for transformative, resilient approaches to address emerging mega-trends in tourism. Climate change, geopolitical instability, and shifting traveler expectations—particularly the demand for responsible experiences—call for a shift beyond mass tourism. This shift involves embracing alternative models, such as ecotourism and community-based tourism, emphasizing environmental protection, local empowerment, and cultural preservation.
The conference will examine the social dimensions of sustainable tourism, exploring ways to foster inclusive growth and community well-being. In addition, it will address the role of technology, including AI, in shaping tourism’s future through personalized experiences and sustainable resource management. The conference aims to bring together academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and local communities to showcase innovative strategies that minimize environmental impact, maximize socio-economic benefits, and enhance the visitor experience. Participants will discuss cutting-edge research, best practices, and emerging trends, contributing to a more resilient and responsible future. This global forum will tackle critical issues such as overtourism, resource depletion, cultural commodification, equitable benefit distribution, and the ethical implications of AI. By integrating sustainable practices and transitioning toward alternative tourism models, the sector can navigate uncertainties, enhance long-term viability, and contribute to a more equitable, environmentally conscious society. Learn more.
2026 Special Focus—Pathways to Resilience; Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Leisure
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Work and Family Researchers Network
Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, 17-20 June 2026
The next Work and Family Researchers Network Conference will be held June 17-20, 2026 at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. The conference theme is Centering Care Across the Life Course. More than 500 stakeholders in the work-family field are anticipated to attend, with a dynamic program focused on meaningful exchanges. Submissions open in July and close November 1, 2025. More information can be found at the conference website.
2026 Special Focus—Centering Care Across the Life Course
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Sixteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society
Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya, Lima, Peru and Online, 22-23 June 2026
Founded in 2011, the Religion in Society Research Network explores the relationship between religion in society and the changing nature of spirituality. We seek to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries. As a Research Network, we are defined by our scope and concerns and motivated to build strategies for action framed by our shared themes and tensions. Learn more about submission and registration.
2026 Special Focus—Indigenous Spiritualities in Global Perspective
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Criminal Justice Association of Georgia (CJAG) Annual Conference
Albany State University, Albany, Georgia, 25-26 September 2026
We welcome proposals for research presentations, roundtables, panels, workshops, and student-led sessions.
Submit your abstract here. CJAG’s official peer-reviewed journal, The Pursuit, is currently accepting manuscript submissions. Presenters and non-presenters alike are encouraged to submit original research, practice-based articles, and scholarly essays related to criminal justice, criminology, or public safety. More information found on the website.
2026 Special Focus—The Future of Criminal Justice: Navigating the New Normal
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Seventeenth International Conference on the Image
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore + Online, 1-2 October 2026
This year’s special focus examines how visual media serve as agents of cultural dialogue, activism, and change, particularly within complex and pluralistic societies. Images do more than reflect the world; they intervene in it. Whether mobilised to document injustice, amplify marginalised voices, reframe dominant narratives, or inspire solidarity, images hold or possess the capacity to advocate. As technologies evolve and the circulation of images intensifies, so too does the need to critically assess how they shape public consciousness and cultural meaning. This conference invites an exploration of how visual forms, across analogue, digital, and emerging mediums, operate as tools of advocacy within their own cultural contexts and in dialogue with others, placing an emphasis on practices that are situated, responsive, and ethically engaged. We ask: What are the possibilities and limits of the image as advocate? How does visual advocacy operate across linguistic, societal and cultural thresholds? And what pedagogies, platforms, or ethics are needed to support such work? In gathering diverse voices, we aim to cultivate a conversation on how images not only represent but also actively shape the cultures from which they emerge. More information can be found at the conference website.
2026 Special Focus—The Image as Advocate: Shaping Cultural Conversations
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Sixteenth International Conference on Food Studies
University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan, 10-12 October 2026 and Online
The Sixteenth International Conference on Food Studies will be held in Osaka, Japan—a city whose identity, culture, and cuisine have been shaped by water for centuries. Known historically as the “Kitchen of the Nation,” Osaka flourished as a hub of trade and food distribution, made possible by its extensive river and canal networks. Today, this rich heritage offers a powerful context for exploring the conference’s special theme: Living with Water: Food and Life.
In Osaka, water is more than a resource—it is a foundation for food culture, daily life, and ecological understanding. From the soft water used to make dashi, to the thriving markets that once received goods from across Japan, the city embodies a deep connection between water systems and sustainable food traditions. As global food and water crises intensify, Osaka offers a compelling site to examine how local knowledge, urban infrastructure, and culinary heritage can inform more resilient and equitable food futures.
Along with our papers that speak to our annual themes, we invite proposals that explore food sustainability, water security, health and nutrition, and the politics of food systems, especially about urban ecologies and historic foodways. Join us in Osaka to reflect on the past and reimagine the future of food in a world increasingly defined by its relationship to water. Learn more about registration.
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Aging & Social Change: Sixteenth Interdisciplinary Conference
Akdeniz University in Antalya, Turkey, 15-16 October 2026
Care environments for aging populations must move toward more individualized, person-centered models. Yet across diverse national contexts, many systems remain fragmented or under-resourced, with gaps at the intersections of medical, social, and familial care arrangements. At the same time, promising new approaches are emerging around the world—ranging from dementia care innovations and age-friendly community programs to lifelong learning institutions for older adults.
This international dialogue will be hosted in Turkey, a country that both reflects these global challenges and serves as a site of experimentation in gerontological practice and policy. The conference offers an opportunity to exchange cross-national insights, share institutional innovations, and collaboratively reimagine the social contract across generations. Learn more about registration.
2026 Special Focus—Demographic Futures: Political and Social Transformations
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Virtual Events
Emotion-First Theory & Practice
Dr. Cherise Fanno Burdeen and Public Defender Alison Bloomquist are excited to share that this webinar marks the launch of their new book, Emotion-First Theory & Practice. The book grew out of a simple but uncomfortable question: Why do equity, wellness, and client-centered reforms so often fail to hold—even when people are committed and well-intentioned? In this conversation, they will introduce the core ideas behind the book and explore what it means to treat emotional intelligence as infrastructure, not an add-on, in public defense and other justice-oriented systems. They are joined by Ieshaah Murphy, Assistant Professor of Law at Howard University, whose work studying and leading antiracist training in public defense offers a critical, practice-based perspective on what works, what doesn’t, and what remains unresolved.
Register for free here!
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Virtual Writing Retreats
The
Diversity Scholars Network is hosting monthly writing retreats via Zoom. These events are co-sponsored by the
Anti-Racism Collaborative and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Writing retreats are scheduled throughout each month on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We are offering writing sessions designed for faculty, staff, and graduate students. We hope you drop in for silent writing with optional breakout rooms for discussion and feedback.
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Other Opportunites
Call for Work and Family Researchers Network Predoctoral Preconference Applications
On June 17, 2026, the Work and Family Researchers Network will hold a Pre-Doctoral Preconference at Concordia University in Montreal Canada during its 8th Biennial Conference. The Predoctoral Preconference will provide workshops intended to help graduate students form meaningful connections with diverse scholars, learn about publication strategies, as well as how to engage with stakeholders such as organizational leaders or policy advocates. Questions can be directed to organizers Wen Fan (wen.fan@bc.edu) and Jaeseung Kim (jkim1203@o365.skku.edu). Space is limited. Applications close January 15, 2026. Those selected to attend the preconference will be notified in February 2026. Information about the 2026 WFRN conference and the preconference application can be found on the website.
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Book Drive in collaboration with the Trotter Multicultural Center
NCID is conducting a book drive in collaboration with the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center. We are asking members of the DSN to donate books (new and gently used) to assist in creating an independent in-house library at Trotter, which will center books addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility topics and/or banned books. We would welcome, and are especially interested in, books that you have authored or edited.
We see this book drive as an opportunity to extend your reach as scholars and to place your books directly in the hands of students interested in the topics you research. In addition, we would like to use this book drive to offer the students who frequent the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center with words of inspiration, affirmation, and guidance.
To that end, we invite those who donate to write a note of inspiration to the students inside the cover of your donated text… to say the words that you would have loved to hear as a student, to present students with messages of hope, to explain what you got out of reading the book to persuade someone to read it as well, or to offer what you (as the author of the text) hope a reader would gain from reading it.
Anyone interested in donating can bring their books to the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center front desk or send their books to Trotter, which is located at 428 S. State Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on the weekends through the summer. You can find continued communication about this event here.
