Digging Wells While Houses Burn: Academic Responsibility and the Study of Religion
Cambridge University, UK and online, 23-24 April 2026
In a provocative article titled Digging Wells While Houses Burn (2006), David Gordon White argues that certain studies of religion actively stoke supremacist ideologies and politics. The only way to avoid this unsavoury collaboration is to rethink the way we do our work — the stories we choose to tell, and the methods we use to tell them. According to White, academics of religion who fail to engage with this responsibility are “digging wells while houses burn”, ignoring devastating realities that urgently demand their attention. In this context, we invite scholars of all religions, across all disciplines, to reflect on the relationship between their academic work, on the one hand, and violence and supremacy, on the other. Read more.
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Moving Objects: Modes of Conveyance & the Making of Global Asias
New York University, New York City, New York, 24 April 2026
The Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU and Pennsylvania State University’s Global Asias Initiative are pleased to present “Moving Objects: Modes of Conveyance & the Making of Global Asias,” a one-day symposium at NYU and a Convergence feature for a special issue of the journal Verge: Studies in Global Asias. “Moving Objects” examines the varied modes of conveyance and the material infrastructures that facilitate the movements of people, cultural objects, and materials, by which Global Asias come into existence.
What are the objects, vehicles, and vessels of migration, circulation, and exchange that connect Asians to one another and to others? What are the platforms and material environments through which Global Asias are built? How do cultural and political representations of such moving objects serve to make diasporic passages possible? How are such passages re-routed with the arrival of new modes and technologies of travel and transit? How do moving objects shape the national, ethnic, racial, and religious subjectivities of those who inhabit Global Asias? What cultural and political meanings attach to the objects of movement and the paths they take?
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2026 Conference on Discrimination in the 21st Century: Fostering Conversations Across Fields
Chicago, IL, 28-29 April 2026
The 2026 Conference on Discrimination in the 21st Century: Fostering Conversations Across Fields welcomes submissions. This year’s conference will be held April 28–29, in Chicago, Illinois.This conference will bring together researchers from different fields to discuss crucial themes around discrimination. Experts from economics, sociology, law, behavioral sciences, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and more will interact with each other through presentations and open panel discussions. The organizing committee welcomes submissions on the broadest range of themes. All interested researchers are invited to send submissions for consideration by January 16, 2026, using the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact bfi-events@uchicago.edu.
Learn more.
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Gaming Asia: Asian Nationalism Through the Lens of Video Games
National University of Singapore @ KRC, 28-30 April 2026
Marking the tenth anniversary of the agenda-setting call for Regional Game Studies, this workshop invites papers that critically examine the evolving nexus of video games, nationalism, and geopolitics across and beyond Asia, past and present. It aims to investigate Asian nationalism through the lens of video games, offering a nuanced perspective on the proliferation of new gaming materialities, modalities, and mobilities, and their intricate entanglements with national politics in Asia. The workshop asks how gaming technologies and data infrastructures shape whose nations gain visibility, and how national trends across Asia, in turn, influence the supposedly apolitical landscapes of digital technology. On the one hand we focus on how games reflect and actively shape (geo)political, historical, and cultural dynamics. On the other hand, by approaching games as assemblages of economy, technology, history, infrastructure, and emotion that generate geocultural power for diverse Asian actors, we welcome papers that rethink the trans-Asian linkages and disjunctures produced through gaming practices, along with the competing concepts of “Asia” and “nation” they bring into being.
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Global Futures of Higher Education: Autonomy in the Crosshairs
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 7-9 May 2026
The Schnitzer School’s Center for Global futures invites proposals for its second annual international conference, Global Futures of Higher Education: Autonomy in the Crosshairs, to be held May 7–9, 2026, at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. This conference examines the future of higher education in an increasingly authoritarian global environment marked by democratic backsliding, political polarization, and intensifying state efforts to control knowledge production. Across regions, universities face intersecting pressures: geopolitical instability, new technologies, shifting patterns of mobility, growing demands for measurable “impact,” and deepening contests over truth, history, and public trust.
A central concern of this convening is systemic autonomy in higher education: the capacity of teaching and research to be guided by scholarly standards rather than direct political instruction. Universities are never separate from politics, law, the economy, or media. The question is which institutional arrangements allow these relationships to support, rather than undermine, free inquiry.
We invite proposals from faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars across disciplines. Submissions may take the form of individual paper proposals as well as creative or experimental presentation formats. Read more.
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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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Twenty-First International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
University of Galway, Galway, Ireland + Online, 15-17 July 2026
In an era defined by globalization, transnational interdependencies, and rapid change, the importance of cooperation across academic, civic, and community spheres has never been more urgent. Bridging Boundaries— Collaborative Solutions to Complex Social Issues in an Interconnected World invites perspectives on how social scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and community members can work together across borders to address today’s most pressing global challenges. As economic, political, and technological forces reshape societies, how can we develop solutions that transcend national and disciplinary silos to confront systemic inequality, climate change, political polarization, digital transformation, and the evolving nature of work on a global scale?
We seek papers investigating how interdisciplinary research, participatory engagement, and policy development can align to foster lasting and inclusive approaches to complex global issues and societal well-being. Contributions from scholars in sociology, psychology, political science, anthropology, economics, law, education, international relations, global studies, and related fields are encouraged, with an emphasis on fresh insights and tangible examples of transnational and globally networked approaches. We welcome both empirical studies and theoretical reflections that push the boundaries of conventional thinking. By bridging boundaries—between disciplines, nations, and sectors—this conference aims to set an agenda to advance our collective understanding of today’s urgent social problems and illuminate pathways to transformative solutions that promise lasting, positive impacts on communities worldwide. Learn more.
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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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SVRI Forum 2026
Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Centralworld, Bangkok, Thailand, 5-9 October 2026
The SVRI Forum 2026 will be held at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 5 – 9 October 2026
The SVRI Forum is the Sexual Violence Research Initiative’s flagship event and the world’s leading conference on research, evidence, and solutions to prevent and respond to violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC), and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
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The 28th Canadian Ethnic Studies Association (CESA) Biennial Conference
Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff, Alberta, 9-10 October 2026
The Canadian Ethnic Studies Association (CESA) invites panel and/or paper proposals for its upcoming 28th conference on the theme of “Ethnic Dynamics and Immigration in a World in Flux”. There is little doubt that the world we are living in is going through a major transformation, driven by powerful economic, political, cultural, and social forces, and reflected through many unprecedented developments at global, regional, national, and local levels. This includes new wars, economic rivalry, cyber-attacks, redrawn political maps, electoral surprises, the rise of populism, new resistance movements, new technology, and so on. Some have begun suggesting new names for this emerging world, from ‘new world order’, to ‘cyber world order’, to the ‘post-liberal era’, and so on. This transformation has had undeniable implications for international Immigration, as well as race and ethnic relations, in many different countries, including Canada; and it calls for new theorizing efforts to understand it and to ameliorate the serious problems that come with it. Learn more on the English and French sites.
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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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Queer Ecologies Across Socialisms
University of Regensburg, 15-16 October 2026
We invite academic and artistic contributions from Environmental Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Life Sciences, Literary Studies, Visual and Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, and related fields for Queer Ecologies Across Socialisms. We especially welcome interventions from Indigenous Studies and work grounded in environmental justice. Possible topics include (but are not limited to):
- queer ecological readings of literature, visual art, and performance created under state socialisms
- trans* ecologies and trans-corporealities: embodied transitions, technoscience, and queer materialisms
- reproduction, health, disability in their environmental entanglements
- anti-queer mobilizations and backlash politics
- housing, labor, leisure, and their more-than-human ecologies
- archives, institutions, popular science, education
- ecosocialist, proto-degrowth imaginaries: utopian/dystopian imaginaries and alternative models of planetary care, including transnational solidarities and activism
- comparative, transnational, and decolonial approaches to “state socialism” as a global formation
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Virtual Events
