2026 ICSA Annual Conference (Aug. 7, 2026)
7 August 2026
New York City, USA ● August 7, 2026
Deadline for Submissions: February 28, 2026
Call for Papers
2026 ICSA Annual Conference
Theme: Bridging Traditions and Innovations: Sociological Perspectives on Transformation in Chinese Societies
Location: CUNY Graduate Center (https://www.gc.cuny.edu/), New York City, USA
Co-hosted by: The GC-CUNY Stone Center
Date: August 7, 2026 (First day of the ASA Annual Meeting)
The International Chinese Sociological Association (ICSA) is pleased to announce its 2026 Annual Conference in New York City. In an era of profound global transformation, societies are navigating unprecedented social, economic, political, and cultural shifts. This conference will convene leading scholars to examine the dynamic challenges and opportunities confronting Chinese communities worldwide, fostering a critical and vibrant dialogue on their evolving futures.
Conference Themes
We welcome submissions related to (but not limited to) the following topics:
AI Impacts on Society
Growing Economic Inequalities and the Emergence of a New Billionaire Class
Migration, Diaspora, and Transnationalism
Patterns and Implications of Fertility Rates
Family, Gender, and Generational Shifts
Technology and Its Influence on the Social Landscape
Social Contexts of Health and Mortality
Digital Society, Media, and Cultural Production
Child and Youth Development
Comparative and Methodological Innovations in Sociology
Submission Guidelines
1. Submission Categories
We welcome two types of submissions:
· Individual Paper Abstracts: A no more than 250-word abstract.
· Panel Proposals: A 500-word panel overview, plus individual no more than 250-word abstracts for 3-5 papers, including information for a designated chair and/or discussant. Given the limited space, panel proposals are accepted on a highly selective basis, with decisions driven by thematic coherence and overall proposal quality.
2. Awards & Competitions
A. Nan Lin Graduate Student Paper Award
Graduate students are encouraged to submit complete papers for the Nan Lin Graduate Student Paper Award. This award recognizes outstanding scholarly work and supports the next generation of sociologists.
· Award Details:
o Best Paper: One winning paper (published or unpublished) will be selected. The author will be recognized at the conference, presented with a commemorative plaque, and receive a $500 cash prize.
o Best Paper Runner-up Travel Awards: Several $500 travel awards will also be granted to students based on their submissions to this competition.
· Eligibility & Submission Criteria:
o Papers must be authored solely by student(s).
o Papers must be written in English.
o The work must be presented at the 2026 ICSA Annual Conference.
o Authors must hold a valid ICSA student membership through the end of 2026.
o Authors must hold a valid graduate studentship until August 7, 2026.
o Only complete papers will be considered. Abstracts alone are not eligible.
B. Yu Xie Early Career Award
Nominations are now open for the Yu Xie Early Career Award. This honor recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of sociology within ten years of completing their doctoral degree.
· Award Details:
The recipient will be honored during the Annual Conference, awarded USD $500, and presented with a certificate.
· Eligibility & Submission Criteria:
o Nominees must be within 10 years of their terminal degree as of 31 December 2026.
o Nominees must be active ICSA members of the year, and attendance at the ICSA Annual Meeting is required.
o The nomination packet should include two items: Nominee's curriculum vitae/bio, and the nomination letter should include a brief (not to exceed 600 words) description of the candidate's achievements and eligibility. The letter should identify the major contributions on which the nomination is based and explain why the nominee is especially qualified to receive this award.
o Please submit your nomination packet to Linghan Ge at linghan@connect.hku.hk.
· Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2026
C. Xiaogang Wu Best Paper Award
Nominations are now open for the Xiaogang Wu Best Paper Award. The award is given to the best original research paper authored by one or more ICSA members and nominated for the competition.
· Award Details:
The selected paper will receive a $500 prize shared across the authors and a certificate. The authors will be honored at the upcoming ICSA Annual Meeting.
· Eligibility & Submission Criteria:
o Eligible papers must be published within the two calendar years prior to the nomination year. For this cycle, eligible publications are those published between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
o At least one author must be an active ICSA member of the year, and attendance at the ICSA Annual Meeting is required.
o The nomination packet should include two items: The nominated paper and the nomination letter explaining why the paper merits the award (not to exceed 600 words).
o Please submit your nomination packet to Keyi Chen at ky.chen@link.cuhk.edu.hk.
· Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2026
3. Conference Paper or Proposal Submission Instructions
· Online Portal: All papers and proposals must be submitted through either Google Form or Tencent Form (please use one form only).
· Technical Assistance: In the event of technical difficulties, submissions may be sent via email to icsa.sociology.org@gmail.com.
4. Membership Requirement
Please note that all conference participants must be active members of the ICSA. To ensure the payment starts in a new calendar year, membership registration and conference fee payment are available in January 2026.
· Membership Fees (effective on January 1, 2026):
o Student Membership: $20
o Regular Membership: $60
o Lifetime Membership: $800
· Membership Fee Payment Instruction:
o Register and log in to the ICSA website https://www.icsa-sociology.org/.
o Pay via:
Direct link: https://www.icsa-sociology.org/pricing-plans/list
Or navigate to My Account > My Subscriptions.
o Payment is processed through PayPal.
o Once successful, you’ll receive an invoice, a receipt, and an automatic membership activation via email.
In the event of technical difficulties, please contact icsa.sociology.org@gmail.com.
5. Conference Registration
· Registration Fees:
o Student members: $60
o Regular or lifetime members: $120
· Conference Registration Fee Payment Instruction:
o Log in to your ICSA account.
o Visit the event page: https://www.icsa-sociology.org/event-details/2026-icsa-annual-conference
o Select your tier and complete payment via PayPal.
o You will receive a confirmation email and invoice upon completion.
In the event of technical difficulties, please contact icsa.sociology.org@gmail.com.
Important Dates
November 21, 2025: Submission open
January 5, 2026: Online payment for membership and conference registration open
February 28, 2026: Deadline for abstract submissions
March 28, 2026: Notification of acceptance via email
April 28, 2026: Deadline for authors to confirm attendance
May 28, 2026: Provisional program available on the conference website
July 15, 2026: Full papers due to organizers and session chairs
August 7, 2026: Conference day
We gratefully acknowledge the GC-CUNY Stone Center for co-hosting and supporting the 2026 ICSA Annual Conference.
Why Attend?
Network with leading and rising scholars in Chinese sociology and related disciplines
Engage in interdisciplinary dialogues
Contribute to critical discussions on the evolving landscape of Chinese societies worldwide
Join us in New York City to explore the dynamic forces shaping Chinese societies in a global context!
ICSA 2026 Organizing Committee