2026 ICSA Annual Conference (Aug. 7, 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

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o   Best Paper: One winning paper (published or unpublished) will be selected.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, presented with a certificate, and awarded USD $500.

·        Nomination Deadline: June 30, 2026

C. Xiaogang Wu Best Paper Award

A call for nominations for the Xiaogang Wu Best Paper Award will be announced in early 2026. Please see the official award page for full details and nomination guidelines then.

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 will be available in January 2026. You may become a member through our new homepage: https://icsa-sociology.org.

·        Membership Fees (effective on January 1, 2026):

o   Student Membership: $20

o   Regular Membership: $60

o   Lifetime Membership: $800

5. Conference Registration Fees

·        Student members: $60

·        Regular or lifetime members: $120

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

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