Call for Papers - In_equality Conference 2026

Inequality remains one of the defining challenges of our time. Large-scale societal transformation such as the rise of AI, population aging, the green transition towards carbon-neutral economies and major international crises and wars have major implications for inequality and how societies and politics deal with these challenges. At this conference, we are particularly interested in exploring the political dimension of inequality, i.e. its political causes and consequences across different dimensions and empirical domains. For instance, we are interested in contributions that explore the dynamics and determinants of perceptions of inequality broadly defined as well as work that studies how inequality affects individual preferences and patterns of political participation. Further, we welcome papers that analyze the relationships between inequality across different dimensions and political mobilization efforts of collective actors, including political parties, interest groups and social movements. Lastly, we want to understand how and to what extent public demands influence and affect the responsiveness of policymakers and what effect policies have on structural inequalities.

Contributions to this interdisciplinary conference address these, and related questions, in empirical domains such as education, labor markets, health care, minority and language rights, and climate change. We invite contributions from scholars with a background in political science, sociology, economics, linguistics, computational social science, education research, and social psychology. We welcome different theoretical and methodological perspectives and particularly encourage early-career researchers to apply.

Paper Submissions

• Open 8 August – 5 October 2025
• Apply via Online application on the­ conference website
• Required: extended abstract (max. 400 words)
• Cost covered: travel and accommodation for one presenter per paper

Format

• In-person event for presenters with digital/hybrid option for further attendees
• Talks in multiple moderated panels & “Satellite” panels on cross-cutting topics
• Climate-friendly conference
• Keynotes from leading inequality scholars (past keynote speakers include Catherine De Vries (Bocconi University), Thomas Piketty (PSE) and Stefanie Stantcheva (Harvard University).