Registrations open for the 2018 World Social Science Forum

Early-bird registration for the 2018 World Social Science Forum is now open. The World Social Science Forum will take place from 25-28 September 2018, in Fukuoka, Japan, on the theme of 'Security and Equality for Sustainable Futures'.

The growing complexity of the challenges facing societies worldwide has given rise to increasing concerns about security, across a range of different sectors. Life in the Anthropocene era is calling into question the sustainability of human activities, with critical implications for equity, and for food, water and energy security. From issues of freedom and democracy to cyber- and bio-warfare, the changing nature of conflict highlights the complexity and inter-relatedness of old and new threats to human security. It is against this backdrop that Agenda 2030 sets out to ‘secure our planet’, while ensuring that ‘no-one will be left behind’.

Over the course of four days, Forum participants will examine various dimensions of security, interrogating how the demand for security relates to societies’ quest for equality and sustainability. Alongside leading plenary speakers, presenters will look into approaches, trends, and responses from different sectors. The WSS Forum 2018 will identify critical research priorities on security, as well as data and knowledge gaps, globally and in specific regions. Taking place under the auspices of the International Science Council (ISC), to be formed following the merger of the ISSC and the International Council for Science (ICSU), the 2018 Forum will provide an international platform for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research to contribute to transformations to a more sustainable world.

A call for individual abstracts for participation in Specific Panels, Topical Sessions and Poster sessions is now open, and a grants programme is available to support the participation of early-career social scientists from low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Key dates: 
17 March 2018 – Deadline for paper submission and application for grant programmes
15～20 May 2018 – Paper decisions notified
5 June 2018 – Deadline for abstract author’s registration and payment
30 June 2018 – Early-bird registration closes
31 August 2018 – Online registration closes – all later registrations will be processed on-site

Full information can be found on the Forum website.