Conferences
A curated list of academic conferences relevant to sustainability science research. Organized alphabetically.
Quick Reference
| Conference | Dates | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4S | Oct 7–10, 2026 | Toronto | Apr 30, 2026 |
| Adaptation Futures | 2027 TBD | TBD | — |
| ESG | Sep 7–11, 2026 | Bath, UK | Jan 15, 2026 |
| FLARE | Oct 21–26, 2026 | Bilbao, Spain | Early 2026 |
| Global EJ | Apr 13–14, 2026 | Fort Collins, CO | Closed |
| HBCU Climate Change | Mar 18–22, 2026 | New Orleans | Closed |
| ICSD | Sep 9–10, 2026 | Rome | Mar 10, 2026 |
| ISCN | Apr 21–23, 2026 | Cape Town | Mar 20, 2026 |
| IST | Aug 31–Sep 2, 2026 | Zurich | Feb 2026 TBA |
| NERPS | Mar 4–7, 2026 | Tokyo | Closed |
| NSS | Aug 17–20, 2026 | Denver | Jan 13, 2026 |
| PHAM | Spring 2027 | Tokyo | — |
| SRI | Jun 22–26, 2026 | Cape Town | Jan 15, 2026 |
| WSDS | Feb 25–27, 2026 | New Delhi | Open |
| WSF | Aug 21–24, 2026 | Hong Kong | May 1, 2026 |
4S
Society for Social Studies of Science (50th Anniversary)
| October 7–10, 2026 | Toronto, Canada (hybrid) |
The 50th Anniversary meeting calls for presentations, panels, and adjacent gatherings that engage the theme of “TechnoPower.” Science, technology, and innovation are not neutral; as STS scholars, we understand them as socially, culturally, and economically constructed and deeply entangled with a specific form of technoscientific power. A key challenge now is to accelerate our interventions into public, policy, and political debate by using our empirical, analytical, and normative tools to shift technoscientific futures towards a technoscience that fosters collective wellbeing, justice, and sustainability.
- Deadline: April 30, 2026 (abstracts)
- Host: Society for Social Studies of Science
- Link: 4sonline.org/meeting.php
Adaptation Futures
World Adaptation Science Programme Conference
| 2027 | Location TBD |
The premier international conference devoted entirely to climate change adaptation. Biennial series; no 2026 edition.
- Deadline: TBD
- Host: World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP)
- Link: wasp-adaptation.org
ESG
Earth System Governance Conference
| September 7–11, 2026 | Bath, UK |
Theme: “Building just and sustainable futures for planetary integrity.” The main conference is organized around six streams, including the five analytical lenses of the ESG project: Architecture and Agency; Democracy and Power; Justice and Allocation; Anticipation and Imagination; Adaptiveness and Reflexivity; and a sixth stream on the future of earth system governance. The 2026 Bath Conference will also mark the beginning to develop a new ten-year plan for the Earth System Governance Project.
- Deadline: January 15, 2026
- Host: University of Bath, Earth System Governance Project
- Link: earthsystemgovernance.org/2026-bath/call-for-papers
FLARE
Forests & Livelihoods: Assessment, Research, and Engagement (12th Annual Meeting)
| October 21–26, 2026 | Bilbao, Spain |
The FLARE Network leverages existing expertise and catalyzes new efforts to develop and share leading-edge research and conversations on livelihoods related to forests and tree-based systems. FLARE seeks to support policy development, on-the-ground action, and learning that furthers environment, development, and equity goals in countries across the globe.
- Deadline: Early 2026 (call forthcoming)
- Host: University of Deusto, FLARE Network Secretariat (University of Notre Dame)
- Link: forestlivelihoods.org
Global EJ
Global Environmental Justice Conference
| April 13–14, 2026 | Fort Collins, CO (hybrid) |
Theme: “Where Do We Grow From Here? Environmental Justice and the Politics of Hope in the Planetary Age.” This hybrid gathering relaunches a series of conferences on environmental justice envisioned in 2017 but interrupted by the pandemic. The aim is to deepen connections amongst EJ scholars, advocates, and practitioners across South and North, East and West, across different political and theoretical traditions and substantive interests.
- Deadline: Closed
- Host: Center for Environmental Justice, Colorado State University
- Link: environmentaljustice.colostate.edu/global-environmental-justice-conference-2026
HBCU Climate Change
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Climate Change Conference (11th Annual)
| March 18–22, 2026 | New Orleans, LA |
This conference unites faculty, students, researchers, climate professionals, and environmental justice community members from HBCUs and beyond to bridge academic research with real-world experiences. Topics include climate justice, adaptation, resilience, global climate policy, sustainable transportation, clean energy, green jobs, and community-driven economic development.
- Deadline: Closed
- Host: Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Bullard Center at Texas Southern University
- Link: dscej.org/ccc-2026
ICSD
International Conference on Sustainable Development (14th)
| September 9–10, 2026 | Rome, Italy |
Theme: “Creating a Unified Foundation for Sustainable Development: Research, Practice and Education.” ICSD takes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating diverse fields and perspectives to address the core and interconnected questions of sustainable development. Topics include sustainable urbanism, governance, social equity, community engagement, indigenous knowledge systems, health and well-being.
- Deadline: March 10, 2026
- Host: European Center of Sustainable Development, Canadian Institute of Technology
- Link: ecsdev.org
ISCN
International Sustainable Campus Network Conference (18th)
| April 21–23, 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa |
The ISCN Conference brings together sustainability leaders from around the world to share insights, foster collaboration, and explore innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. The conference offers a platform for universities to showcase their sustainability strategies, exchange best practices, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
- Deadline: March 20, 2026 (registration)
- Host: University of Cape Town, International Sustainable Campus Network
- Link: international-sustainable-campus-network.org/conferences/cape-town-2026
IST
International Sustainability Transitions Conference (17th)
| August 31 – September 2, 2026 | Zurich, Switzerland |
Theme: “Hope—in challenging times.” The conference invites transition scholars from around the world to engage with ideas that foster hope—hope that through our individual and collective work, environmental sustainability and social justice can be cultivated even in times marked by armed conflicts, political polarisation, and mounting planetary crises. The IST conference is the flagship event for the international transitions research community.
- Deadline: February 2026 (TBA)
- Host: ETH Zurich, Eawag Cirus Group, Sustainability Transitions Research Network (STRN)
- Link: transitionsnetwork.org/ist-2026
NERPS
Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (5th Conference)
| March 4–7, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan |
NERPS at Hiroshima University and United Nations University will jointly host this conference at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The conference highlights the role of technologies in strengthening multilateralism on peace and sustainability, offering a platform for students, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas and forge partnerships for transdisciplinary research and collaborative action.
- Deadline: Closed
- Host: Hiroshima University, United Nations University
- Link: nerps.org/nerps-2026-japan
NSS
National Sustainability Society Annual Conference (3rd)
| August 17–20, 2026 | Denver, CO |
The conference welcomes those in academia, industry, nonprofits, and governments to share contributions that focus on transformative change for a just and sustainable future. Emerging scholars and early career professionals are especially welcome.
- Deadline: January 13, 2026 (call opens)
- Host: Colorado State University School of Global Environmental Sustainability, CSU Climate Hub
- Link: thenss.org
PHAM
Planetary Health Annual Meeting
| Spring 2027 | Tokyo, Japan |
Held every 18 months, PHAM connects the global Planetary Health community, cultivates cross-disciplinary collaboration, seeks solutions for grand challenges facing humanity, and provides tools and drivers to support systemic change. Convenes scientists, youth, policymakers, educators, private sector representatives, and artists. No 2026 edition.
- Deadline: TBD
- Host: Planetary Health Alliance, East Asia Hub
- Link: planetaryhealthalliance.org/planetary-health-annual-meeting
SRI
Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress (Africa Regional Conference)
| June 22–26, 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa (+ online plenaries) |
In 2026, the Africa Regional Conference serves as the primary SRI gathering. Since 2021, SRI has brought together global leaders across research, government, civil society, and business to co-create cutting-edge solutions for a more sustainable future. SRI has become a trusted, inclusive platform for exchanging knowledge, shaping bold ideas, and driving real-world impact.
- Deadline: January 15, 2026 (session proposals)
- Host: National Research Foundation, Future Earth, Future Earth Africa Hub, Belmont Forum
- Link: sricongress.org
WSDS
World Sustainable Development Summit (25th Silver Jubilee)
| February 25–27, 2026 | New Delhi, India |
| Theme: “परिवर्तन | Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development.” The challenges confronting the world today are deeply interconnected, requiring long-term vision, diverse perspectives, and value-driven approaches to drive the transformations essential for sustainable development and climate action. |
- Deadline: Registration open
- Host: TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)
- Link: wsds.teriin.org/2026
WSF
World Sustainability Forum (12th)
| August 21–24, 2026 | Hong Kong |
An interdisciplinary forum addressing smart urban planning, circular economy, climate resilience, and other key sustainability themes.
- Deadline: May 1, 2026 (abstracts)
- Host: MDPI
- Link: sciforum.net/event/WSF-12
Acronym Key
| Acronym | Full Name |
|---|---|
| 4S | Society for Social Studies of Science |
| EJ | Environmental Justice |
| ESG | Earth System Governance |
| FLARE | Forests & Livelihoods: Assessment, Research, and Engagement |
| HBCU | Historically Black Colleges and Universities |
| ICSD | International Conference on Sustainable Development |
| ISCN | International Sustainable Campus Network |
| IST | International Sustainability Transitions |
| NERPS | Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability |
| NSS | National Sustainability Society |
| PHAM | Planetary Health Annual Meeting |
| SRI | Sustainability Research & Innovation (Congress) |
| STRN | Sustainability Transitions Research Network |
| STS | Science and Technology Studies |
| TERI | The Energy and Resources Institute |
| UNU | United Nations University |
| WASP | World Adaptation Science Programme |
| WSDS | World Sustainable Development Summit |
| WSF | World Sustainability Forum |
Last updated: January 2026