We are delighted to announce that the Call for Papers is now OPEN for the WISERD Annual Conference 2026 at Cardiff University – Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July.
In Pursuit of Sustainable Futures
It has been over a decade since the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 came into force. Widely regarded as world-leading, this legislation places a legal duty on public bodies to improve the long-term well-being of both current and future generations. Its ambition is to create a Wales that is more prosperous, resilient, equal and healthier; a nation with cohesive communities, a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and one that acts as a globally responsible member of the world.
Societal fractures, intensified by recent global crises, underscore the importance of these wellbeing objectives. Yet rising demand and persistent budgetary constraints place increasing pressure on the organisations tasked with delivering these objectives. Against this backdrop and at the start of a new era for the Welsh Parliament, this year’s WISERD Annual Conference seeks to explore key contemporary challenges and identify the policies and practices needed to support economic, social, environmental and cultural development goals, both in Wales and beyond.
We invite contributions that critically engage with these issues and offer insights into how Wales – and the wider world – can advance well-being for future generations. With a strong focus on future trajectories, this call is intentionally broad to reflect the complexity and interconnectedness of well-being in contemporary society. Reflecting the seven wellbeing goals of the Act and its emphasis on improved ways of working, contributions that reflect on the following topics are particularly welcomed:
- Prosperity: participation and progression in education and training; economic activity, labour market participation; fair work.
- Resilience: just transitions; environmental goods; climate change policy and climate justice; spatial justice.
- Equality: citizenship; rights; civic stratification; poverty; liveability.
- Health and Well-being: health; social care; housing and homelessness.
- Community Cohesion: marginalised communities; geographies of inequality; crime, criminal justice and social inclusion; accessibility; transport.
- Language, Culture and Identity: migration; mobility; nationalism; identity; culture; heritage; participation in arts, sports and recreation.
- Global Responsibility: supply chains; procurement; social value; social justice.
- Ways of Working: participatory and action research; deliberative democracy; collaborative governance; dialogue and voice; citizen science; co-production; social partnership; evidence and impact.
This year we invite proposals for individual paper presentations, workshops/interactive sessions, symposiums or posters. Contributions relevant to the theme of sustainable futures but not covered by the above are also welcome.
We are especially keen for submissions from postgraduate, PhD and early career researchers, with dedicated New Researchers sessions being held in collaboration with the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) and the Learned Society of Wales (LSW).
The deadline for abstract submission is 9am, Monday 30 March.
Image credit: evgenyatamanenko via iStock.