The Network for Early-career Scholars in Social Innovation (NEPSI), in collaboration with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, and funded by the Institute for Urban Research at Malmö University, invites doctoral candidates and early-career researchers (ECRs) to submit abstracts for a two-day colloquium focused on Designing Tomorrow. In an era of rapid global shifts, this event explores how collective social innovation can navigate a changing world to build resilient and just futures.
This event is planned to move beyond a traditional conference format to serve as a working colloquium centred on constructive feedback and professional progression within the field of social innovation.
A Focus on Progression and Mentorship
The core of this colloquium is to provide ECRs and PGRs with the tools and insights needed to advance their research and academic careers. Participants will benefit from:
- Constructive Feedback for Progression: Work in small peer-review groups supported by senior scholars leading in the field of social innovation. The emphasis is on dialogue that helps refine your work and navigate your academic trajectory.
- Professional Development Workshops: The two-day program includes dedicated sessions on research design, publishing strategies, and early-career academic pathways.
- Networking and Community: Engage in both formal and informal networking opportunities with international peers and established academics within the various disciplines working on social innovation.
While there is NO registration fee, please note that attendees are expected to cover and coordinate their own travel and hotel arrangements. For those unable to travel to Malmö, online participation is available.
Themes and scope
We welcome submissions engaging with, or critically reflecting on, themes such as:
- Social innovation and societal transformation
- Urban change, sustainability, and justice
- Collaborative governance and cross-sector partnerships
- Decolonial, postcolonial, feminist, and critical perspectives on social innovation
- Knowledge production, power, and inclusion in research and practice
- Participatory, transdisciplinary, and practice-based research approaches
Submissions from diverse geographical, institutional, and disciplinary contexts are strongly encouraged.
Selection Process and Participant Expectations
Participation in the NEPSI Colloquium is selective and based on academic relevance to the theme, disciplinary diversity, and a commitment to reciprocal peer review.
Submitted abstracts allow the organisers to curate a cohort representing a wide range of geographical, institutional, and disciplinary contexts while ensuring all projects align with the overarching theme of Designing Tomorrow. While master’s level students are also invited to send their submissions, priority will be given to doctoral candidates and ECRs in the event of limitations.
Please note the following regarding the program structure:
- Invitation to Attend: Due to the intensive, “small-group” nature of this working colloquium, submission of an abstract does not guarantee an invitation to participate.
- Invitation to Present: While the primary focus is on constructive dialogue and peer feedback, there are limited opportunities for formal presentations. Consequently, only a subset of invited participants will be selected to present their work to the broader program.
Important Dates
- 15 March 2026. Soft deadline to register your interest to participate. Kindly complete the Register interest to participate form on this webpage if you intend to submit an abstract later. We only need this to gauge the expected number of participants. Failure to complete this form will have no consequences.
- 30 April 2026: Hard deadline to submit initial abstract (300–500 words). This abstract will guide the committee in selecting participants whose work aligns with the colloquium’s theme and disciplinary scope.
- 31 July 2026: Deadline for invited participants to submit an extended abstract or full article for the constructive peer-feedback sessions.
- 28–29 September 2026: Colloquium dates.
Submission Guidelines
To apply, please complete the Register interest to participate form on this page and submit your 300–500 word abstract by completing the Abstract Submission Form. Ensure your submission clearly outlines your research and its connection to social innovation and the themes of the colloquium.
For Further Information:
If you have questions about the event, the theme "Designing Tomorrow," or the submission process, please direct your emails to Sadiq Abubakar Gulma at sadiq.gulma@mau.se, Malmö University, and cc to Gloria-Karin López at gloria-karin.lopez@mau.se
We are also actively seeking senior scholars and practitioners leading in the field of social innovation to help facilitate our working groups and networking sessions. If you would like to support the progression of our participants in this role, please reach out to Joanna Masangkay at j.masangkay@mdx.ac.uk and cc Sadiq Abubakar Gulma at sadiq.gulma@mau.se
Also, for further details, consult the Nepsi website.
