As preparations continue for the ISA World Congress in Gwangju in 2027, the International Sociological Association is pleased to share three important updates with its members: (1) the opening of the call for Integrative Sessions, (2) the invitation to nominate candidates for the 2027 ISA Award for Excellence in Research and Practice, and (3) the forthcoming launch of the ISA’s new website.
The call for Integrative Sessions is now open and available on the ISA website. Integrative Sessions are semi-plenary sessions jointly organised by at least three Research Committees, Working Groups, Thematic Groups or National Associations. The call follows the same criteria and process used for the Integrative Sessions at the 2025 Forum. Proposals must be submitted by 28 September 2026. The results of the selection process by the Scientific Committee will be announced on 15 October 2026, enabling RC/WG/TG Programme Coordinators to take these sessions into account when finalising the abstract selection process. The full call and submission form are available here:
https://www.isa-sociology.org/en/conferences/world-congress/gwangju-2027/call-for-integrative-sessions-27
RCs, WGs and TGs are also invited to nominate candidates for the 2027 ISA Award for Excellence in Research and Practice, which will be presented during the opening ceremony of the World Congress. Preparing a strong nomination requires time and coordination across RCs, WGs, TGs and/or National Associations, so members are encouraged to begin the process early. The deadline for nominations is 30 November 2026. The nomination form, along with further information about the award and procedure, is available on the ISA website:
https://www.isa-sociology.org/en/about-isa/isa-award-for-excellence-in-research-and-practice
Alongside preparations for the World Congress, ISA is continuing to strengthen its communication and engagement tools. Work is being finalised on the new ISA website, which has been designed with a stronger focus on user experience and shaped by feedback gathered through interviews and surveys with members. One of the key developments is that RCs, WGs and TGs will be able to manage and update their own sections of the website. This will create a more dynamic and responsive space for sharing news, activities and initiatives across the ISA community. The Secretariat will be in touch shortly with further information, as the active involvement of RCs, WGs and TGs will be essential to making the platform meaningful and useful for all. The new website is expected to launch in July or early August. As part of this transition, the Members’ Directory will become public on 15 May and will have greater visibility within the new platform. This development is intended to strengthen the visibility of ISA’s global community and facilitate connections, collaboration and exchange among sociologists worldwide.
For any questions, members are encouraged to contact the ISA Secretariat (isa-secretariat@isa-sociology.org ).