NSA CONFERENCE 2027, Rovaniemi, Finland

We are happy to announce the 32nd Nordic Sociological Association Conference (NSA2027) that will be held 11-13 August 2027, at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi (street address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi), Finland.

The conference is hosted by the University of Lapland’s Sociology department and The Westermarck Society in Finland, in coordination with the Nordic Sociological Association. We warmly invite you to Rovaniemi, a town where two of Finland’s largest rivers merge, creating a unique and inspiring setting for the conference and symbolizing the confluence of past, present, and future.

The theme of next year’s conference is Whose Futures, addressing the social contradictions and solidarities of our time. We also welcome session proposals and presentations covering the full range of sociological research and scholarship.

    Theme

    WHOSE FUTURES? 

    Social contradictions and solidarities unfold 

    Contemporary societal crises and transnational efforts to build a secure and sustainable future are reshaping the boundaries of social contradictions and solidarities. Intensifying geopolitical tensions, for instance, have fostered new forms of political unity in parts of Europe while simultaneously deepening social and political divisions. In the Nordic region, the militarisation of the Arctic has generated tensions between national security objectives and local livelihoods. Likewise, the green transition embodies a globally shared commitment to sustainability and climate justice, expressing solidarity with historically marginalised communities in the Global South and with the planet itself. Yet it has also attracted criticism for reproducing unequal power relations through what has been termed “green colonialism.” The Covid-19 pandemic, meanwhile, renewed attention to the importance of welfare states and collective provision. At the same time, the values traditionally associated with the Nordic welfare model, including gender equality, collective responsibility, and social justice, continue to be contested by far-right and conservative political movements. 

    These developments raise a number of pressing questions: Whose needs, interests, and perspectives are reflected in future-oriented policies and whose remain marginalised or excluded? Are established forms of social contradictions and solidarity being reconfigured, or are entirely new ones emerging? Are conventional constellations of domination and resistance being transformed, or replaced by novel configurations of power and contestation? How can we best conceptualise these shifting dynamics of social contradictions and solidarity?  

    We aim to host an inspiring conference that brings scholars together to discuss social developments from Nordic and other perspectives. At the same time, we hope to foster and expand Nordic sociological networks by providing a dynamic meeting place for established working groups and the creation of new collaborations across the field of sociology.  

    Keynote speakers

    Rauna Kuokkanen, Research Professor, University of Lapland 

    Mia Liinason, Professor, Lund University (Sweden) 

    Call for Working Group Proposals

    Proposals for working groups should include  

    • Title of session 
    • Session organizer(s): name, affiliation, e-mail address 
    • Abstract (not exceeding 500 words) 

    The deadline for proposals for sessions is 15th of January 2027. The organising committee will review the proposals and the decisions will be announced thereafter.

    Please submit your proposals for the working group by email to nsa2027@ulapland.fi.

    Other dates and deadlines:  

    • 1st of February: Decisions on sessions 
    • 19 March 2027: Deadline for abstract submission  
    • 16 April 2027: The review process is finished 

    For additional information about the conference, please contact:

    @ nsa2027@ulapland.fi