About the Conference    Call for Session Proposals

                About the Conference: The 2nd RC20 Regional Conference on Comparative Sociology & The 1st RC56 Regional Conference on Historical Sociology & The 5th RC33 Regional Conference on Social Science Methodology: Asia (Khon Kaen, Thailand/Tokyo, Japan | 24-28 August 2026 | Khon Kaen University/Japan Women’s University)

Objective:

                It is absolutely fortunate that three pivotal Research Committees (RC20, RC33, and RC56) of the International Sociological Association are jointly holding this conference. Undoubtedly, collaborations between two of these perspectives (comparative, historical, and methodological) have already produced a number of significant research areas, but this conference facilitates the collaboration of all three which has rarely occurred.

                This world, which has been deeply destroyed by wars, discriminations, disasters, pandemics, and changes, requires broad and profound insights. However, the terms “system, ” “power,” or “field, ” that have long served as bases for this purpose in comparative, historical, methodological studies, have gradually worn out.

                This torn world requires new research projects founded on new bases. For example, rather than focusing on singular targets indicated by the terms “system,” “power,” or “field,” focusing on multiple and/or related targets and the boundaries and the networks between them have gained significance. Knowledge bound and restricted by such singularities has been overwhelmed by knowledge that distinguishes between various singularities and escapes these binds and restrictions. Boundaries and networks are no longer weak fringes or passive connectors of these “systems,” “powers,” or “fields, ” but are dynamic processes or actors which can transform by themselves.

                Knowledgeable people have to struggle to avoid outdated delusions. Only through these strenuous efforts, can they lead the world to survive and proceed to the next era.

Perspective:

                 This conference welcomes all the types of research ( empirical or theoretical, using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods ) in this direction.

Format:

                 It will be an online conference for various reasons: (1) resilience pandemics and other disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, (2) compatibility with other conferences because of its effective use of resources, (3) Earth-friendliness, (4) its innovative use of video-conference applications.

Timeline and process are as follows:

Call for session proposals: 16 March 2025

Close of session proposals submission: 1 August 2025

Acceptance of session proposals: 12 September 2025

Call for papers open (abstract submission): 28 September 2025

Close of paper submission: 31 December 2025

Submissions accepted and program prepared: 12 March 2026

Registration opened: 9 April 2026

Conference: 24-28 August 2026