NEPSI

Network of Early Career Scholars and Practitioners in Social Innovation

An inclusive network of doctoral candidates, early-career researchers, and practice-based professionals advancing social innovation across sectors.

Call for Abstract Submission | NEPSI Colloquium 2026

The Network of Early Career Scholars and Practitioners in Social Innovation (NEPSI), in collaboration with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden, and funded by the Institute for Urban Research (IUR) 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 moves 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 doctoral students and ECRs with the tools and insights needed to advance their research and academic careers.

Constructive Feedback for Progression: Work in small peer-review groups supported by senior scholars leading in the field of social innovation.
Professional Development Workshops: Sessions on research design, publishing strategies, and early-career academic pathways.
Networking and Community: Opportunities to connect with international peers and established academics across disciplines working on social innovation.

There is no registration fee, but attendees are expected to coordinate and cover their own travel and accommodation. For those unable to travel to Malmö, online participation will be available.

Themes and Scope

We welcome submissions engaging with 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
Knowledge production, power, and inclusion
Participatory and transdisciplinary research approaches

Submissions from diverse geographical, institutional, and disciplinary contexts are strongly encouraged.

Selection Process

Participation is selective and based on academic relevance, disciplinary diversity, and commitment to reciprocal peer feedback.

Invitation to Attend: Submission does not guarantee participation due to the small-group format.
Invitation to Present: Only a subset of participants will present to the broader program.

Important Dates

15 March 2026: Soft deadline to register interest
30 April 2026: Deadline to submit abstract (300–500 words)
31 July 2026: Deadline for extended abstracts/full papers
28–29 September 2026: NEPSI Colloquium

Submission Guidelines

Submit your abstract here:
https://forms.office.com/e/gT5wHVfS40

Further Information

For questions about the event or submission process contact:

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma – [email protected]
Gloria-Karin López – [email protected]

Senior scholars interested in supporting the working groups may contact:

Joanna Masangkay – [email protected]

About the Organisers

About NEPSI – Network of Early Career Scholars and Practitioners in Social Innovation

NEPSI (Network of Early Career Scholars and Practitioners in Social Innovation) is an international, peer-led academic network supporting doctoral candidates and early-career researchers working on social innovation, urban transformation, and related fields. The network was founded by doctoral students in 2023 at the International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) in Guimarães, Portugal, and is convened by doctoral students and early-career researchers to support emerging scholars in advancing their research, building academic networks, and contributing to the evolving field of social innovation.

For more information: www.nepsi.org

About IUR – Institute for Urban Research

The Institute for Urban Research is a university-wide interdisciplinary research center that brings together all urban research at Malmö University. IUR is devoted to becoming an international leading center for research on urban justice. Their work focuses on four themes: Housing and Welfare, Green and Just Cities, Global Urbanism, and Urban Humanities.

IUR aims to be relevant not only to academia but also to society at large, addressing contemporary spatial, social, economic, environmental, and cultural challenges.

For more information: www.iuresearch.se

About Forum for Social Innovation Sweden

Forum for Social Innovation Sweden is a national knowledge and collaboration platform for social innovation. It follows developments in the field in Sweden and internationally and works to ensure that knowledge and experience are developed, shared, and utilized. Through research-based knowledge and cross-sector collaboration, the platform strengthens social innovation as a societal force.

The platform is present in five regions and universities across Sweden: the University of Borås, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University, Umeå University, and Örebro University. Malmö University serves as the coordinating institution.

For more information: socialinnovation.se