Guidelines & Instructions
The CSA Conference will be held with virtual sessions from June 2 through June 4 followed by in-person sessions from June 10 through June 13 at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We are very excited to work in partnership with the university’s Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology to host our members and the wider community at our 59th Annual Conference.
Harbours of Hope: Sociology in a Divided World
In choosing our conference theme, the CSA highlights the unique setting of Halifax with its Atlantic geography on the Bedford Basin. At the same time, our conference programming embraces the idea of using sociological dialogue to address the political polarization and growing geopolitical anxieties that dominate so much of our current political, media, and public discourse.
Call for Abstracts: December 3, 2025 - January 26, 2026
CSA Conference delegates benefit from the opportunity to learn from, and engage with, scholars and practitioners working within the discipline of sociology. We are hoping that this Conference format will maintain accessibility for our members and the wider community.
Those wishing to present at the Conference may submit an abstract of their paper or presentation to one of the sessions that have been approved for the Conference program. Review the session list.
Reminder: Presenters may submit a maximum of two (2) different abstracts to two (2) different sessions.
Please review the information below before submitting your proposal. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require assistance. Notification regarding the results of the review process will be communicated on February 13, 2026.
We look forward to receiving your submissions through the online form linked below beginning December 3!
2026 Conference Program Committee
Before Submitting Your Abstract
Please review the information below before submitting your abstract.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require assistance.
Compliance Deadline: April 15, 2026
Membership in the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) is not required when submitting an abstract.
If the abstract is approved for presentation in the CSA Conference, the membership in the CSA and Conference registration will be required by April 15, 2026.
Note: Paper co-authors neither presenting nor attending the CSA Conference are exempt from these registration requirements.
Presentations for approved abstracts will be assigned to a specific session by the session organizer(s) and/or the Conference Program Committee.
A participant may be the sole or primary presenter in up to two (2) different sessions.
A participant may also be a panelist, chair, discussant, or co-presenter in additional sessions.
Participants must comply with the Conference Participation Policies by April 15, 2026. Paper co-authors neither presenting nor attending the CSA Conference are exempt from these registration requirements.
The CSA Office must be notified immediately if there are changes to a presentation title or abstract or if the presentation has been withdrawn to ensure accuracy of the Conference Program.
Session organizers may request a copy of a paper and/or presentation prior to the Conference for an opportunity to review and provide feedback. Full papers or presentations will not be posted on the CSA Conference website nor within the Conference Program. Failure to maintain communication with, or provide information requested by, the session organizer or the CSA may result in the removal of the presentation from the Conference program.
Multiple concurrent sessions are scheduled in four 90-minute timeslots each day with breaks in between. Participants in presentation and roundtable sessions will be given between 12-20 minutes for their presentations depending on the number of presentations in the session.
3 presentations - 20 minutes each
4 presentations - 15 minutes each
5 presentations - 12 minutes each
Presentation Sessions
In-person session participants typically present orally with slides (using the audio-visual equipment set up in the room).
Virtual session participants will be utilizing Zoom to share their screen and slides while presenting orally.
Presentations may also take a more creative approach such as a film showing or performance art.
Roundtable Sessions (In-person conference only)
Multiple sessions will be held concurrently in one large room.
Audio-visual equipment will not be available.
In-person participants will present orally and may include hand-outs.
Panel Sessions
Invited speakers participate in a group discussion on a particular subject.
In-person speakers may utilize slides using the audio-visual equipment set up in the room.
Virtual session participants will be utilizing Zoom to share their screen and slides if applicable.
The CSA Conference utilizes an online abstract submission system. Abstracts are submitted to a specific session open to the Call for Abstracts. You may submit a maximum of two (2) different abstracts to two (2) different sessions.
Visit the session list page to download full session details. This document provides important session information including: language(s), format, and whether in-person and/or virtual presentations will be considered.
Note the session Track, code and title you wish to submit to before beginning the abstract submission form.
All abstracts must be submitted through our online form by 11:59pm Eastern Time on January 26, 2026. Please contact us if you require assistance.
The online submission form will request author/presenter details (name, affiliation, and email address) as well as the following information:
Attendance preference (virtual or in-person).
The session you wish to present in (note the session Track, code and title before completing the form). The Conference Program Committee reserves the right to re-assign your abstract to a different session for consideration after initial review.
Presentation language
Presentation title (15-word maximum)
Abstract (300-word maximum). Be sure to include the following elements; Overall description of the topic explored; Outline of the main argument(s); and Brief summary of the conclusion(s). Refer to past Conference Programs for abstract examples. Note: the submission of bilingual abstracts is possible.
Option to include additional information or factors to consider about your proposed abstract and presentation
Research status; proposal, in-progress, or completed
Presentation elements; creative, literature review, methodological framework, policy recommendations, qualitative and/or quantitative date, research results, theoretical framework
Ability to submit a full paper by May 22, 2026
Supporting funding agencies
Comments for the session organizers
Ready to Submit
Review the list of sessions open to the Call for Abstracts to determine the most appropriate session before completing the Abstract Submission Form.
Abstracts must be submitted online between December 3, 2025 and January 26, 2026 (11:59 PM - Eastern Time).
The CSA will be posting abstract review results and session organizer feedback on February 13, 2026.