British Journal of Sociology Conference 2026

23 and 24 April 2026, LSE, UK

Following the success of the inaugural British Journal of Sociology Conference in 2024, we’re excited to announce its return in 2026. The British Journal of Sociology (BJS) editors are now accepting abstract submissions for the major international conference, to be held at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on 23 and 24 April 2026, in the year of LSE’s 130th anniversary.

The BJS conference will showcase cutting-edge research from across the discipline of sociology, and will also feature keynotes, plenary sessions curated by the Editors, and a series of author-meets-critics sessions debating high-profile new books. It will provide a pivotal in-person platform for more than 200 academics across the discipline to advance their research in conversation with colleagues, to learn about the most exciting theoretical, empirical, and methodological developments in the field as well as to foster new synergies and collaborations around pressing challenges relevant to sociology.

There is no predetermined theme for the conference. We invite scholars to submit abstracts of up to 400 words on topics relating to any aspect of sociology. Sessions will be structured by the thematic streams and intellectual foci derived from the submitted abstracts. We welcome submissions from scholars of all ranks and affiliations.

The inaugural BJS Conference, which took place in April 2024 at LSE, welcomed over 300 attendees from 138 different academic institutions and 23 countries.

Abstract submission has now closed.

Keynote speakers

Professor Monica Prasad, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Economic and Political Sociology, John Hopkins
Professor Prasad is a sociologist who analyses the complexities of capitalism, neoliberalism, and social policy. In her first book, The Politics of Free Markets, Prasad examines the rise of neoliberal policies in the 1970s and 1980s in the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany. In The Land of Too Much she provides a new explanation for why the U.S. looks so different from other developed countries. In her most recent book, Starving the Beast, Prasad dissects the American neoliberal obsession with tax cuts and investigates the history of the Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) and its effect on our economy forty years later.

British Journal of Sociology 2024 highlights

Please send any queries to bjs@lse.ac.uk. A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found below.

How do I submit my abstract for consideration?

Submit your abstract by Monday 20 October 2025.

Does the CfP include the possibility of publishing an article?

There will be no possibility of publishing papers in the journal with the CfP, but you are of course welcome to submit papers to the BJS later down the line.

How much does it cost to attend the conference?

Attending an in-person conference is a valuable opportunity to disseminate your research and make new connections; however, we understand that the associated costs often pose a barrier to participation for some. To ensure that as many researchers as possible can benefit from participating in the British Journal of Sociology Conference, registration fees for the conference have been set at two price tiers.


Waged Academic	£200.00
Concession (Unwaged, ECR, Student)	£125.00

Is there any additional funding that I can apply for?

For participants who require assistance with conference travel and accommodation expenses, we offer 15 travel bursaries to help offset the costs associated with attending our event. There are 10 bursaries of up to £250 and 5 bursaries of up to £1000, to offer greater levels of support to those in lower-income countries. The bursaries of up to £250 are available to delegates in countries in Category A and the bursaries of up to £1000 are open to those in Category B countries. Please refer to the BJS list of countries by category.

If I am accepted to present at the conference, what should I prepare?

Each session will last 1 hour and 30 minutes, with 30 minutes reserved for a Q&A session. Each presenter will be expected to present for approximately 15 minutes.

Is there a prayer space I can access during the conference?

LSE's Faith Centre is open to visitors and has spaces for reflection and prayer.

Where can I find out more about accessibility at the conference?

We are committed to making the conference as accessible as we can to all delegates. Please see our Accessibility Map. AccessAble have produced detailed access guides to LSE's campus, and route maps between key locations.

Attending an in-person conference is a valuable opportunity to disseminate your research and make new connections; however, we understand that the associated costs often pose a barrier to participation for some. To ensure that as many researchers as possible can benefit from participating in the British Journal of Sociology Conference, we are able to provide a limited number of bursaries for those experiencing financial hardship.

Bursary applications will open once the Call for Papers has closed.

British Journal of Sociology Conference 2026

23 and 24 April 2026, LSE, UK

Keynote speakers

British Journal of Sociology 2024 highlights

The BJS Editors

Frequently asked questions

Key dates

Bursary information