EWIS 2026: Call for Workshop Proposals 

Call for Workshop Proposals is CLOSED

The 13th European Workshops in International Studies invites participants to submit workshop proposals. 

Navigating a Fractured World:  Struggles for Survival and Solidarity 

The European International Studies Association (EISA) invites workshop proposals for EWIS 2026, which will take place at the Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, on 1-3 July 2026. The European Workshops in International Studies (EWIS), launched by the EISA in 2013, have quickly established themselves as a spirited place for the European IR community to engage in sustained, in-depth discussion with a diverse range of peers from various institutions, countries, disciplines, and career stages. EWIS has proven to be a popular and productive format, perfect for preparing special issues and edited volumes or exploring new ideas, themes, and directions in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. 

EWIS 2026, to be held in Izmir, will take place at a time of great challenges and clear failures in the international sphere. The first two decades of the 21st century have left a profound mark on the international political, institutional, and social order. A series of dramatic events – such as escalating wars and genocide, climate change and wildfires, gender backlash, or the persistent crises of capitalism – have heightened uncertainty and existential anxiety worldwide. As a result, this era is often referred to as the ‘fracture time’ or ‘emergency age’, where tectonic political shifts have proven highly contingent, with their disruptive effects extending beyond national borders. Actors at all levels are navigating a landscape of enduring fears and insecurities, both physical and ontological. 

Against this background, pessimism and negativity seem like natural responses. Still, struggles for survival and solidarity persist. While the failure of the international institutional order to deliver justice pushes us to a dark worldview, resistance remains a life-and-death necessity for many. Critical scholars, together with activists and subaltern voices, have turned to rage or anger as productive spaces from which to seek justice. We encourage colleagues to engage with failure and anxiety in similar ways, centring conflict, loss, and violence, as well as possibilities, repair, and alternatives.     

The 13th iteration of EWIS at the Izmir University of Economics invites scholars to reflect on today’s turbulent international climate and the debates surrounding the future of the liberal, Western-led world order. We welcome proposals addressing alternative visions of world politics, including critiques of globalism, the civilizational turn, populism, and skepticism toward multilateralism. We also encourage questions on the growing assertiveness of non-Western and regional powers, the impact of historical and cultural contexts on their approaches, and the role of persistent North–South inequalities. Finally, we invite reflections on how risks such as the uncontrolled expansion of AI, renewed wars, democratic backsliding, and economic crises intersect with opportunities for transformative change, and what new frameworks of global governance might emerge beyond Western hegemony. 

Venue

Izmir University of Economics (IUE), founded in 2001, stands as one of Turkey’s foremost private higher education institutions. Beginning with just 288 students, the university has grown exponentially, now enrolling over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and earning a reputation as one of the country’s most prestigious academic destinations. Today, IUE continues to expand its global footprint through strategic partnerships and international collaborations, further solidifying its role in shaping future leaders. 

Nestled along the Aegean coast, Izmir —historically known as Smyrna— is Turkey’s third-largest city and a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and tourism. Often called “Beautiful Izmir,” the city boasts an 8,500-year legacy, breathtaking turquoise bays, and a dynamic urban energy. Izmir has been home to various civilizations, religions, and cultures throughout history, which still reflects its cosmopolitan character and rich heritage. To the south of Izmir lies Ephesus, and to the north lies Pergamon—two of the most famous and significant cities of the ancient world, renowned globally. 

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 

Submission Deadline

Colleagues can now submit proposals for workshops via this form. The proposal deadline is November 24th, 2025. We intend to have workshops with up to 20 participants. 

All proposals should be submitted through the form. Please refer to the button below:

The proposals should include the following: 

1. 1. Workshop title, description of the proposed workshop topic and its relevance (max. 500 words) 
   2. An indication of possible paper topics and potential participants (1–2 pages) 
   3. A short biography of each workshop convenor (max. 1 page each) 

Workshop convenors must be EISA members at the time of submission. 

The submission form will ask for your membership number. To find this number, please log in to the membership portal https://eisa-net.org/login and then click in the upper right corner of the webpage on ‘my account’. This will display your membership number and expiration date of your membership. 

One can be listed as (co-)convenor for maximum one workshop.  

We are seeking proposals for workshops relevant to the EWIS 2026 theme but are also happy to consider proposals that explore other topics in International Studies. 

EWIS 2026 will take place in person. We are committed to offering our participants a safe and inclusive meeting space throughout the event. We will closely follow the public health and safety guidance issued by the local authorities and the University. The full details of the EWIS health and safety measures will be published on our website in due course. 

Conditions

Maximum of two conveners for each workshop. Workshop convenors must be current EISA members. They will pay a reduced participation fee and will be invited to the workshop convenors’ dinner. They will, however, fund and arrange their own travel and accommodation. 

Accepted workshop convenors will be notified by 15 December 2025.

The general call for papers will then open on 12th January 2026, and EISA members will be able to submit their abstracts until 11th February 2026. On our website, you can find a timeline of key dates, detailed submission instructions and further information about the venue and theme.

Workshop format

EWIS will be an on-site only event and no virtual participation is possible.   

The 13th iteration of EWIS will start on July 1, 2026 with registration, plenary sessions and welcome reception. The registration desk will open in the early morning. The plenary sessions will start around 13:00 followed by an early evening welcome reception. Workshops will take place on day 2 and 3 (July 2 and 3, 2026 respectively) from 9:00 until 18:00. 

Participants are expected to attend all sessions of their respective workshops. In total, we plan 8 sessions of 90 minutes each over the two workshop days (2 and 3 July 2026). This includes the introductory and conclusion sessions for each workshop. The EWIS format is meant to enable in-depth discussions in a closed group of participants. Each session will therefore host 2-3 papers maximum to ensure paper presenters have the most benefit from the workshop format. Typically, a small EWIS workshop has around 8 participants while we, based on previous experience, do not recommend workshops with more than 15 papers. 

Convenors of accepted workshops will have the following tasks/responsibilities: 

• • Share the call within your networks and directly reach out to those whom you indicated in your workshop proposals as confirmed/potential speakers. Make sure that everyone, including confirmed/potential paper presenters, submits their abstracts through the EISA’s submission portal before the official deadline.   

• • Review abstracts submitted to your respective workshops and make the decision on acceptance/rejection. EISA will be in touch concerning the technical steps in reviewing and evaluating applications. Once the abstract selection is completed, the EISA will send out acceptance and rejection emails. 

• • Once the registration is open, the EISA will send official emails to invite accepted paper presenters to register. We strongly encourage you to get in touch with prospective participants of your workshop to make sure everyone registers on time. Late registration will not be possible. 

• • Devise workshop sessions according to your workshop needs, such as time allocation, presentation type, assigning chairs/discussants, etc. You have flexibility in terms of how you want to distribute the sessions over the workshop period. Make sure you circulate individual papers at least 2 weeks before EWIS 2026 to allow other participants to read them. 

Contact

Please contact ewis26@eisa-net.org for general enquiries about EWIS 2026.  

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