Glocal Intersections
Oaxaca, Mexico, 3-7 August 2026 (Hybrid Format)
The 19th International Conference of Sociocybernetics will take place in Oaxaca, Mexico, from August 3rd to August 7th, 2026. This event is organized under the theme “Glocal Intersections” and is coordinated by the ISA Research Committee 51 on Sociocybernetics (RC51) Board, with David Karminski Katz serving as Chair of the local organizing committee.
Rapid global transformations and emerging risks highlight the critical need to understand how information flows, social structures, and feedback processes operate simultaneously across multiple scales, shaping hybrid realities. In this context, the “glocal” becomes crucial analytical lens. Participants are encouraged to explore the interrelations among social complexity, risk, emerging technologies, adaptive governance, and processes of self-organization within an increasingly interdependent world.
Call for Papers
The conference welcomes theoretical, methodological, and applied papers that contribute to advancing this new sociocybernetic paradigm. We particularly encourage submissions that integrate systemic models, second-order cybernetics, network analysis, artificial intelligence, resilience dynamics, or transdisciplinary approaches connecting local and global dimensions in contemporary social phenomena.
All papers should demonstrate academic rigor and critical engagement with glocal intersections, offering innovative contributions that expand the field of sociocybernetics and its capacity to explain, anticipate, or intervene in complex social systems.
Conference Format
The conference will be held in a hybrid format. While in-person participation in Oaxaca is strongly advised and encouraged, online presentations will also be possible. Oral sessions will combine both in-person and virtual presenters, based on their preferences.
This conference is grounded in an epistemic principle that seeks to foster horizontal, in-person interaction among researchers, students, and individuals outside the academic sphere. This approach promotes an open and accessible space for dialogue, where diverse perspectives can contribute to the collective construction of knowledge. Furthermore, it aims to encourage the creation of theoretical and methodological interconnections across a wide range of topics, thereby supporting a transdisciplinary reflection that enriches sociocybernetic approaches to complex phenomena.
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts should be on 500-750 words, clearly stating the research problem, objectives, methodology, results, and implications. Use the following link for submission:
(The link for submitting abstracts will be provided after opening.)
We welcome original research papers, case studies, and review articles that align with the conference theme. Submissions should be in English, not exceeding 8,000 words, including references, tables, and figures. Selected works will be invited by the Journal of Sociocybernetics editors to submit their work for a special issue.
Venue, accommodation and lodging
The 19th International Conference of Sociocybernetics will take place in:
Biblioteca Francisco de Burgoa
UNAM unidadoaxaca.unam.mx
The participants are responsible for arranging accommodation on their own. Oaxaca is an attractive tourist centre so short visits will be arranged by the local organizers during the Conference. Get information in www.oaxaca.travel/index.php/en-us/
Important Dates
Abstract Submission opens: 6th March 2026
Abstract Submission ends: 15th April 2026
Notification of Acceptance ends: 30th April 2026
Registration opens: 6th March 2026
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15th July 2026 (to be considered for Journal of Sociocybernetics special issue)
Conference Dates: 3rd – 7th August 2026
Publication
Selected authors will be invited to submit their work for a special issue of the Journal of Sociocybernetics.
Participation fees
RC51 non members: 100 USD
Student fee RC51 non members: 50 USD*
RC51 regular members in good standing (ISA and RC51): No fee.
*For academic registration a student credential is needed to obtain the discount.
Interested in becoming an ISA RC51 member? Find information here
Local Organizing Committee
David KARMINSKI KATZ (México) (Chair)
Jorge CARDIEL, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (México)
Other Committee members: TBA
RC51 Organizing Committee
Saburo AKAHORI, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University (Japan, Chair)
Patricia E. ALMAGUER KALIXTO, Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)
Dalila CEREJO, Universidadde NOVA de Lisboa (Portugal)
Consuelo CORRADI, LUMSA Universitá (Italy)
Luciano GALLÓN, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia)
Fabio GIGLIETTO, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo” (Italy)
Satoshi IGUCHI, Chuo University (Japan)
Raija KOSKINEN, Häme University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
Chaime MARCUELLO-SERVÓS, Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)
Czesław MESJASZ, Krakow University of Economics (Poland)
Andrew MITCHELL, Kumamoto University (Japan)
Toru TAKAHASHI, Chuo University (Japan)
Conference Background
This multi-disciplinary, International Conference on Sociocybernetics is the annual symposium organized by the Research Committee 51 on Sociocybernetics (RC51) of the International Sociological Association (ISA). The main aim of RC51 is to stimulate and inform systems science approaches in sociology and other social sciences.
Contact
David KARMINSKI KATZ, karminski.k@gmail.com, Chair of the local organizing committee.
For queries related to submission, please contact Andrew MITCHELL, mitchell.andrew.neil@gmail.com, ISA RC51 Secretary and Saburo AKAHORI, akahori@lab.twcu.ac.jp, ISA RC51 President.
More information visit: sociocybernetics.org/conference/