Eurac Research to Host 2026 IPSA Research Committees Colloquium

The event is organized by IPSA RC14 Politics and Ethnicity in collaboration with RC13 Democratization in Comparative Perspective, RC23 Elections, Citizens and Parties, RC28 Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance, RC43 Religion and Politics, and RC44 Security, Conflict and Democratization.

Titled “Minorities Under Siege? Plural Societies Facing Plural Challenges”, the colloquium will address the complex and evolving challenges faced by minority communities in contemporary states. The concept of being “under siege” serves as a lens to examine systemic threats, vulnerabilities, and pressures in an increasingly volatile global context.

The call for papers invites contributions on the politics of ethnically plural societies, with a focus on four thematic areas:

• Global political dynamics: The impact of socio-economic changes and populist movements on minority protections, federalism, and decentralization.
• Minorities in conflict zones: The overlooked needs of marginalized groups in conflict settings and the role of regional organizations such as ASEAN and the EU.
• Technology and identity: The implications of AI, digital identity infrastructures, and data-driven governance for ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity.
• Democratic institutions and inclusion: The potential of constitutional mechanisms to transform exclusion into inclusion and promote stability in pluralistic societies.

Set in South Tyrol—a region internationally recognized for its autonomy model and peaceful coexistence among linguistic groups—the colloquium provides a space for scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers to reflect on issues such as language policy, cultural heritage, structural inequalities, and the balance between diversity and social cohesion.

Submission Guidelines

• Paper proposals: Contact details, title, and abstract (max. 200 words).
• Panel proposals: 3–4 papers, contact details for all participants, panel title and description (max. 200 words), and individual paper abstracts (max. 200 words each).

Deadline: 10 January 2026 Notification of acceptance: Week of 2 February 2026 Submission link: form.jotform.com/tagarin/colloquium-bolzano Event details: sites.google.com/view/ipsarc14/colloquia/bolzanobozen-2026