Call for proposals

Mapping Security in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia: Fault Lines and Frontlines
21-23 October 2026, University of Helsinki, Finland
Theme of 2026

We welcome submissions to the 25th Annual Aleksanteri Conference. This year’s conference addresses challenges of global insecurity by analysing responses to them in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The conference aims to advance our understanding of sources and mechanisms of security dynamics in the region and beyond through empirical research and theoretical engagement, addressing resilience of countries, communities, and individuals in the face of these challenges.

The organisers welcome contributions focusing on the changing frameworks for analysis:

  • Historical trajectories of (in)security in the region and beyond
  • War and (in)security: military, technological, and informational dimensions
  • The political economy of (in)security: costs, benefits, and sanctions
  • Explaining wars and insecurity: search for new conceptualization
  • Individuals and insecurities: mass values, attitudes, and behavior
  • Human dimension: gender, ethnicity, and nationalism in the age of insecurity
  • Wartime societies: agency, politics, resilience
  • Future of security: fault lines, frontlines, and prospects for tomorrow
Schedule and deadlines
  • Call for Proposals open: Friday 13 February - Thursday 7 May 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
  • Registration fees due by:
    • Early bird: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
    • Standard: Monday, 7 September 2026
    • Non-presenters: Monday, 12 October 2026
  • Conference programme published: Mid-September 2026
  • Conference: 21–23 October 2026
Registration fees

Early Bird: 140 € (available 10–30 June)

Standard: 180 € (available 1 July – 7 September)

Students and one day registration: 75 € (available 10 June –7 September)

Non-presenting attendees: one day registration 75 €, 3 days 180 € (available 10 June – 12 October)

Participants whose primary affiliation is with the Aleksanteri Institute or with a Ukrainian institution will be exempt from the participation fee.

Individual paper proposals

Complete the form and submit your abstract of maximum 250 words. Abstract structure: aim, methods, and conclusion. Please note that there is no remote presentation possibility for individual paper presenters. The organisers will form a limited number of thematic panels from the highest-rated individual proposals to take place in person at the conference venue. Panel Sessions are 90 minutes in length. In a three-paper panel, presenters are allotted 20 minutes each. If there are four papers then the allocated time for each presenter is 15 minutes. 

The deadline for submitting an individual paper proposal is 7 May 2026. Paper proposals will be reviewed by the conference organising committee. Notifications of acceptance will be sent to the email address provided in this form by 10 June 2026.

Panel proposals

Submit your panel proposal, including an abstract of 250 words, by completing this form. Abstract structure: aim, background, methods, findings and conclusion/recommendations.

The following panel proposals will be accepted:

  • Chair + three paper presenters + discussant
  • Extended chair (chair and discussant functions combined in one role) + four paper presenters

Panels must aim for an international composition. Contact information is required for each panellist, but their individual abstracts are not required.

Panel sessions will take place from Wednesday to Friday at the conference. Panel Sessions are 90 minutes in length. In a three-paper panel, presenters are allotted 20 minutes each. If there are four papers then the allocated time for each presenter is 15 minutes. One of the speakers on a panel may participate remotely, while others will give their presentations in person at the conference. Chairs should be present at the conference venue.

The deadline for submitting a panel proposal is 7 May 2026. Panel proposals will be reviewed by the conference organising committee. Notifications of acceptance will be sent to the email addresses provided in this form by 10 June 2026.

Roundtable proposals

Submit your roundtable proposal, including an abstract of 250 words, by completing this form. Roundtables must have a moderator and three to five speakers. Contact information of each roundtable participant is required.

Roundtables will take place from Wednesday to Friday at the conference venue. Roundtables are 90 minutes in length.  One of the speakers of the roundtable may participate remotely, while the others will give their presentations in person at the conference. Moderators should be present at the conference.

The deadline for submitting a roundtable proposal is 7 May 2026. Roundtable proposals will be reviewed by the conference organising committee. Notifications of acceptance will be sent to the email addresses provided in this form by 10 June 2026.