Conference Sub-Themes

1. Reclaiming and Reimagining Social Work Practice

• Post-colonial challenges and colonial continuities in social development
• Global inequities, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Culture, religion, and spirituality in social work
• Empowerment and community resilience
• Strengthening the social service workforce

2. Social Work Education, Pedagogy, and Research

• Innovating and reconfiguring curricula to meet global challenges
• Co-creation in education and field practice
• Inter-professional collaboration, mentorship, and supervision
• Lifelong learning and professional development
• Innovative and Indigenous research methods
• Bridging the North–South divide in publishing
• Democratising knowledge in social work education

3. Social Work and Social Welfare Across the Lifespan

• Strengthening families and safeguarding vulnerable populations
• Intergenerational solidarity and youth/elder participation
• Universal social protection frameworks
• Addressing poverty, inequality, and social justice
• Navigating ethical dilemmas and human rights
• Integrating intersectionality and lived experiences
• Advancing participatory approaches in social work

4. Social Work and Sustainable Development

• Advancing the UN 2030 Agenda and SDGs
• Inclusive and resilient communities
• Climate change, eco-social work, and green economies
• Food security and sustainable livelihoods
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Social work in education and criminal justice
• Rural social innovation and transformative policies

5. Clinical Social Work, Health, and Wellbeing

• Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in crises
• Substance abuse, addiction, and recovery pathways
• Disability, rehabilitation, and inclusive health technologies
• Patient advocacy, medical ethics, and holistic healthcare
• Digital health era and “medical tourism”
• Training, burnout prevention, and self-care

6. Social Work Practice in the Face of Global Challenges

• Globalisation, systemic inequalities, and economic transitions
• Migration, refugee crises, and labour mobility
• Human trafficking and exploitation
• Violence against women, children, and vulnerable groups
• Conflict, post-conflict, and humanitarian interventions
• Environmental disasters and emergencies
• Lessons from the post-COVID world

7. Social Movements, Political Social Work, and Democratic Societies

• Governance, politics, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution
• Social movements, activism, and youth engagement
• Cross-cultural coalitions shaping global policy
• Citizen empowerment and political participation
• Media, technology, and social narratives
• Models of social welfare in democratic societies

8. Digital Social Work, Innovation, and the Future

• AI, digital social work, and ethical practice
• Digital divides, algorithmic bias, and inequality
• Technology-mediated interventions
• Data privacy, informed consent, and digital practice
• Online counselling, tele-assistance, and literacy
• Technology-enhanced supervision & service delivery
• Preparing practitioners for digital futures

Submission Guidelines (Abstracts & Proceedings)

Presentation Formats

• Oral Presentations: 15–20 minutes + Q&A
• Symposia: 3–4 papers with a chair-led discussion
• Workshops: 60–90 minutes (interactive)
• Poster Presentations
• Roundtables & Youth Dialogues
• Flash Talks / Digital Presentations: 5–7 minutes

Abstract Requirements

• Length: 250–300 words
• Language: English
• Format: Word (Times New Roman, 12 pt)
• Include: title, authors, affiliation(s), email, 4–5 keywords

Submission Process

• Submit via email: [conference email address]
• Indicate preferred format + conference sub-theme
• Up to two submissions per participant

Publication

• Accepted abstracts published in the Book of Abstracts (ISBN)
• Selected full papers → Conference Proceedings (ISBN, open-access)

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: May 10, 2026
• Conference dates: May 13–14, 2026
• Full paper deadline: June 5, 2026
• Proceedings publication: July 25, 2026

Guidance for the Conference Proceedings

• Deadline: June 5, 2026
• Publication: July 25, 2026
• Format: DOC or DOCX
• Length: 5,000–6,000 words
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt; spacing 1.5
• Structure: Title, authors, abstract (150–200 words), Introduction, Methodology, Findings, Conclusion, References (APA 7)
• Tables/Figures: Numbered & captioned, placed inside text
• Language: clear, coherent, inclusive