Call for Abstracts

Nordic International Relations in Times of Global Ruptures 

A Symposium for Doctoral Researchers and Early-Career Researchers

Åland Islands, Hotel Arkipelag, 19–21 August 2026

Aim

The symposium will continue a long-standing tradition of Nordic International Relations meetings with a particular focus on PhD students and early career scholars.

Its objectives are to:

• Provide a diverse, up-to-date understanding of how global changes affect international relations research and, in particular, its theory
• Reflect on recent disciplinary trends and debates in the Nordic countries
• Provide a supportive forum for the presentation and discussion of research papers, including opportunities for mentoring and feedback
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen academic networks across the Nordic countries

Programme

See below.

Confirmed Speakers

Rebecca Adler-Nissen (University of Copenhagen), Niklas Bremberg (Stockholm University), Benjamin de Carvalho (NUPI), Nina Graeger (PRIO, Emilian Kavalski (University of Tampere), Heikki Patomäki (University of Helsinki), Lisa Strömbom (Lund University), Henri Vogt (University of Turku) and many many more.

Target Group

PhD Students and early career researchers in the field of IR from the Nordic countries or associated with universities in the Nordic countries. However, the symposium is open to all interested.

Place and Venue

Mariehamn, Åland Islands

Hotel Arkipelag, 19-21.8.2026

Costs

Accomodation and meals for all accepted and invited participants (up to 40 PhD Students and ECRs) will be covered.

Additional participants are welcome to attend: support to them is subject to the availability of funding.

Registration

Send your 1) 300-word paper abstract and 2) a one-page CV by 15 March 2026 to tuukka.virtamo@tuni.fi

Participation will be confirmed by 1 April 2026.

Organisers

Chair of the organizing committee: Tuomas Forsberg, Tampere University tuomas.forsberg@tuni.fi

Coordinator: Tuukka Virtamo tuukka.virtamo@tuni.fi

Sponsors 

Preliminary programme

Wednesday 19 August 2026

16.00                Visit to Åland Islands Peace Institute

18.00                Reception

Thursday 20 August 2026

08.50 – 09.00 Introduction

09.00 – 10.30 Transformation of the Global Order and International Relations Theory

11.00 – 12.30 No more Great Debates or Does IR Need an Update in Metatheory?

Lunch

13.30 – 15.00 Paper session

15.00 – 16.00 Methods Cafe

16.00 – 17.30 Paper session

18.30 – 21.00 Dinner

Friday 21 August 2026

09.00 – 10.15 Environmental and Technological Changes as Challenges to IR

10.45 – 12.00 Can Old Theories Still Make Sense of New Wars and Conflicts?

Lunch

13.00 – 14.00 State of the IR in the Nordic countries

14.00 – 15.00 Theory Cafe

15.00 – 16.00 Strategies and opportunities in the changing publication landscape

16.15 – 21.00 Visit to Kastelholm Castle and Dinner