The 49th Annual Meeting of the Society for Utopian Studies
Interconnections between Utopia and Dystopia in Times of Crisis
📅 November 12–14, 2026
đź“Ť Embassy Suites Portland Downtown
Portland, Oregon, USA
Proposal Deadline: June 30, 2026
Conference Organizers:
Sangita Gopal (Local Chair, University of Oregon)
Edward K. Chan (Program Co-Chair, Waseda University, Tokyo)
Patricia Ventura (Program Co-Chair, Spelman College)
Donald Zarate (Graduate Assistant, University of California, Riverside)
Conference Co-chairs email:
susprogramchair@gmail.com
Key Information
Call for Papers
Read the full call and submission guidelines.
→ View Call for Papers
Submit a Proposal
Individual papers, panels, roundtables, workshops, posters, and creative presentations are welcome.
→ Submit an Individual Proposal
→ Submit a Pre-formed Full Session Proposal
Registration & Membership
Conference registration and Society membership information.
→ Registration Details
Venue & Hotel
Information on the conference venue and accommodation with discounted rates. (With the understanding it is not always possible, the organizers encourage attendees to stay at the conference hotel, which helps prevent the Society from losing money.)
→ Hotel & Venue Information
Travel to Portland
Transportation information and directions.
→ Travel Information
Local Guide
Dining, cultural sites, and attractions in Portland.
→ Local Information
Conference Theme
A common assertion in utopian studies recognizes the dialectical relationship between utopia and dystopia. As several people have observed, every utopia contains elements of dystopia, and every dystopia contains the seeds of utopia: visions of how things might be otherwise intertwined with the realities of how things could be worse.
In times of crisis—marked by war, authoritarianism, deepening inequalities, ecological collapse, and widespread social upheaval—the relationship between utopia and dystopia becomes especially urgent. Rather than imagining utopia as an escapist ideal or perfect destination, this conference explores utopia as a horizon: a framework for critical thought, collective action, and envisioning alternatives to present conditions.
The 2026 meeting of the Society for Utopian Studies invites scholars, artists, activists, and practitioners from diverse fields to reflect on the interconnections between utopian and dystopian thought, representation, and practice. Contributions from any academic discipline as well as creative, activist, and community-based perspectives are welcome.
→ Read the Full Call for Papers
Proposal Information
The program committee invites proposals of 250–300 words for:
- Individual papers (15–20 minutes)
- Full panels (up to 4 presenters)
- Roundtables (3–6 presenters)
- Workshops (up to 6 presenters)
- Creative presentations or performances
- Poster or multimedia presentations
- Alternative formats such as lightning talks or PechaKucha
Proposals may address the conference theme or broader topics in utopian studies.
Proposal Deadline: June 30, 2026
Conference Venue
The conference will take place at Embassy Suites Portland Downtown, formerly the historic 1912 Multnomah Hotel, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the venue provides easy access to the city’s cultural institutions, restaurants, and public transportation.
More details on lodging and the conference hotel block with discounted rates will be available on the Venue & Hotel page. (With the understanding it is not always possible, the organizers encourage attendees to stay at the conference hotel, which helps prevent the Society from losing money.)
Conference Updates
→ Updates
Updates regarding keynote speakers, registration, the conference program, and local activities will be posted here as information becomes available.
- Keynote speaker announcement – Coming soon
- Registration opening – Summer 2026
- Preliminary program release – Fall 2026
About the Society for Utopian Studies
The Society for Utopian Studies is an international interdisciplinary association dedicated to the study of utopianism in literature, social thought, political theory, intentional communities, architecture, and other cultural forms. The annual meeting provides a collaborative space for scholars, artists, activists, and practitioners to explore utopian ideas and practices across disciplines.
The Society is also accepting nominations and/or submissions for the Lewis, Hough, Sargent, and Roemer awards. For graduate students, there is also the Nicole LaRose travel grant. For information, please see the Awards tab of the SUS website.
Questions about submissions or the conference program: susprogramchair@gmail.com