Call for Papers: Fourth Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19–20, 2026

Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne

The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies is hosting the Fourth Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy. The event is organized by the doctoral researchers of the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE), a graduate program that synthesizes approaches from economic sociology and political economy. Its research examines the relationship between the modern capitalist economy and its social and political foundations.

Conference details

The conference will be held in person from March 19 to 20, 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne. The MPIfG will cover the costs for travel expenses (second class train tickets, economy class plane tickets, public transport; cab fares are not covered), catering, and accommodation for external speakers (twin rooms). In addition to panel sessions, there will be a discussion round on present challenges we face as PhD students, coffee and lunch breaks, and gettogethers. The desired spirit of the conference will be one of close interaction and discussion. Participants will be asked to submit a short draft paper, prepare a brief presentation (approx. 10 minutes) on their research, and read the submitted papers of their panel colleagues. Work in early exploratory and conceptual stages is welcome. Each paper will be commented on by a discussant from the IMPRS-SPCE.

Submission details

The papers must be authored by current doctoral researchers. Submissions co-authored by a doctoral researcher are also welcome. However, the presentation of the paper at the conference has to be given exclusively by the doctoral researcher.

Interested scholars can apply by submitting a 300-word abstract including the research topic and the theoretical and methodological approach of their proposed paper via the following link by December 8, 2025: Abstract submission.

Successful applicants are expected to submit a draft paper of roughly 6000–8000 words by March 5, 2026. The compatibility of career and family is important to us. If you have any particular concerns regarding this or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the conference organizers via phdconference@mpifg.de.

Key dates