Call for Papers: Cross-Border Regions and the Future of European Integration: Governance, Mobility and Regional Transformation, 19-20 November 2026
Lund University, Sweden
Conference theme
Cross-border regions have long occupied a distinctive place within the European integration project. From the Oresund and Upper Rhine regions to the Benelux, Alpine and Irish borderlands, they have often been understood as laboratories of European integration – spaces in which the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital becomes embedded in everyday economic and social life. Through dense networks of commuting, trade, infrastructure, governance and institutional cooperation, cross-border regions have reshaped territorial relations in Europe and challenged traditional assumptions about the boundedness of the nation-state.
Against this backdrop, the conference starts from the proposition that cross-border regions provide a distinctive lens through which the evolving territorial dimensions of European integration can be analysed. Bringing together scholars from regional studies, economic geography, European studies, political geography, legal geography, law, sociology, political science, planning and related disciplines, the conference seeks to advance interdisciplinary dialogue on how law, governance, mobility and regional economic transformation are reshaping cross-border regions and, in turn, informing broader debates about the future of European integration. A selection of papers from the conference will be invited for submission to a proposed special issue in a leading interdisciplinary regional studies journal.
Submission guidelines
Researchers from across the social sciences, law, humanities and related interdisciplinary fields are warmly invited to submit proposals for papers. Submissions should include an abstract of no more than 300 words, a short biographical note of approximately 100 words and up to five keywords. We welcome contributions from academics, early career researchers, doctoral candidates, practitioners and policymakers working on questions related to cross-border cooperation, regional governance and territorial transformation. Please send submissions to marja-liisa.oberg@jur.lu.se with the subject line CFP Submission – Cross- Border Regions Conference.
Important dates
- Abstract submission – 10 September 2026
- Notification of acceptance – 18 September 2026
- Conference – 19-20 November 2026
- The organisers will cover flight/train tickets and two nights’ accommodation in Lund for accepted presenters (one presenter per co-authored paper).
- A selection of papers presented at the conference will be invited for submission to a proposed special issue.
- Full papers for special issue consideration will be due in May 2027.
For more details, refer here
