Call for Sessions
Call for Sessions: October 1 – November 1, 2024
We invite you to submit a session proposal for inclusion in the Conference Program. The session may be centered on the Conference theme or relate to other sociological areas of research. Session proposals are reviewed by the Conference Program Committee who will ensure a variety of session topics are included reflecting all areas of sociology-related fields. Notification regarding the results of the review process will be communicated on or about November 29, 2024.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
2025 Conference Planning Committee
Liam Swiss, Acadia University
Mark Stoddart, Memorial University
Nadiya Ali, Trent University
Jessica Briamoh, York University
Kara Brisson-Boivin, MediaSmarts
Guillaume Durou, University of Alberta
Nicole McNair, McMaster University
Ayesha Mian Akram, University of Calgary
Mohammed Nijim, Carleton University
J Overholser, University of Calgary
Giselle Thompson, University of Alberta
Before Submitting a Session Proposal
Please review the information below before submitting your proposal. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require assistance.
- Conference Theme
Committing Sociology for Social Impact
The Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) first embraced the slogan 'Commit Sociology' in 2013 in response to the then Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's dismissive reference to the discipline. We continue to highlight the research work conducted by students, scholars, and community engaged practitioners contributing to a better understanding of society. This year's conference will feature sessions focusing on how we build partnerships between academia and diverse publics for social impact within Canada and globally.
- Conference Participation Policy
Membership in the Canadian Sociological Association is not required when submitting a session proposal. However, all participants in a session (chair, moderator, discussant, presenters, panelists, and keynote speaker) must be both a member of the Canadian Sociological Association and register as a Conference delegate by April 15, 2025.
Membership Requirement
Canadian Sociological Association Membership is independent of Conference registration.
The first step is to ensure that your membership is in good standing throughout June 13, 2025. This may require that you enrol as a new member of the Canadian Sociological Association or renew your membership if it is set to expire prior to the Conference. Membership renewal will be possible 45 days prior to the expiration date. Learn More
Contact us if you are unsure about the current standing of your membership.
Conference Registration
In-person Conference June 1-5, 2025 - subject to change
The Canadian Sociological Association Conference will be held as part of the larger Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences at George Brown College therefore those wishing to attend our Conference must register through Congress with the Canadian Sociological Association Conference fee included. Registration opens in January 2025 and the deadline to register is April 15, 2025. Congress delegate registration includes the virtual conference as well.
Virtual Conference June 9-13, 2025
All participants in the Conference virtual sessions (chair, moderator, discussant, presenters, panelists, and keynote speakers) must register for the Canadian Sociological Association Conference. This would be submitted directly to the CSA. Registration opens January 2025 and the deadline to register is April 15, 2025.
Audience members will be able to attend free of charge.
- About CSA Conference Sessions
The CSA Conference Program is scheduled in four 90-minute time-slots each day with breaks in between. There are up to thirteen concurrent sessions in each time-slot.
Sessions will feature paper presentations or a panel discussion centered on a specific topic. They may also take the form of a keynote lecture, workshop, roundtable, or poster session.
Sessions may be organized by CSA members, Research Clusters, or CSA Subcommittees. We also host interdisciplinary sessions in collaboration with other Associations participating in Congress.
Guidelines
• Sessions may be held in English and/or French
• New – Roundtable sessions and Poster presentations will be incorporated into the program
• Paper presentation sessions may be open to the Call for Abstracts (December 4, 2024 – January 27, 2025)
• Session organizers are responsible for reviewing abstracts between January 28 through February 14, 2025
• Sessions receiving less then 3 suitable abstracts may be merged or cancelled
• Sessions receiving 7 or more suitable abstracts may be sub-divided into multiple sessions. Presentations may also be reassigned to a poster or round table session
• Panel, Keynote, Workshop, and Paper Presentation (not open to the Call for Abstracts) session organizers must confirm their participants by February 14, 2025
• Session organizers typically chair the sessions they propose
• Session Chairs must have a co-chair in attendance if they are presenting in their session
- Session Formats
All sessions are allotted 90 minutes (with the exception of Keynote Lectures which are allotted 60 minutes) and must include at least 15 minutes at the end for audience questions.
Keynote Lectures
• 1 speaker and 1 moderator
Paper Presentation sessions
• May be open to the Call for Abstracts or include pre-arranged presenters
• Between 3 and 5 paper presentations on a particular subject will be included in the session
• Speakers will be allotted between 12 and 20 minutes depending on the number of presentations in the session
• Papers must be presented in the order listed in the program
• A discussant may only be included in sessions with 3 presentations
Panel Sessions
• May include up to 5 panelists panelists and a moderator for a group discussion on a particular subject
Poster Sessions
•Presenters will be scheduled for a specific day and time period to speak about their work with delegates
Roundtable Sessions
• May include up to 5 participants discussing research proposals, work in progress, or literature reviews
• Multiple roundtable sessions will be held in one large room
Workshop Sessions
• May include facilitators and participants
• Pre-registration through the Canadian Sociological Association is possible – contact us for details
- Research Cluster Affiliation
Sessions have the option of being affiliated with one or more of the Canadian Sociological Association’s Research Clusters (RCs). The RCs may advise members to submit proposals directly to the CSA or send proposals to them for initial vetting. Contact the RCs for further information. Note that official affiliation in the Conference Program requires approval from the RC(s).
- Interdisciplinary Sessions
The Canadian Sociological Association welcomes session collaboration with other associations, research groups, or organizations participating in Congress.
There are two categories of interdisciplinary sessions:
Cross-listed Sessions
• Sponsored by one primary association with promotion among other associations
• Abstract submissions processed by the primary association
• Session will be listed in the programs of cross-listed associations
• Session will be hosted and scheduled by the primary association with details communicated to the cross listed associations
• Participants must be members and registered congress delegates of the primary association
• Congress delegates from all associations are welcome to attend as observers
Joint Sessions
• Partnership between multiple associations or organizations participating in Congress
• Session will be listed in the programs of co-sponsors
• Session will be hosted and scheduled by one of the associations as mutually agreed upon
• At least one session organizer and one additional participant in a session hosted by the Canadian Sociological Association must be members and registered delegates of our association
• Other participants must be members and registered congress delegates of at least one of the partner associations
• Administrators will consult organizers to validate memberships
• Abstract submissions accepted by partner associations
• Any applications for Congress funding with the Canadian Sociological Association listed as co-organizers are required to be pre-approved by our association. The allocation of funds must also be mutually agreed upon by the partner associations.
Submit your session proposal
Opens October 1, 2024
All proposals must be submitted through our online form by 11:59pm PST on November 1, 2024. Please contact us if you require assistance.
The online submission form will request session organizer details as well as session information:
- Title
- Description (300 word maximum or 600 words if including both English and French)
- Language(s)
- Topic(s) or Keyword
- Format (paper presentation, panel, keynote, roundtable, or workshop)
- Category (in-person only or virtual)
- Open to the call for abstracts or presenters have been pre-arranged
- Research Cluster affiliation (subject to approval by the research cluster)
- Relation to the Conference theme
Call for Abstracts: December 4, 2024 – January 27, 2025
Those wishing to present their research at the Conference may submit an abstract of their paper to one of the sessions that have been approved for the Conference program. Full information will be posted on December 4.