The 2026 Conference for the Social Sciences
He Kai Kei Aku Ringa | There is food in my hands
2 – 4 December 2026
Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland | Aotearoa, New Zealand
We are pleased to share that submissions and registration are now open for the joint ASAANZ / SAANZ Conference for the Social Sciences: He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, to be held 2–4 December 2026 at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
This inaugural conference brings together scholars from across the social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, Māori and Indigenous studies, criminology, politics, gender studies, geography, and more, for what promises to be a lively and collaborative gathering.
Call for abstracts
Abstract submissions for the inaugural Conference of the Social Sciences [2-4 December 2026] are now open!
Conference planning is well underway and our registrations are live. We are happy to announce that Dr. Margaret Kawharu will be the Conference's opening keynote speaker on 2 December. We will have a number of panels, including a confirmed Mātauranga Māori panel which will include Dr. Lily George, Rev. Dr. Paul Reynolds, and Whaea Dolly Paul from the UoA Medical School, as well as student-focused pre-conference sessions and social activities. The programme is available on the website and will be updated as more speakers are confirmed.
We are currently open for registrations and abstract submissions. You may submit your abstract to the Anthropology stream (or one of the many other streams that may align with your work). The final submission date for abstracts is 31 August 2026. We are hoping to run all the anthropology submissions in our stream over the three days. Abstracts are reviewed on a rolling basis, so submit early if you need confirmation of acceptance before booking travel plans.
Here is the link to find out more information and submit an abstract: https://www.socialsciencesconference.nz/submissions/. You will need to create an account the first time you submit an abstract.
Key dates:
Submissions open: 28 April 2026
Early notification deadline: 30 June 2026
Final submission deadline: 31 August 2026
Presenter registration deadline: 2 October 2026
Early-bird registration closes: 2 October 2026
Conference: 2–4 December 2026
Full information, including registration and submission links, can be found at: www.socialsciencesconference.nz
We encourage ASAANZ members to consider submitting, this is a great opportunity to connect with a broad social science community here in Aotearoa.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marama or Jessie at m.murulanning@auckland.ac.nz or j.grayman@auckland.ac.nz.
