Call for submissions

Social life is defined as much by moments of connection as by its absence. Experiences of exclusion, marginalization, loneliness, and solitude shape individuals’ emotions, cognition, and behavior with broad implications for well-being, identity, and societal cohesion. This pre-conference brings together scholars studying social connection and disconnection, including, but not limited to, topics such as loneliness, ostracism, solitude, stigma, marginalization, and belonging. Our goal is to foster dialogue across social psychology and related fields, connecting individual, relational, and societal perspectives on (dis)connection. The day will include keynote talks from Prof. Manuela Barreto (University of Exeter) and Prof. Netta Weinstein (University of Reading), thematic symposia and blitz sessions, ample time for discussion and networking, and an optional self-paid group dinner!

We particularly encourage submissions that include diverse or underrepresented populations and contexts, use rigorous quantitative or qualitative methods, and those led by early-career researchers, students, or scholars from underrepresented backgrounds.

We invite two forms of contributions:
● Talk (15 minutes)
● Blitz Presentation (5 minutes)

Please submit, in one document:
● Title of presentation
● Author(s) and affiliation(s)
● Abstract (max. 250 words)
● Preferred format (talk versus blitz presentation)
● Contact email for correspondence

Please follow this link: https://disconnectionpreconference.wordpress.com/
Submission deadline: January 5 2026
Notification of acceptance: January 25 2026
Final program: March 27, 2026
Pre-conference date: June 30, 2026 (Strasbourg, France)

The pre-conference organizers reserve the right to make final decisions regarding the presentation format, as well as the number and structure of symposia and Blitz sessions, based on submissions.

Please note that all attendees, including speakers and audience, must register for both the EASP General Meeting and the pre-conference via the official EASP registration portal. The pre-conference fee (€60) includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Participants may register for one pre-conference only to avoid scheduling conflicts. All speakers are expected to attend in person.

Find out more at the (Dis)Connection preconference website and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to your submissions!

Best regards,

Christiane Büttner (Stanford University, USA) – cbuttner@stanford.edu
Marco Marinucci (University of East Anglia, UK) – m.marinucci@uea.ac.uk