[KS] CfP: Korea Futures Conference University of Sheffield 2026

[Sarah A Son]

Call for Conference Papers

Korea Futures: Society, Sustainability, and Transformation

Centre for Korean Studies

University of Sheffield, UK

26-27 March 2026

The challenges facing contemporary societies, including demographic ageing,
technological disruption, environmental crisis, and widening inequality,
are deeply interconnected. Across the world, governments and communities
are grappling with how to build sustainable and inclusive futures amid
accelerating change.

South Korea provides a particularly compelling vantage point from which to
consider these global transformations. As a highly developed democracy and
innovation-driven economy, Korea has undergone one of the most rapid social
and cultural transitions of the modern era, from post-war reconstruction
and authoritarian rule to digital modernity and global cultural influence.
It now faces the complex consequences of that transformation: an ageing
population, changing labour markets, housing pressures, environmental
vulnerability, and new forms of social activism and political participation.

Korea Futures invites presenters to reflect on these intersecting processes
of change and continuity, and to consider how Korea’s experiences can
illuminate broader questions about sustainability, equity, and global
interdependence. The conference aims to foster dialogue across disciplines
to imagine Korea’s multiple futures in a connected world.

Possible themes include:

   -

   Climate change, sustainability, and environmental policy

   -

   Work, wellbeing, and inequality

   -

   Demographic change, migration, and cultural diversity

   -

   Digital society, AI, and technological ethics

   -

   Urban transformation, housing, and community development

   -

   Global engagement, diplomacy and Korea’s role in a changing world


Venue and Dates:

University of Sheffield, UK

Thursday 26 March - Friday 27 March 2026

The cost of accommodation in Sheffield will be covered for successful
applicants travelling from outside Sheffield. Most meals during the
conference are catered.

Schedule:

Wednesday March 25: Arrival and check-in

Thursday March 26: Conference (full day)

Friday March 27: Conference (full day)

Saturday March 28: Depart Sheffield

Application and submission of abstracts:

Applicants should submit the following information by email to
cks at sheffield.ac.uk by the deadline of Wednesday 26th  November, 2025.


   1.

   Your full name as you would like it to appear in the abstract booklet
   2.

   You institutional affiliation and role
   3.

   Your email and telephone number (including country code)
   4.

   Title of your paper
   5.

   A 250-word abstract in print-ready format
   6.

   The file should be named as follows: surname_paper title.doc (document
   format, no PDFs please)
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