Call for Participation
Practice Theory Gathering 2026 Hosted by the Practice Theory Consortium Crew Online | 19–20th November 2026, from 6pm CET
Are you working with theories of practice in your research? Just getting started? Or simply curious about what practice theory can do? Whether you’re a doctoral researcher, early career scholar, seasoned theorist, or enthusiastic newcomer, we warmly invite you to join researchers from around the globe to the 2026 Practice Theory Gathering!
If you would like to attend, follow this link to register.
This informal, international online event combines elements of lecture, seminar, discussion group, tutorial, and social meeting. It is a chance to meet others working with practice theory across disciplines and career stages and, in this year’s Gathering, to think together about where the field has come from – and where it’s going.
Through the 2026 Theme: ‘Practice Theory – Paths of Obduracy and Dynamics of Change’, the event and the discussions will attempt to grasp how the social can be portrayed both as made of accelerating consequential change and rampant inertia. The Gathering will reflect on how change comes about (or not), materializes, and travels across different paths and scales.
It will draw on the expertise and experience of, among others:
Brian Pentland, Anique Hommels, Elizabeth Shove, Ted Schatzki, Stanley Blue, Thomas Alkemeyer, Seweryn Rudnicki, and many more who have been recurrently involved in the event over the years!
What To Expect
Across two days of short talks, open discussions, idea-sharing sessions, and informal social spaces, the Gathering offers:
- Discussions of core ideas around change and its dynamics, reluctance to change, and stability;
- Theme-based discussions related to main core topics harnessed through theories of practice;
- Opportunities to connect with an international community of practice theory researchers;
- The chance to make interdisciplinary connections on topics of mutual interest;
- A welcoming environment for exchange.
Highlights
Day One | 19 November 2026 | 6pm – 10:30pm CET
We’ll open with news and ways to engage with the Practice Theory Consortium, followed by a panel debate on ‘Paths of Obduracy and Dynamics of Change’, drawing on our invited panellists’ expertise: Anique Hommels, Brian Pentland, and Elizabeth Shove.
Later sessions include:
- Ideas Playgrounds, where participants gather in smaller groups to explore themes or issues crowd-sourced in advance;
- Mini Gatherings, designed for meeting others and hearing about what they’re working on;
- Virtual Pubs, where attendees hang out with other practice theory enthusiasts to round off the evening.
Day Two | 20 November 2026, from 7pm – 10.15pm CET
The second day focuses on roundtable discussions of short written submissions (no longer than 3000 words in length) in small, supportive groups, followed by informal virtual dinner parties – bring your own food!
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You are welcome to join us just for the first day or to submit a text to discuss and join for both days.
Participation is free, but spaces are limited.
Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To register: complete the short registration form. Or to ask a question, write to the organising team: Josiane Fernandes j.fernandes@lancaster.ac.uk or Manuel Baeriswyl manuel.baeriswyl@usi.ch
Practice Theory Enthusiasts of the World Unite! — Let’s gather, reflect, connect, and look ahead together.
Link to pdf of the 2026 call for participation.
The Practice Theory Gathering 2025
was held online, 13th to 14th November 2025
Link to pdf of the 2025 call for participation.
The Practice Theory Gathering 2024
was held online, 14th November 2024, 6 PM – 12 PM CET and
15th November 2024, 7 PM – 10.15 PM CET
This event concluded with a ‘capping off’ ceremony.
Link to an animated gif of the capping off
In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the Consortium Crew organised World Gatherings of PhD students and early career researchers working on practice theory. You can find an example of the 2024 programme here.