Call for Participation
Practice Theory Gathering 2025 Hosted by the Practice Theory Consortium Crew Online | 13–14 November 2025, 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 fifth 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.
2025 Theme: Practice Theory – Past, Present, Future This year’s Gathering takes inspiration from the inaugural issue of The Journal of Practice Theory – a new interdisciplinary, open-access journal dedicated to advancing theoretical and empirical contributions in this growing field – to focus on how practice theories have developed, what they are up to at present, and what might come next.
It will draw on the expertise and experience of, among others:
· Thomas Alkemeyer, Stanley Blue, Silvia Gherardi, Cecily Maller, Davide Nicolini, Seweryn Rudnicki, Ted Schatzki, Elizabeth Shove, Violetta Splitter, and Matt Watson.
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 in practice theory;
· Insight into emerging research and new directions in the field;
· 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 | 13 November 2025 | 6pm – 11.30pm CET
We’ll open with news and ways to engage with the Practice Theory Consortium, followed by the launch of The Journal of Practice Theory, whose contributions reflect on past, present, and future positions and trajectories of practice theory.
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;
· A panel debate on ‘The significance of the human being in practice theory’, drawing on contributors to the journal;
· Virtual Pubs, where attendees hang out with other practice theory enthusiasts to round off the evening.
Day Two | 15 November 2025, 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: ptgathering@lancaster.ac.uk
Practice Theory Enthusiasts of the World Unite! — Let’s gather, reflect, connect, and look ahead together.
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.