About ISISA
Conference info
The International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA) is a global network dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of islands and islandness, and is associated with the field's leading journals, including the Island Studies Journal. Its annualIslands of the World Conference provides a platform for learning, exchange, and island-led solutions.
About the 2027 conference
From 6–10 June 2027, the Islands of the World Conference comes to the Caribbean for the very first time, hosted in Curaçao. It is set in the historic district of Otrobanda, part of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Willemstad, known for its colourful architecture, living heritage, and community vibrancy.
The conference brings together island scholars and practitioners from across the globe. This year's theme, Navigating Challenges, Building Global Resilience: Island Solutions, foregrounds the unique position of small islands as both vulnerable to global crises and innovative in generating solutions.
The conference features keynote speakers, parallel research sessions, a field excursion, and social events that make the most of Curaçao's extraordinary setting.
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Conference themes & tracks
Rooted in island studies, the interdisciplinary field concerned with islandness, connectivity, vulnerability, and resilience, the conference is organised around five broad tracks. They are deliberately wide-ranging: cross-cutting and conceptual contributions, including work on migration and mobility, small island economies, education, and island theory itself, are warmly welcomed across all tracks — the overall conference theme of resilience and sustainability is a lens, not a requirement, and presentations that don't touch on it are just as welcome.
Click a theme to explore
Culture, Society, & Community
How island communities preserve, adapt, and transmit their identities, and build resilience against climate migration, cultural pressure, and change.
Explore theme →02Marine and Coastal Ecosystems & Environmental Management
Sustainable use of ocean resources, fisheries, coral reef conservation, sea-level rise, and coastal governance strategies for island development.
Explore theme →03Health, Equity, & Care
Island health systems, non-communicable disease burdens, mental health, remote care, and community-led health innovation.
Explore theme →04Politics & Governance
Political autonomy and constitutional arrangements alongside tourism-dependent economies, balancing growth with long-term sustainability.
Explore theme →05Technology & Innovation
Digital tools, appropriate technology, and island-led innovation, from connectivity and renewable energy to data, AI, and technology transfer.
Explore theme →Presentation formats
Islands of the World 2027 welcomes four submission formats. Indicate your preference when submitting; the programme committee may suggest an alternative if it better serves the programme.
A 20-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of open discussion. The standard format for single-author or co-authored research. Submit a structured abstract of around 200 words.
A curated session of 3–4 papers on a shared theme, submitted together by a panel coordinator. Each paper receives 20 minutes; the session runs for 90 minutes including a plenary discussion. The coordinator submits a brief panel rationale (up to 200 words) alongside the individual paper abstracts.
A visual display of your research presented during a dedicated poster session. Well-suited to work in progress, visual or spatial research, and contributions that benefit from one-to-one conversation. Posters should be prepared in A0 portrait format.
A structured discussion session without formal paper presentations. Suitable for emerging debates, policy conversations, or collaborative problem-solving. Proposals should describe the topic, rationale, and discussion format (up to 6 participants, 60–90 minutes). No individual paper abstract required.
Key dates
- LiveWebsite launched
- 1 Aug 2026Call for Abstracts opens
- 15 Oct 2026Abstract deadline
- Dec 2026Acceptance notifications
- Dec 2026Early Bird registration opens
- 6–10 Jun 2027Islands of the World Conference, Curaçao
- 11 Jun 2027Post-conference trip
