History
History
The Social Sciences and Humanities Conference (SHCONF), which began in Barcelona in 2019, has grown into a leading gathering for research across disciplines. After attracting contributors from many regions, the conference will return for its 11th edition in Tokyo from 18 - 20 June 2027.
Browse the Humanities and Social Sciences conference history now and see why thousands return year after year
Themes:
Social Sciences in Fast Evolution
The 10th edition in Tokyo welcomed researchers from Nigeria, Slovakia, Romania, Albania, the United States, and beyond. Presentations explored eco-friendly toilets and urban governance, scarcity-driven innovation, AI-driven identity economies, art therapy across generations, refugee policy reforms, digital solitude, mental health, and financial resilience.
Themes:
Societies in Focus
Examining today’s world to shape tomorrow’s understanding. This edition explored pressing social issues, human behavior, and structures that influence daily life, creating a space for practical research and shared learning across regions.
Themes:
The Future of the Past
Rethinking history for tomorrow’s better future. This edition connected past and present, as well as used memory and historical contexts, to inform possibilities of social and cultural developments for the future.
Themes:
Knowledge in Motion
Ideas that travel, transform, and bring us together. The conference was an exploration of how knowledge flows digital networks, education systems and research collaborations across the globe.
Themes:
Rethinking the Social Fabric
Transforming what we do, how we do it, and who we do it with. Participants were challenged to reconsider the structures that hold communities together, and how creativity and innovation can increase collective strength.
Themes:
Bridging the Divide
Connecting knowledge to action for the real world. In this edition, there was a move from knowledge to action and reinforced the value of including and collaborating with leaders from academics, government and community.
Themes:
Humanity in Transition
Adapting to a world of rapid change. In the time of global changes, participants examined how societies adapt through political, economic and technological change, with an emphasis on learning to be strong and adaptable.
Themes:
Voices and Perspectives
Increasing diversity into the global conversation. In focus on representation, identity, and inclusion, this edition amplified new perspectives that will shape the modern human experience.
Themes:
Crossroads of Thought
Where tradition meets transformation. This conference explored the ways that contemporary social structures respond to new challenges, inviting daring debate and cross-cultural collaboration.
Themes:
Foundations of Understanding
Learning the origins of human connection and meaning. The first round of conference created a place for critical dialogues across cultures and disciplines, as a basis for an ongoing tradition of collaboration and investigation.