Call for Thematic Streams

The Nordic Network of Disability Research (NNDR) will host its 18^th research conference between the 12^th and 14^th May 2027 at the Clarion Hotel, Trondheim, Norway, in cooperation with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Over the past decades, NNDR conferences have grown from small Nordic gatherings into a vibrant international meeting place. Today, NNDR attracts researchers and activists from across the world, reflecting both the increasing global relevance of disability research and the expanding breadth of themes, methodologies, and disciplinary engagements.

This growing interest and diversity of contributions were important factors behind NNDR’s decision to introduce thematic streams for the first time at the 2025 conference in Helsinki. Thematic streams were developed to strengthen scholarly dialogue, facilitate continuity between conferences, and support the emergence of stable sub‑communities within NNDR. By grouping related papers and sessions under broader thematic umbrellas, the streams provided clearer structure, fostered deeper engagement within specialised areas, and helped maintain a sense of shared purpose across an increasingly large and multifaceted programme.

Given the positive response to the thematic streams in 2025, both in terms of academic interaction and organisational clarity, NNDR is delighted to continue and further develop the thematic stream model for the 2027 conference in Trondheim. The following streams from Helsinki will continue into next year’s conference:

Disability and history
Disability and the digital society
Disability and the labour market
Disability experience in the university (adapted from Disability and education)
Disabilities in modern societies
Global disability studies
Independent living
Neurodiversity
Service quality for people with intellectual disabilities
Youth and transitions

These streams have demonstrated strong engagement and relevance, and their continuation supports NNDR’s goal of strengthening ongoing collaboration and thematic coherence across conferences.

Call for New Thematic Stream Proposals

We now invite proposals for new thematic streams that address topics not already covered by the ongoing streams listed above. Each proposal should include:

A suggested thematic stream title
Names and contact details of 2–4 proposed coordinators
A short description of the thematic stream (max. 300 words)

Coordinators will collaborate with the conference organisers in autumn 2026 to review abstracts submitted to their stream and develop the programme for their stream. As a guiding structure, we anticipate that one session will comprise 3–4 papers, and that one thematic stream will include the equivalent of three or more sessions. While the primary commitment concerns NNDR 2027, expressions of interest in supporting the same stream beyond 2027 are warmly welcomed.

There are no predefined rules for how broad or narrow a thematic stream must be. However, proposals will be assessed based on thematic clarity, contribution to diversity and balance within the overall programme, and potential to foster sustainable scholarly communities.

Submission

Please send your thematic stream proposal to nndr2027programme@konferanser.ntnu.no by April 24^th, 2026. For any questions, please contact the chair of NNDR 2027, Professor Patrick Kermit.

Call for Thematic Streams

Organized by: