Journal of Youth Studies (JYS) International Conference 2027
Tuesday, 4 May to Thursday, 6 May 2027
Porto | Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto
Abstract submission until 31 July 2026

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Journal of Youth Studies (JYS) International Conference 2027 at the University of Porto, Portugal. JYS, CIIE/JEDi, FPCEUP and ROOTS project are delighted to bring together a vibrant community of researchers, policymakers, students, educators, practitioners and others with an interest in Youth Studies to share knowledge, spark meaningful debate, and showcase the latest developments in this field.

 

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Young people are growing up in a global context where democracy and critical and independent thinking are under attack. They exist in a world of conflicts where peace, safety, fundamental rights, trustworthy institutions, the welfare state and a secure and democratic future are not guaranteed. Their lives are becoming unrooted and insecure, and their voices are rarely heard. They are among those most affected by intersecting forms of discrimination, marginalisation and poverty, and are victims of waves of disruption that interrupt their lives and educational and employment pathways. This conference – the 5th that the Journal of Youth Studies has sponsored - will provide the opportunity to discuss, debate and further our knowledge about young people’s current lives and circumstances - and the futures that they might face. It will provide space to investigate the role that young people – and community organisations and social welfare and education professionals that work with young people - can play in creating a safer, more secure and more socially just world.

Over three days, the ROOTS & VOICES conference will encourage engagement, debate, learning (and conviviality!). Critical youth studies scholars and education, youth work and community practitioners will come together to share theories, methodologies, research findings and community projects and, in a fast-changing world, to take stock of what we know and what can be done. The conference will be broad in scope and inclusive of a wide range of interests, including:

1. Youth politics, activism and democracy
   2. Youth transitions, social mobility and the life-course
   3. Youth work, professionals and community intervention
   4. Intersecting identities/ intersecting crises
   5. Youth, sexualities and gender
   6. Place, inequality and spatial justice
   7. Youth in conflict and post-conflict societies
   8. Youth culture, identities and belonging
   9. Youth futures and social policy for youth
   10. Young people, schools and communities
   11. Intergenerational inequalities and solidarities
   12. Violence and social harm
   13. Social class, poverty and marginalisation
   14. Migration, citizenship and youth rights
   15. Digital youth, innovation and literacies

ORGANISATION

The JYS Conference 2027 is the 5th International Conference of the Journal of Youth Studies, following conferences in Glasgow, Scotland in 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark in 2015, Newcastle, Australia in 2019, and Ulster, Northern Ireland in 2024. JYS is an international scholarly journal, published by Taylor and Francis/Routledge, devoted to the theoretical and empirical understanding of young people’s experiences and life contexts.

The conference is hosted by the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE), a research unit based at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Porto (FPCEUP), Portugal, and recognised for its work on education, inclusion and social change.

The local organisation is led in particular by JEDi – Youth, Education, Diversity and Innovation, a CIIE’s research community of practice focused on youth studies, and developed within the framework of ROOTS project (Ecologies of Impact and Value of Educational Mobilities), funded by FCT and ERDF/Compete 2030.

The organisation further benefits from the involvement of PIV (Inclusion Policies and Voices: Diversity, Gender and Intersectionality) and PCEP (Participation, Communities and Political Education), two other CIIE research communities of practice.

Members of CAFTe (Curriculum, Assessment, Training and Technologies in Education) and IDEAfor (Identity, Democracy, School, Administration and Training) also contribute to the initiative.

 

Organising Committee

Sofia Marques da Silva – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Robert MacDonald – University of Huddersfield, UK; Journal of Youth Studies (Editor-in-chief)
Marta Sampaio – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Isabel Menezes – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Sofia Almeida Santos – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal

Ana Cristina Torres – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Ana Luísa Costa – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Angélica Monteiro – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Carla Figueiredo – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Leanete Thomas Dotta – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Norberto Ribeiro – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Paulo Marinho – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Sara Pinheiro – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Teresa Silva Dias – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal
Thiago Freires – CIIE/FPCEUP, Portugal

 

 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

 David Farrugia

Associate Professor at the School of Education at Deakin University in Australia

Hannah King

Associate Professor at Durham University

Ricardo Campos

Principal researcher at CICS.Nova – Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences (NOVA University Lisbon), Portugal

Valentina Cuzzocrea

Professor of Sociology at the University of Cagliari, Italy

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract submission: 31 July 2026

Results notification: 25 September 2026

Early-bird registration: 25 September 2026 - 30 November 2026

2nd round of registration: 1 December 2026 - 31 January 2027

Final round of registration: 1 February 2027 - 31 March 2027

 

SUBMISSIONS

Abstracts are limited to 300 words, excluding the title and additional space for 5 references.

Please prepare your abstract under the following headings:

1. The problem
2. The approach
3. Findings
4. Implications/potential impact

Papers will be grouped into coherent panels of up to four or five papers in a 90-minute slot.

All submissions must indicate the main theme most closely related to the abstract being submitted. The Organisation reserves the right to reassign your abstract to a different theme if it is more relevant for programme planning purposes.

 

Important points for submitting an abstract:

1. When submitting an abstract, you will need to select one theme to align your abstract to.
2. Doctoral candidates may opt to present their work in a pitching format, consisting of a shorter presentation (5 minutes) followed by feedback from invited experts. Those wishing to choose this format should select ‘Pitching’ in the submission form. In all other cases, the option to be selected is 'Oral Communication'.
3. You will need to create an account to submit an abstract. Once you have signed in, please select the "Abstracts" > "Abstracts" option of the left side menu of your personal area.
4. Currently, you will not need to submit a full paper for the conference.
5. The conference is fully in-person, and we will not be accepting any virtual presentations.
6. You should receive an email confirmation with a copy of your abstract once your submission has been completed.
7. Only one abstract will normally be accepted per main presenting author, which will be the highest-scoring paper. This does not apply if you are a presenting co-author on other papers.

Please access your personal area of the conference to submit an abstract

https://jys-conference.eventqualia.net/en/cloud/5-jys-2627/account/login/

Abstract reviewing

Each abstract is reviewed anonymously by two reviewers drawn from JYS Conference Committees, with ad hoc reviewers if necessary.

Reviewing criteria

1. Clarity of the focus of the research
2. Originality of the research
3. Rigour of the research
4. Significance of the research for education and social practice, policy or theory relating to Youth Studies

 

CONTACT US
If you have questions about the submission criteria, please contact the organisation at: jysconference@fpce.up.pt.
If you have questions about the submission process and administrative details, please contact the organisation at: congress@eventqualia.net.

 

We look forward to welcoming you in May 2027!