- Where: Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- When: November 2026 (Thursday-Sunday, exact date to be determined)
CALL FOR PAPERS
The International Society for the Critical Study of Divination (ISCSD) will hold its First International Conference at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, during the first half of November 2026 (exact date to be announced)..
The central theme for the First International Conference of ISCSD will be “Predictive Practices and Interpretations.” With this theme in mind, the Society encourages panel proposals and individual papers centered on the critical study of predictive practices and their interpretive methods. We welcome panels in core disciplines of analysis of predictive practices including history, anthropology, etc. with examples from any place and time in the world.
Based on the initial estimate of persons who make a commitment to attend, we will seek financial support for roundtrip travel and accommodation for up to three nights.
ISCSD BOARD MEMBERS
- President: Michael Lackner, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Vice President: Marta Hanson, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Secretary: Stéphanie Homola, CNRS, Paris, France
- Treasurer: Stephan Heilen, University of Osnabrück, Germany
The First International Conference of the ISCSD is co-hosted by the Center for Advanced Studies – Erlangen (CAS-E) in Humanities and Social Sciences, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Building D1, Hartmannstraße 14, Erlangen, Germany.
Practicalities & Deadlines
(Preliminary schedule; updates will be communicated)
- 15 Feb 2026 – Deadline for preliminary commitment to attend
- 1 April 2026 – Early Bird Registration and submission of abstracts
- 1 June 2026 – Notification of acceptance of submissions (Abstracts cannot be accepted after this date)
- 1 August 2026 – Publication of preliminary program
- 1 April – 1 Nov 2026 – Late Registration and on-site registrations please add 50€ to Early Bird Fees (25€ for students & retirees)
Conference Fees (€/Euros)
Early Bird Registration – 1 Feb – 1 April 2026
- Standard Rate – 200€ (Includes 60€ standard 2027 membership incl. IJDP subscription [online or print edition])
- Graduate students, post-docs within 5 years of PhD, retirees – 100€ (Includes 2027 subscription and banquet)
- Guest/Companion – 100€ (Only for attending conference)
- Per diem registration – 30€ (Only for attending conference/day)
Registration for the conference automatically confers membership to the Society for the year 2027, which includes a subscription to the Society’s journal International Journal of Divination and Prognostication (IJDP). Fee also includes receptions and tea breaks. The Society Board members are applying for funding to cover travel and accommodation for those whose abstracts have been accepted for the conference program.
Registration after 1 April 2026, including On-Site Registration
- An extra 25€ for students and 50€ for all others will be added to the Early Bird Fees.
- Per diem registration will stay at 30€ for those who wish to pay per day they attend.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received in writing and emailed to ISCSD Secretary Stephanie Homola by 1 September 2026. After this date, a 50€ cancellation fee will apply.
Funding
ISCSD is seeking conference grant funding to support travel and accommodations for participants whose abstracts have been accepted. Funds from the Knowing Hands project will support those participants who will present papers in person on hand-based divination practices as part of a multi-paneled “Knowing Hands” symposium.
If you have questions, please contact the ISCSD Board.
