International ISCSD Conference: “Predictive Practices & Interpretations”

About the Conference

In cooperation with the Knowing Hands project, the International Society for the Critical Study of Divination (ISCSD) is hosting its inaugural international conference at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. The central theme – “Predictive Practices and Interpretations” – will be explored across three interconnected aspects:

• Body – bodily practices, routines of perception and action, and embodied knowledge in divination, astrology, medicine, and ritual;
• Materials – objects, media, diagrams, and material artefacts as carriers of prognostic knowledge;
• Sources – textual corpora, manuscripts, manuals, collections of omens, and case reports, as well as methods of interpreting them.

Conference At a Glance

Registration Status & How to Register

Speaker/Presentation Registration: Closed (deadline: 16 February 2026)

Attendee Registration: Open and welcome.

Key Deadlines

Conference Fees (in Euros €)

Early Bird Registration (1 February – 1 July 2026)

¹ The Zoom link for remote participation will be communicated shortly before the event.

Late Registration (1 July – 1 November 2026, including on-site)

• Add €50 to Early Bird fees for standard rates
• Add €25 to Early Bird fees for students and retirees
• Per diem rate remains €30/day (in-person) resp. €15/day (online)

What Registration Includes

All registrations² automatically confer 2027 ISCSD membership, which includes a 1-year subscription to the International Journal of Divination and Prognostication (IJDP). Fee covers receptions and tea breaks; in-person attendees² also receive the conference banquet.

² Except guests/companions and per diem participants.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to ISCSD Secretary Stephanie Homola by 1 September 2026. Cancellations received after this date incur a €50 fee.

Financial Support for Speakers

The ISCSD Board is committed to supporting accepted speakers. We are grateful to our co-sponsors – Beijing Language and Culture University (北京语言大学) and the World Sinology Center (世界汉学中心) – whose generous contributions make this support possible. Although our DFG and Thyssen Foundation funding applications were declined, these co-sponsors have provided funds that allow us to offer accommodation assistance to most accepted participants.

What We Can Cover

Travel expenses: Unfortunately, we cannot cover travel costs.

Accommodation: We can provide accommodation support for most accepted participants, though coverage is more limited in scope and extent than originally anticipated.

Eligibility & Allocation

Professors with academic appointments: We respectfully ask that you cover your own accommodation expenses from your research budgets, allowing us to prioritize support for those with greater financial need.

All other accepted participants: Eligible to receive accommodation support for 2–3 nights, allocated based on demonstrated financial need.

“Knowing Hands” Symposium participants: 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.

Organizers (ISCSD Board)

Contact Information

Email: info@criticaldivination.org
Contact form: https://criticaldivination.org/contact/

Have questions? Contact the organizers