Dear members of the ISIE section for socio-economic metabolism (SEM),
We are reaching out to you to today with a call for applications to host the 2028 ISIE-SEM conference. We would like to announce the 2028 conference organisers and location during the closing ceremony of the Cambridge ISIE-SEM conference in July 2026.
The ISIE-SEM conference series is a well-established conference format in sustainability science. It brings together scholars and practitioners who work on material cycles and their wider links to environment and society. Alongside the ISIE-SEM conference there is regularly a summer school taking place just before or after the main conference, and focusing on specific skills that are relevant to this field of research.
We are very happy to open a call for expressions of interest to host the 2028 ISIE-SEM conference.
The core duties of the host include:
- Development of the conference program, including parallel sessions, poster sessions, keynotes, and social events, among other activities.
- Typical logistics around the conference venue, amenities, communications before and during the conference.
- Formation and leadership of an international scientific committee.
- Setup and updates of the conference website and registration system.
- Handling of abstract submissions, including managing the review by the scientific committee.
- Management and support of the attendants, such as issuing visa application letters and/or certificates of attendance, where needed.
Our section continues to grow, and now has over 500 members. It is possible to host this meeting jointly with related conferences, e.g., on natural resource management or circular economy applications, and with other ISIE sections. The choice of conference size requires consideration of the intended scope and potential co-hosting arrangements, and importantly the location and logistical capabilities of the host institution. We encourage potential hosts to be as inclusive as possible and plan for a conference with a large number of participants.
Your application/expression of interest should state some details regarding:
- Envisioned conference chair(s), the host institution(s)
- Suggested venue/location (including a list of amenities, accessibility and lodging)
- Preferred date slots
- Proposed theme of the conference
- Environmental criteria/impacts
- Potential sponsorships
- Potential co-organising with other societies/conferences
- Potential for facilitating a summer school alongside the conference. This can be (and has often been) organised by section members outside of the host institute.
Please submit your application/expression of interest by email to the SEM Section Board, by Friday 12 December 2025: metabolism@is4ie.org
We will then screen and discuss all incoming applications.
By sending your application/expression of interest, no formal commitment is entered.
Further information is available with the Section Board: Section: metabolism@is4ie.org
Best regards,
The ISIE-SEM Section Board
