Society for Philosophy of Science in Practice (SPSP) Eleventh Biennial Conference

Call for Papers

Dates

15–17 July 2026 (plus post-conference workshop on 18 July)

Venue

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

On-line submission site for paper or session proposals

URL: https://spsp2026.philosophy-science-practice.org/openconf

Abstract submission deadline: 1 December 2025

Notification of acceptance: 15 February 2026

Main Contact: Justin B. Biddle

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SPSP is an interdisciplinary community of scholars who approach the philosophy of science with a focus on scientific practice and the practical uses of scientific knowledge. For further details on our objectives, see our mission statement: https://www.philosophy-science-practice.org/mission-statement .

The SPSP conferences provide a broad forum for scholars committed to making detailed and systematic studies of scientific practices — neither dismissing concerns about truth and rationality, nor ignoring contextual and pragmatic factors. The conferences aim at cutting through traditional disciplinary barriers and developing novel approaches. We welcome contributions from not only philosophers of science, but also philosophers working in epistemology and ethics, as well as the philosophy of engineering, technology, medicine, agriculture, and other practical fields. Additionally, we welcome contributions from historians and sociologists of science, pure and applied scientists, and any others with an interest in philosophical questions regarding scientific practice.

SPSP welcomes proposals for individual papers, and strongly encourage proposals for whole, thematic sessions with coordinated papers, particularly those which include multiple disciplinary perspectives and/or input from scientific practitioners. You may wish to involve other members of SPSP (a listing is available on our website) or post a notice to the SPSP mailing list describing your area of interest and seeking other possible participants for a session proposal. (To post to this list or to receive updates on the conference, please subscribe via https://www.philosophy-science-practice.org/mailing-list ).

• Individual paper proposals must include a title and an abstract of 500 words, and full affiliation details and contact information for the author(s)/speaker(s).
• Session/symposia proposals must include an overall title for the session, a 250-500 word abstract of the session, and the title and a 500-word abstract for each paper (or an equivalent amount of depth and detail, if the format of the proposed session is a less traditional one), and full affiliation details and contact information for each contributor. Session proposals should be submitted as a group by the organizer of the session; typically, 3 standard length or 4 shorter papers can be accommodated within our usual session formats.
• We also welcome less traditional formats, including panel discussions and author-meet-critics sessions, as long as they explicitly target a broad issue or specific idea as the core of the discussion (rather than ad hominem arguments), are firmly committed to collegial and non-adversarial exchange, and explain why that issue or idea is relevant to SPSP interests.

Individuals should only appear on the program once as presenters, and at most one additional time as commentator or co-author. In case of co-authored papers, please specify in the “Optional Comments” section of the submission form who will serve as presenter(s). If in doubt, please contact the organizers in advance about your anticipated submissions.

Call for Posters

There is an option to submit an abstract for a poster, either instead of a paper or on a different topic.

However, the same person will not be allowed to present both a paper and a poster. Accordingly, for those submitting both paper/symposium and poster abstracts the following rules apply:

1. if the paper/symposium is accepted, the poster will be rejected, and
2. if the paper/symposium is rejected, the Organising Committee will then consider the poster abstract and make a decision.

See the Call for Posters here (deadline: 15 December 2025).