The Maria Grzegorzewska University (APS) is actively engaged in the co-organisation of one of Europe’s most important academic events – the 17th European Sociological Association (ESA) Conference, which will take place in Warsaw on 25–28 August 2026 under the theme: “Strengthening Democracies: Social Action, Solidarity, and Sustainable Futures.”                                                                                      

The conference will bring together approximately 4,000 scholars from around the world, creating a major platform for international dialogue on the challenges facing contemporary societies, including democratic crises, growing social inequalities, migration, digital transformation, and the role of the social sciences in shaping more just and inclusive futures.

The team of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at APS:

dr hab. Beata Nessel-Łukasik

dr hab. Danuta Duch-Krzystoszek,

dr hab. Ilona Matysiak. 

dr Dagmara Szczepańska

dr Cecilia Maria Zsögön

dr Mateusz Bieńkowski

dr Justyna Zielińska

dr Jowita Bartczak

dr Tatiana Kanasz 

mgr Monika Chróścicka-Wnętrzak

is providing organisational support for this ambitious undertaking. Conference sessions will be hosted across several Warsaw universities, primarily at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) and the University of Warsaw.                                                                                         

Professor Anna Odrowąż-Coates, Chair of ESA Research Network RN10 – Sociology of Education, plays an important role in the preparation of the RN10 conference sessions. In this capacity, she is responsible for coordinating the allocation of approximately 150 accepted presentations into thematic panels within the network.                                                                                                                                                                         

The RN10 programme focuses on the theme: “Education, Inequality, and Social Action for Sustainable and Democratic Futures,” addressing topics such as educational inequalities, intercultural and refugee education, neurodiversity, evaluation and accountability in education systems, dialogic learning, violence prevention, and the role of global institutions such as UNESCO and the United Nations.

ESA 2026 offers a critical reflection on the condition of contemporary democracies in the context of global crises, rapid technological transformations, and intensifying social tensions. The programme highlights the importance of knowledge, social dialogue, and civic engagement in building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies.                                                                                                                                            

APS’s involvement in organising this prestigious event confirms the university’s strong position within the international social sciences community and its ongoing commitment to advancing research on education, inclusion, and social justice.