26th Conference of the Utopian Studies Society / Europe

The Pasts and Futures of Utopia

University of Bucharest, Romania

1-4 July 2026

Organisers: USS/E, University of Bucharest (Faculty of Sociology and Social Work), Academia Europaea Bucharest Hub, Writers’ Union of Romania, Bucharest City Museum

Main Venue: Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Bd. Schitu Măgureanu 9, Bucharest, Romania

For over two centuries, scholars have been debating the end of history (from Kant and Hegel to Kojève and Fukuyama) and, more recently, the end of utopia (at least since Marcuse). Some have also declared the inevitability of dystopia, and the lack of distinction between utopia and dystopia. Around sixty years ago, when most traditional ideologies (and their associated teleologies) were challenged, the future itself was called into question, inspiring heated debates about alternative futures, possible futures, futuribles, or counterfactual pasts and presents, including some in which (ir)responsible humans (more recently, post-humans and non-humans) were to play a demiurgic role.

One may wonder: are the categories of history, utopia, dystopia, ideology, future, and the end still valid and/or useful? Has utopia been reduced to one form (and tense)—future in the past? Do we live, as some claim, in post-history or in a post-utopia? Could we think of history, with Koselleck, as future past? What about futures that were envisioned, even tried out (with various results)? Are they buried for good, or do they have a future? Do we have “real,” full, meaningful lives or mere (mainly digital) afterlives? In Dracula’s country, this is not a trivial question. Above all, should we be interested to inquire whether we still have a future at all, and, if so, is it apocalyptic, or post-human?

To address these, and other, haunting questions, the organisers of the Bucharest USS/E Conference will welcome scholars of all disciplines, as well as artists, activists, members of associations and intentional communities, visionaries and dreamers.

In the spirit of inclusivity and interdisciplinarity, guided by the belief that genuinely utopian debates benefit from a variety of perspectives, we will be hosting roundtables with scholars, writers, artists, media personalities, utopian activists; panels on recently published books and scholarly trends in the discipline; and a postgraduate segment where the youngest scholars may find professional advice, inspiration, and establish contacts in the field.

Organising Committee: Sorin Antohi, Liviu Chelcea, Gabriel Jderu, Călin Cotoi, Adrian Majuru, Augustin Cupșa, Daniel Cățoi.

Scientific Committee: Gregory Claeys, Vita Fortunati, Zsolt Czigányik, Justyna Galant, Fátima Vieira, Barnita Bagchi, Anna Bugajska, Ludmiła Gruszewska-Blaim, Susanna Layh, Corin Braga, Juan Pro, Davina Cooper, Mathias Taler, Anne Kwaschik.

Our confirmed keynote speakers will be Fátima Vieira and Varujan Vosganian.

Apart from the academic programme, we look forward to a social agenda, and, for those interested, a day trip to the mountain castles of Bran (of Dracula fame) and Sinaia (a cradle of Romania’s royal family), with a possible detour to the location of one of the world’s first phalansteries (1835-1836).

Please note that the conference starts early on 1 July and that on 4 July there is a day trip.

We welcome abstracts related to:

  • understanding utopia, ideology, and history
  • literary, social, and political utopia in their historical contexts
  • history of the present, predicted/imagined futures as utopias/dystopias
  • communism, nationalism, and related dictatorships in fiction, blueprints, and reality
  • distortions and falsifications of history (from uchronia to propaganda)
  • utopian/dystopian visions of education, academia, science, arts, technology, religion. magic
  • (as a tribute to Romania) Gothic literature, vampires, immortal (or undead) characters…

Papers on any other aspect of utopias and utopianism are also welcome.

  • For individual 20-min. papers, please send an abstract of max. 300 words in a Word document, along with:
  • your name and institutional affiliation
  • email address
  • title of paper (preferably one that indicates the subject of your presentation) and 3 keywords
  • a statement as to whether or not you are willing to chair a session other than your own
  • a statement whether you will require a formal letter confirming your participation in the conference
  • For Panel / Workshop Sessions the Coordinator should send a Word document including:
  • title and abstract (max. 400 words) for the session
  • the names, affiliations and email addresses of all the participants

The language of the conference will be English, but papers in other languages may be accepted if grouped together into a separate session.

Please send submissions to usse2026bucharest@gmail.com headed: USS 2026 abstract: Your Name

The deadline for abstracts is 1 February 2026 extended until 20 Feb (confirmation of acceptance by 15 March 2026).

The conference fee is 160 EUR (until 1May 2026), and 195 EUR (after 1May 2026).

For young scholars up to five years after PhD, 120 EUR (first deadline), 160 EUR (second).

For online access, 50 EUR.

The above fees include the USS/E membership fee of 20 EUR, which entitles you to the annual membership in the Society, is separate from the Conference fee and is the Society’s only source of funding travel grants for utopian scholars and covering the costs of current expenses (such as bank account, USS/E website). It is not possible to participate in a USS/E Conference without paying the Society Fee. Members of the USS/E accept the regulations of the society (https://utopian-studies-europe.org/constitution-and-regulation/) and particularly our ECR/EDI statement (https://utopian-studies-europe.org/ecr-edi-statement/).

Please address all queries to usse2026bucharest@gmail.com Further conference details at https://usse2026Bucharest.wordpress.com