Island Studies International Conference 2026

Date: 17-20 June, 2026

Hosted by: Leyte Samar Heritage Center, UP Tacloban College, Leyte Islands, Philippines

Conference theme: Navigating Island Futures: Intersections of Heritage, Transitions and Regenerative Practices

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Call for submissions

Island communities stand at the intersection of deep-rooted heritage and accelerating global change. “Navigating Island Futures: Intersections of Heritage, Transitions, and Regenerative Practice” underscores the need to chart pathways that honor the cultural and ecological uniqueness of islands while responding to contemporary demands for development and resilience. This theme emphasizes the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, where heritage is not seen as static but as a vital resource for envisioning inclusive and sustainable futures.

 

The conference invites scholars, practitioners, and community leaders to engage in critical conversations about how island societies navigate the tensions and opportunities that arise from this intersection. It highlights how local knowledge systems, cultural practices, and historical experiences can inform and enrich efforts toward regenerative development and climate adaptation. In a world of rising seas and shifting economies, island futures must be shaped not by imposed models but by grounded, community-driven strategies that reflect both the past and the possibilities ahead.

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Sub-themes:

1. Reclaiming and Reimagining Island Heritage
   – The role of cultural identity, indigenous knowledge, and heritage sites in shaping future development.

2. Regenerative Livelihoods and Blue Economies in Small Islands
   – Innovations in fisheries, marine-based industries, eco-tourism, and community enterprise for long-term well-being.

3. Climate Adaptation and Island Ecological Stewardship
   – Community-led approaches to environmental conservation, disaster resilience, and living with climate change.

4. Island Innovations and Green Technologies
   – Grassroots solutions, renewable energy, and adaptive infrastructure suited to small island contexts.

5. Education, Youth, and Intergenerational Island Futures
   – Empowering the next generation of islanders through inclusive education and the transmission of cultural knowledge.

6. Island Migration, Mobility, and Identity in Transition
   – The impacts of outmigration, urbanization, and global connectivity on island cultures and communities.

7. Governance, Justice, and Participatory Development on Small Islands
   – Local autonomy, policy-making, and inclusive planning for equitable island futures

 

*** Coming Soon: Information on Registration Fees and Submissions