International Political Science Association

 

Research Committee 15 – Political and Cultural Geography

Research Committee 41 – Geopolitics

 

 

Eight International Workshop on

 

Beyond Borders: Emerging Concepts, Theories, and Methods in Political Geography and Geopolitics

9 – 11 October 2026

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Science, Croatia

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

Deadline – March 15th, 2026.

 

The IPSA joint RC15 and RC41 Eight International Workshop in Zagreb, Croatia, titled Beyond Borders: Emerging Concepts, Theories, and Methods in Political Geography and Geopolitics is organized by the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb. Following the previous workshops in Moscow (2010), Jerusalem (2013), Austin (2019), Yerevan (2021), Moscow (2022), Belgrade (2023), and Budapest (2024); Zagreb Workshop will continue the traditional framework, limiting the participation to a smaller group of scholars to discuss contemporary theoretical and empirical puzzles of geopolitics and political geography. The two-day workshop is designated to bring together up to twenty leading scholars on political geography and geopolitics to discuss the theoretical, methodological, and empirical development of the discipline.

The Zagreb Workshop will be conducted in an open discussion format, with scholarly presentations divided into four to five panel sessions, with 3-5 panelists for each session. The presentation (10-15 minutes) will be followed by a brief set of oral comments by the designated discussant, after which the floor will be open to questions and comments from the audience (45 to 60 minutes). The workshop will be organized around short paper presentations, interactive panels, and collaborative group discussions. Participants will be encouraged to share their ongoing research and methodological experiments, fostering an environment of cross-disciplinary exchange and innovation.

The list of the workshop topics includes (but are not limited to):

  • The role of theoretical frameworks and conceptual debates in political geography and geopolitics
  • Innovations in methodological design
  • Mapping, visual storytelling, and critical interpretation of geopolitical information
  • Cross-disciplinary linkages in the study of political geography and geopolitics
  • Use of geospatial surveys and interview-based research in geopolitical analysis
  • Spatial modeling, quantitative methods, and digital tools (GIS, wargaming, simulation software) for political geography and geopolitics
  • Applying theoretical insights to real-world case studies in political geography and geopolitics
  • Geoeconomics and Geopolitics

 

Keynote Discussion and Roundtable:

Cross-disciplinary linkages in the study of political geography and geopolitics

Professor Vlatko Cvrtila

VERN’ University

 

Applying for the Workshop

Unlike other international conferences, the Workshop framework is designed to limit participation to a smaller and rather selected group of invitees, each bringing to bear his or her disciplinary expertise or area studies specialization. Anyone wishing to participate in the 2026 RC-15 and RC-41 Zagreb Workshop is invited to submit an initial abstract. The abstract (between 300 and 500 words) should be sent to Marta Zorko at marta.zorko@fpzg.hr and to Nuno Morgado nuno.morgado@uni-corvinus.hu. Abstracts will not be accepted after March 15th, 2026. Notice of Acceptance will be sent to the participants by April 15th, 2026. Prior to the workshop the submission of full papers (draft version) will be requested from all participants. The deadline for full paper submission is June 15th, 2026.

No Registration fee for the Workshop is required.

Acceptance is conditioned, however, upon the participant’s commitment to full, active attendance at all panel sessions and discussions throughout the three days of the Workshop, in addition to one paper presentation and full paper submission.

Participants in the 2026 Zagreb Workshop are expected to cover all personal transportation arrangements, accommodation, and expenses. Limited IPSA conference travel grants may be available upon special request to help defray partial air fare costs for junior scholars or in other exceptional cases.

 

PUBLICATION

All papers presented at the Workshop will be submitted to a special issue of Politicka misao / Croatian Political Science Review (SJR 2024 = Q2, IF = 0,142, open access) under standard double-blind peer-review process.

 

TIMELINE

December 15th, 2025           – Announcement & Call for Papers

March 15th, 2026                    – Deadline for Submission of Abstracts

April 15th, 2026                       – Notice of Acceptance

July 15th, 2026                         – Full Paper Submission

September 30th, 2026        – Final Program

October 9th to 11th, 2026   = Workshop in Zagreb – Welcome!