OWSD to Host 2026 Conference on Gender, Science, and Displacement at Accademia dei Lincei

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) has announced its upcoming international conference, 'Sustaining Knowledge during Crises: Gender and Displacement in Science,' to be held 22–25 April 2026 at the historic Accademia dei Lincei in Rome.

The four-day gathering will convene researchers, practitioners, and scientists with lived experience of displacement to examine how gender, migration, education, and scientific practice intersect in times of crisis. Designed as both a research forum and advocacy platform, the event will highlight the barriers and opportunities facing displaced women scientists around the world.

Sessions will delve into issues of identity, recognition, mental health, resilience, and the continuity of scientific work under conditions of forced migration. Organizers say the discussions will not only spotlight urgent challenges but will also shape future collaborative outputs and strengthen OWSD’s long-term efforts in inclusive science diplomacy.

Call for Abstracts

OWSD is inviting researchers at all career stages to submit abstracts aligned with the conference themes. Submissions must be made through the official portal, which will remain open until 4 January or until capacity is reached. Selected contributors will also be invited to join a working group focused on advancing research and policy engagement at the nexus of displacement, gender, and science.

Submit the abstracts here.

Travel Support for Refugee Researchers

To ensure broader participation, OWSD will provide a limited number of travel grants for refugee and forcibly displaced researchers whose abstracts are accepted. The support package will include:

• Round-trip travel to Rome
• Accommodation for the duration of the conference
• A lump-sum allowance for daily living costs and related needs (to be confirmed)

Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must self-identify as refugees or forcibly displaced persons and have an abstract approved by the conference’s scientific committee. An Advisory Committee will review submissions in early January, with decisions communicated shortly thereafter.

OWSD encourages all scholars working on or interested in these themes to submit abstracts and contribute to a global dialogue on sustaining scientific knowledge amid crisis.