Fourth Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy

The MPIfG is hosting the Fourth Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy. The event is organized by the doctoral researchers of the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE), a graduate program that synthesizes approaches from economic sociology and political economy. Its research examines the relationship between the modern capitalist economy and its social and political foundations.

Building upon the IMPRS-SPCE’s broad multi- and interdisciplinary program, this two-day conference aims at establishing bridges and finding commonalities among young scholars whose research is addressing the complex linkages between economic, political, and social action. Its objective is to provide opportunities for doctoral researchers at all stages to discuss their work with and to receive constructive feedback from peers across various social science disciplines. To foster interdisciplinary exchanges, we invite doctoral researchers of all genders and nationalities to submit abstracts (maximum word count: 300 words), especially addressing or related to the following topics:

• Sociology and Anthropology of Climate Change; Climate Litigation; Environmental Humanities
• Social Relations under Capitalism; Commodification of Emotions
• Comparative Political Economy of Technological Change; Digitalization; Automotive Industry
• European Imbalances; Macroeconomic Preferences; Perceptions and Ideas
• (Competence Conflicts) in EU Integration; Economic Sociology of Citizenship; Investment Migration
• Capitalism and Infrastructures; Financial Centres and Technologies; Financialization

The conference will be held in person from March 19 to 20, 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne.