We invite you to submit an abstract to an international conference taking place from 23rd to 25th of September 2026 in Prague, held under the auspices of the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The conference focuses on social sciences and humanities research on ionizing radiation (nuclear energy, radioactive waste management and disposal, medical applications, radiation protection, and preparedness for nuclear or radiation emergencies).
The RICOMET conference is the annual meeting point for SSH communities engaging critically and constructively with issues related to ionising radiation across domains, technologies, and societal contexts.
Nuclear Renaissance in a Changing World
Nuclear and other radiation-related technologies are embedded in rapidly evolving social, political, environmental and technological landscapes. RICOMET 2026 seeks to explore how SSH research can illuminate, question and inform these transformations. The theme includes, but is not limited to, the following developments:
- Growing global attention to nuclear energy, including emerging nuclear technologies and small modular reactors
- The climate crisis and its implications for energy systems, risk governance, and intergenerational responsibilities
- Increasing calls for the efficient use of resources and sustainability in dealing with nuclear development, long-term environmental pollution, contamination and waste legacies
- The economics of nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors and their strategic aspects
- Social processes around radioactive waste management and disposal
- Expanded use of ionizing radiation in health care and the associated ethical, social, organizational, communicational and technological challenges
- Shifting geo-political dynamics and emerging security concerns
- Uncertain futures, technological promises, and public imaginaries of radiation-related innovation.
We welcome contributions from all SSH disciplinary backgrounds, conceptual frameworks and methodological traditions and encourage contributions from early career researchers (ECRs). RICOMET 2026 aims to bring together diverse communities working on topics such as: emergency preparedness, resilience and radiation emergencies, nuclear medicine, radiology and radiotherapy, nuclear energy technologies, economics of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste management, NORM management, stakeholder engagement in nuclear energy, science communication, ethics of nuclear science and technology, radiological risk governance, nuclear policy analysis, and more.
Types of contributions
We welcome empirical, theoretical, methodological, or reflexive contributions.
Abstracts can be submitted for:
- Oral presentation
- Poster presentation
- Other formats (e.g., “making and doing” session, panel discussion, debate, demonstrations, interactive performances, workshop etc.)
Abstract submission guidelines
- Word limit: 250 words
- Content: Abstracts should clearly state the relevance of the research topic, research aim and methodology adopted.
- Author information: Include full author names and affiliations
- Presenting author: Provide contact information (e-mail) for the presenting author
- Format preference: Indicate whether you prefer an oral, poster or other format presentation
Key dates
- Submission deadline: 15 March 2026
- Notification of acceptance: May 2026
More information and the submission form on the conference website.
Contact person: Martin Ďurďovič.
