Meet another keynote speaker of the Behaviour in Crisis Lab 2026 Annual Conference – Solidarity as a Social Response to an Era of Crisis. Our guest will be Professor Dominic Abrams from the University of Kent, a distinguished social psychologist specialising in social cohesion, social identity, and intergroup relations.

Professor Abrams’ research focuses on the mechanisms that shape social cohesion and its significance for how societies function under conditions of strain and crisis. His work examines, among other issues, the role of cohesion in prosocial behaviour, prejudice, and civic engagement, integrating psychological perspectives with research on public policy and societal resilience.

At the Behaviour in Crisis Lab 2026 Conference, Professor Abrams will deliver a keynote lecture entitled “Social Cohesion: Lessons from the Pandemic and Prospects Beyond”, presenting findings from a longitudinal survey project conducted in the United Kingdom during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The lecture will identify the key components of social cohesion and analyse their relevance for how individuals and groups respond in times of crisis.

Particular attention will be paid to how cohesion operates across different levels of social life, and to the implications of these variations for both individual and societal resilience. Professor Abrams’ research offers important insights into how more cohesive, resilient, and solidaristic communities can be fostered in the face of contemporary challenges.

Abstract
Social cohesion is a complex phenomenon but appears increasingly important as a facet of societal resilience. Drawing on a longitudinal survey project in the UK, conducted across the COVID-19 pandemic and reviews and analyses of related data I explore the fundamental elements of cohesion, its implications for prosocial behaviour, prejudice and engagement in social activism. I examine how cohesion can operate at different societal levels and consider the implications of these differences for how people may respond during times of strain or crisis.

Key Questions

• What are the different elements of social cohesion?
• What are the implications of social cohesion for individual and societal resilience?

👉 Professor Dominic Abrams, Professor of Social Psychology - School of Psychology - University of Kent