We are pleased to invite researchers, practitioners, students and those interested in the topic of navigating social crisis to participate in the conference “Solidarity as a Social Response to an Era of Crisis.” The event aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary discussion on the role of solidarity in contemporary societies facing increasing uncertainty and global challenges.

Solidarity has long been an essential element of human survival, particularly in times of crisis. People tend to feel stronger and more resilient when they know they are supported by others. In difficult circumstances, cooperation and mutual assistance allow individuals and communities to face challenges that would otherwise be overwhelming. In this sense, solidarity functions not only as a moral value but also as a practical mechanism through which societies maintain stability and social cohesion.

In the context of ongoing wars and global instability, solidarity becomes especially visible in crowd behaviour during crises and in efforts to combat discrimination against various groups. Armed conflicts and political tensions create humanitarian challenges that affect entire communities and place significant pressure on social systems. During such periods, institutions, social services and educators play a crucial role in providing support and maintaining social order.

Solidarity offers a hopeful perspective in the face of current global challenges. When institutions, professionals, and communities work together, they create networks of care and cooperation that strengthen society as a whole. In this sense, solidarity can be understood not only as a response to crisis but also as a foundation for building more resilient, supportive, and humane societies in the future.

The conference welcomes contributions from various disciplines, including social sciences, psychology, education, social work, and related fields. We invite participants to reflect on the forms, mechanisms, and implications of solidarity in times of crisis, as well as on the role of institutions, professionals, and communities in supporting individuals and societies facing contemporary challenges.

• 09.00-09:15
  Conference opening, welcoming of the guests
  Lab Leader: Małgorzata Kossowska
• 09:15-10:15
  Keynote Speaker 1: Nataša Jokić-Begić
  From Clinical Symptom to Cultural Norm: Beck's Cognitive Triad as a Generational Condition and the Role of Intergenerational Solidarity
• 10:15-10:30
  Coffee break
• 10:30-11:00
  Discussion panel 1: Building Peer Solidarity Through Mediation
  Chair: Małgorzata Michel
• 11:00-11:15
  Coffee break
• 11:15-12:15
  Keynote Speaker 2: John Drury
  Collective Behaviour in Food Crises - Problems and Solutions
• 12:15-13:15
  Lunch (room 0.01)
• 13:15-13:45
  Discussion panel 2: Mitigating Climate Change - Solidarity Above Polarisation
  Chair: Weronika Kałwak
• 13:45-14:00
  Coffee break
• 14:00-15:00
  Keynote Speaker 3: Dominic Abrams
  Social Cohesion: Lessons from the Pandemic and Prospects Beyond
• 15:00-15:15
  Coffee break
• 15:15-15:45
  Short presentations panel: Refugee and Migration Research at the Behaviour in Crisis Lab
  Chair: Zafer Özkan
• 15:45-16:15
• Short presentation: Viktoriya Voytsekhovska
  Rethinking Development Aid in Ukraine: Strategic Pathways Toward Resilient Post-War Recovery
• 16:15-16:30
  Coffee break
• 16:30-16:45
  Short presentation: Hubert Kaszyński
  Caring for the University. Mental Health in Organizations – An Institutional Research Perspective
• 16:45-17:15
• Short presentation: Eva Walther
  The Challenge of Finding Common Ground in Times of Divide
• 17:15-17:45
  Poster session
• 17:45
  Closing remarks and Dinner (room 0.01)

_ _ _

We warmly invite researchers, PhD candidates, and undergraduate students to submit proposals for poster presentations at the 2026 Behaviour in Crisis Lab Annual Conference.

The poster session will provide an engaging platform to present ongoing research, preliminary findings, and applied projects related to the role of solidarity in times of crisis. We particularly encourage early-career scholars to share their work and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue.

🎯 Scope and Topics

We welcome posters addressing solidarity in times of crisis across a wide range of contexts, including but not limited to:

• Community and societal responses to large-scale disruptions
• War, conflict, and displacement: social and psychological perspectives
• Climate and environmental crises and collective responses
• Economic and political crises: inequality, insecurity, and coping strategies
• Health-related crises and their impact on individuals and communities
• Digital and information crises (e.g., misinformation, polarization)
• The role of institutions during crises across different domains
• Youth perspectives on crisis: experiences and challenges among younger generations
• Cross-cultural perspectives on crisis and solidarity

We encourage submissions from diverse disciplines, including (but not limited to) psychology, education, political science, sociology, social work, and related fields.

📥 Submission Guidelines

• Abstract length: max. 2000 characters
• Include: title, author(s), affiliation, and contact email
• Notification of acceptance: 24 May 2026

Please submit your abstract here

All applications will be subject to evaluation. Poster presentations are the only form of active participation in the conference. At the same time, all attendees are warmly invited to take part in the wider program by joining keynote lectures and panel discussions. Please note, that the event will be held in English, and participation - both active and as an audience member - is free of charge.

📄 Poster Session Details

• Maximum poster size: A0 (portrait)
• Abstracts and posters should be prepared in English

🌐 Why Participate?

• Present your work to an international and interdisciplinary audience
• Receive constructive feedback from peers
• Meet and connect with others interested in research on crisis and solidarity