This prestigious interdisciplinary event brings together Europe’s leading voices in science, the arts, and public discourse. It focuses on the urgent challenges of our time and places people's search for meaning and purpose at the center of academic inquiry.

Main Theme and Objectives
The It’s About People: Answering Current Challenges in Society, Health and Technology conference will examine how societies can adapt to cultural transformations, technological innovations, and health disparities, and how education, policy, research, and dialogue can foster ethical, sustainable, and inclusive futures—rooted in resilience and a shared sense of meaning.

A special focus will be placed on:

* The role of public intellectuals in shaping values-based dialogue,

* Connecting academic knowledge with global initiatives for peace, justice, and human dignity,

* Integrating science, culture, and technology in addressing real-world challenges.

Key themes include:

* Cultural transformation and identity in a changing world

* Health system reform and population well-being

* Digital and AI-driven technological change

* Intersections of culture, health, and technology in sustainable development

The conference is open to contributions from all scientific fields, including social and natural sciences, medicine, public health and social gerontology, humanities, ethics and philosophy, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, education, pedagogy and learning innovation, law, governance and policy, psychology and social work, management and project leadership, communication, media and culture, sustainability and environmental studies, peace studies, as well as archival and information sciences.

Submission Deadlines

Abstracts: by 30 November 2025 (up to 200 words + 5 keywords, max. two submissions per participant)

Panel proposals: by 15 November 2025 (title, abstract, proposed speakers/discussants)

Conference Format

13 March 2026: Plenary session in Maribor, Slovenia

14–18 March 2026: Online conference panels

More information & submission: conference.almamater.si
Contact: conference@almamater.si

Key Dates

Call Opens: 10​ September​ 2025

Panel Proposals Deadline: 15​ November​ 2025

Abstract Submission Deadline: 30​ November​ 2025

Notification of Acceptance: 15​ December​ 2025

Provisional Programme Release: 5​ January​ 2026

Full Paper (Optional) Deadline: 1​ February​ 2026

Final Programme Publication: 15​ February​ 2026

Conference Dates: 13​ –​ 18​ March​ 2026