The CSSM is once again super excited to share our members’ contributions to the upcoming EASST conference, this year in Kraków between the 8th and the 11th of September, 2026.
Find below all of the panels that CSSM members are convening and consider sending a presentation proposal if the topic resonates with you. The Call for Abstracts is open until the 28th of February. Do not doubt to get in touch with any of us if you have questions!
Title: Microbes meet-up: A slime-mould gathering
Panel code: M108
Convenors: Maya Hey (Centre for the Social Study of Microbes, University of Helsinki)
Short abstract: This meet-up is for people interested in the social study of microbes. We especially welcome the new and the microbially curious who seek community and camaraderie in this particular academic niche. We also welcome members of our existing networks to foster cross-pollination and soft support.
Title: Situated microbes: Perspectives from empirical niches for reimagining resilience
Panel code: P079
Convenors: Emilia Laine (University of Helsinki, CSSM), Anna-Katharina Laboissiere (Universitetet i Oslo), Ana Delgado (University of Oslo), Ramona Haegele (University of Helsinki, CSSM), Jose A. Cañada (University of Helsinki, CSSM)
Short abstract: The panel explores the situated and relational character of human-microbial-environment relations for reimagining and developing more resilient natures. We welcome contributions from diverse empirical microbial niches, such as guts, bodies, soils, food production, and aquatic and aerial ecosystems.
Title: Aqueous accessibility: Experimenting with methods for studying aquatic ecosystems
Panel code: MD057
Convenors: Jose A. Cañada (University of Helsinki, CSSM), Jackie Ashkin (Leiden University)
Short abstract: Knowing aquatic ecosystems has usually been the purview of the fields that STS scholars study. How can STS produce knowledge about water with, but also independently from, our colleagues in the aquatic sciences? This session experiments with alternative methods for knowing and thinking with water.
Title: Watery encounters and knowledge-flows
Panel code: P078
Convenors: Heta Tarkkala (University of Helsinki, CSSM), Kari Lancaster (University of Bath)
Short abstract: Water is a substance of knowledge-making, constituting what can be known of our unstable world and relations between technology, science, environments, and society. This panel takes water as a site to rethink our planetary condition in relation to health, climate, environment, and security.