Call for Papers: South China Sea Studies Symposium 2026, Manila (Fully Funded)

The South China Sea Studies Symposium is the academic component of the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea 2026, convened by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Foundation Office Philippines. It brings together scholars from around the world working on South China Sea-related issues.

The Symposium aims to promote rigorous academic exchange while helping bridge the gap between theory and practice, and between academia and policymaking. It will be held on 10 and 11 November 2026 in Manila, Philippines.

Abstract submissions are welcome on themes including, but not limited to:

• Law of the Sea and dispute settlement
• Security and geopolitics
• Lawfare
• Disinformation and cognitive warfare
• Economic security
• Environmental and human security
• History of the South China Sea
• ASEAN, regionalism, and regional security

Selected paper presenters will receive full funding support, which includes:

• Economy-class round-trip airfare to Manila
• Hotel accommodation
• Per diem
• Registration for the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea

Scholars from around the world working on South China Sea-related issues across law, security, policy, economics, environment and history. The submission form invites applicants across academic and professional ranks, recording position and institutional affiliation (for example, Dean of a School of Law, or a researcher at a centre for South China Sea studies).

Applications are made through the official online form, which requires:

• An abstract of 300 to 400 words, uploaded as a file
• A short bio of 250 words or less, in paragraph form
• A high-resolution head shot
• Personal and professional details, including name as it appears on your passport, position, affiliation, country of citizenship, email address, birth date and phone number

Passport-matching names and birth dates are collected because selected presenters receive travel support to Manila.

Submit your abstract through the official submission form at form.jotform.com/261291121259452 (also shared by the organisers as bit.ly/scs-studies2026). The abstract submission deadline is 22 July 2026.

For queries, write to Sophiya Navarro, Program Manager for Security and Foreign Affairs, at sophiya.navarro@kas.de.