CFP: Researching Conspiracism and Conspiracy Theories in Central and Eastern Europe: Past Developments, Contemporary Issues, Emerging Trends
In recent years – especially during and in the aftermath of the global pandemic – conspiracy theories have moved decisively from the fringes of society into mainstream public discourse. In the postsocialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where strong authoritarian traditions have historically undermined both individual and collective agency, and where states have often been treated as objects rather than subjects of international relations, conspiracism has a long-standing history as an ideological lens for interpreting (geo)political reality. This legacy, combined with societal polarization and widespread distrust in public institutions, has created fertile ground for conspiratorial thinking. Digital platforms have become central to the production, circulation, and validation of conspiracy theories, which in turn play a key role in reinforcing ideological divides and intensifying affective polarization. In the region, conspiracism frequently intersects not only with populist narratives, ethnic nationalisms, and religious traditionalisms, but also with urban lifestyles, new age spirituality, and online subcultures.
The mainstreaming of conspiracism has accelerated the emergence of a rich, interdisciplinary field of research. As a result, this area of inquiry is undergoing significant reinvention in response to conceptual, epistemological, and methodological challenges – particularly in the context of the digital era and its effects on daily social interactions and broader political dynamics. This conference aims to address these developments by bringing together scholars from across the social sciences and humanities to critically engage with the study of conspiracy theories and, more broadly, conspiracist ideology. We invite submissions grounded in empirical material from CEE – across all countries and historical periods – and welcome diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives. In particular, we encourage contributions that draw on the region’s complex historical experience to advance theoretical and conceptual innovation in the study of conspiracism. We also welcome presentations that explore related phenomena such as pseudoscience, cryptohistory, dis/misinformation, conspirituality, post-truth, and other adjacent topics of inquiry.
We welcome submissions from researchers at all stages of their academic careers, including doctoral candidates, early-career scholars, and established academics. Limited financial assistance will be available to support travel and accommodation costs, with priority given to early-career researchers and those without institutional funding. Please submit an abstract (up to 350 words), a brief narrative biography, and an indication of whether you are applying for financial support by 30 June 2025 to insucg.conferences@gmail.com. All inquiries should be directed to the same address.
Venue: Petrovac, Montenegro
Date: 27–28 September 2025
The conference is organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies (INS), University of Montenegro, as part of the project “Out with the Ancient Hatreds, Now We Have a Common Enemy to Hate”: Conspiracism as a Political Framework for Regional Cooperation among the Far Right in the Yugosphere, supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans.