Topic Streams at Social Capital 2026
Thematic streams at Social Capital 2026 provide structure and focus to the conference, helping to organise the program around key areas of interest within the broad and interdisciplinary field of social capital. They allow for deeper exploration of specific themes, foster meaningful dialogue, and create opportunities for connection and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with shared interests.
While these streams help guide the content and ensure a rich and coherent experience for participants, we warmly welcome all submissions that contribute to advancing understanding or application of social capital, regardless of their alignment with a specific stream.
We are currently seeking sponsors for the thematic streams at Social Capital 2026. Stream sponsorship is a valuable opportunity to showcase your organisation’s commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in key areas of social capital. By sponsoring a stream, you’ll gain visibility among a global audience of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, and be recognised as a supporter of collaboration, innovation, and community-building. Each stream offers a platform for focused engagement, making this an ideal way to align your organisation with leading-edge conversations in your area of interest.
Social Capital as a Foundation for Health, Wellbeing, and Human Flourishing
Chair: Dr. Mara Sintejudeanu, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
Focus: Explores how social capital influences health outcomes, wellbeing, and quality of life. This theme addresses the role of trust, networks, and collective care in shaping physical and mental health, healthcare access, and broader determinants of flourishing.
This stream critically explores the multifaceted role of social capital in shaping health outcomes, with a particular focus on how different forms such as bonding, bridging, and linking social capital, affect access to healthcare, influence individual and collective health behaviours, and interact with broader determinants of human flourishing. The stream will examine how trust, civic engagement, and supportive social networks improve the utilization and quality of healthcare services and foster health-promoting behaviours through shared norms and collective efficacy. Furthermore, the discussion will highlight how communities rich in social capital tend to exhibit stronger social cohesion, greater economic stability, and enhanced resilience in the face of social and environmental stressors.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
- Trust as a social determinant of health: How does interpersonal and institutional trust affect healthcare utilization, healthcare behaviours and treatment adherence?
- Social networks and health resilience: How do social relationships influence physical and mental health, and community resilience and wellbeing?
- Collective care and community health practices: How can communities leverage collective care practices to promote health equity, foster mutual support, and contribute to conditions that enable human flourishing?
- Social capital and healthcare access: How do bonding, bridging, and linking forms of social capital influence access to healthcare and shape health outcomes, particularly for marginalized populations?
- Wellbeing, belonging, and quality of life: What is the relationship between social inclusion, civic participation, and perceptions of flourishing and life satisfaction across diverse populations?
- Social capital in policy and system design: How can public health systems measure and integrate social capital to enhance population wellbeing and create environments that support human flourishing?
Governance, Democracy, and Institutional Trust
Chair: Dr Chiara Pierobon, University of Washington
This stream examines the interplay between social capital and political life, focusing on civic engagement, democratic participation, and institutional legitimacy. It considers how social capital can both strengthen and challenge systems of governance and public accountability.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
- How does social capital influence civic engagement and democratic participation in distinct political and cultural contexts, and what factors moderate these effects?
- How does interpersonal and institutional trust separately and jointly shape citizens’ perceptions of political legitimacy, governmental effectiveness, and responsiveness?
- How do changes in social capital correlate with the emergence and persistence of populist, radical, or extremist political movements, and what mechanisms underpin this relationship?
- Under what conditions can rebuilding social capital effectively mitigate democratic backsliding, polarization, and erosion of institutional legitimacy?
- What strategies enable political institutions to actively foster or sustain social capital, and to what extent do these strategies depend on pre-existing civic infrastructure or networks?
- What role do civil society organizations, private sector entities, and educational institutions play in cultivating social capital conducive to democratic resilience?
- In what ways do bonding, bridging, and linking social capital specifically facilitate or hinder political inclusion and representation, particularly among marginalized or underrepresented communities?
- How have digital technologies and social media influenced the development, erosion, or transformation of social capital, and what implications does this have for governance and democracy?
Theory and Measurement of Social Capital
Chair: Tristan Claridge, Visiting Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt University
This stream explores foundational and emerging questions about the theory and measurement of social capital. It invites contributions that critically examine how social capital is conceptualised, how it is understood to function, and how it can be measured across diverse contexts. The stream encourages work that identifies trends, patterns, and divergences in the literature; clarifies underlying assumptions and logical constructs; and interrogates uncertainties and limitations in both theory and practice. Submissions may address theoretical coherence, conceptual innovation, functional mechanisms, links to outcomes, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of dominant measurement approaches. Particular attention is invited to the influence of cultural, political, and contextual factors on how social capital is defined, measured, and interpreted — and how theory and measurement can be better aligned to support robust research, policy relevance, and conceptual clarity across disciplines.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
- What trends, patterns, and divergences can be observed in how social capital is conceptualised and theorised across disciplines and contexts? What logics and assumptions underlie these variations?
- What are the key uncertainties and unresolved questions about what social capital is, how it functions, and what it does? How do these affect its use in research, practice, and policy?
- How does social capital relate to outcomes — such as health, education, economic performance, or democratic participation — and what mechanisms are proposed or assumed to underlie these relationships?
- How can social capital be intentionally built, maintained, or leveraged, and what conceptual or theoretical frameworks guide such efforts?
- What are the strengths and limitations of dominant approaches to measuring social capital — including proxies, self-report surveys, network metrics, and qualitative methods — and how do these influence interpretation and comparability?
- How do cultural, political, and contextual factors shape the meaning, relevance, and measurability of social capital, and what implications does this have for international and cross-cultural research?
- How can theoretical models and measurement practices be better aligned to advance conceptual clarity, methodological rigour, and coherence across disciplinary and applied fields?
Community Resilience, Preparedness, and Disaster Recovery
Chair: Dr Jeff Donaldson, Adjunct Professor, Royal Roads University
This stream explores how communities leverage social capital to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. This theme explores the role of social capital in navigating disruption, building resilience, and facilitating long-term recovery.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Social Capital as a Catalyst for Community Resilience and Recovery
Explore how community bonds can transform disaster recovery. Discover how trust, networks, and social support accelerate rebuilding and foster mental health resilience. Present groundbreaking research and case studies showcasing how social capital drives long-term recovery, from restoring infrastructure to healing trauma. Share insights on how communities leverage relationships to overcome adversity or present innovative frameworks for psychosocial recovery. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to strengthen community resilience, learning from global examples of social capital in action. Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, or policymaker, your voice is crucial to shaping stronger, more connected communities.Leveraging Social Networks for Disaster Preparedness and Response
Can social networks help us recover from disasters? Explore how formal and informal networks—neighbourhood groups, NGOs, and cross-community collaborations—improve preparedness and crisis response. This theme invites proposals that explore how bonding and bridging social capital improve communication, resource sharing, and coordinated action. Share your research on effective network-building or present real-world examples of communities uniting for rapid response. Attendees will gain insights into strengthening local and regional networks, inspired by innovative disaster management practices. Community leaders, academics, and emergency planners, your perspectives can influence crisis preparedness and response.Social Capital in Addressing Disaster Inequities and Climate Adaptation
Why do certain communities suffer more during disasters? How can social capital reduce these disparities? This theme explores social capital’s role in mitigating inequalities for marginalized groups and fostering adaptive capacity against climate disasters like floods and wildfires. We invite compelling proposals for empowering low-income, minority, or displaced populations and innovative climate resilience approaches. Share your research or practical solutions for equitable outcomes through community networks. This theme offers insights into inclusive disaster policies and adaptive strategies for vulnerable regions, connecting attendees with global leaders in equity and resilience. Contributions from researchers, advocates, and practitioners can drive positive change.Digital and Cultural Dimensions of Social Capital in Disaster Management
This theme explores how digital platforms and cultural traditions shape disaster resilience. It examines how online communities, social media, and cultural norms amplify social capital during crises, including crowdfunding and culturally informed preparedness. We invite proposals that outline how digital tools can enhance resilience, and insights into how cultural values influence disaster response globally. Attendees will gain access to innovative digital strategies and cross-cultural perspectives, facilitating connections with experts in technology and anthropology. Your contributions are valuable, regardless of your field.Public-Private Partnerships for Social Capital and Disaster Risk Reduction
Can partnerships between governments, businesses, and communities enhance disaster resilience? This theme explores how public-private collaborations build social capital to reduce disaster risks through innovative financing, infrastructure, and policy. We welcome proposals showcasing successful partnerships or novel frameworks that strengthen community networks for risk reduction. Share your research or practical models demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration drives resilience in various domains, such as urban planning and emergency funding. Gain insights into scalable solutions and connect with leaders in policy, business, and community development. Your expertise is crucial in shaping the future of disaster risk reduction.
Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Change
Chair: Dr Esther Carmen, The James Hutton Institute
Focuses on the role of social capital in advancing environmental sustainability, climate action, and ecological resilience. It considers how collective action, trust, and community engagement contribute to transformative environmental solutions.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.
Economics
Chair: TBD
This stream explores the intersections between social capital and economic outcomes at individual, organisational, and societal levels. It welcomes research and debate on how social capital influences productivity, market efficiency, innovation, and economic development, as well as how economic structures and policies shape the formation and distribution of social capital. Contributions may draw on empirical evidence, theoretical models, or applied case studies to examine topics such as trust in markets, transaction costs, collective action, labour market dynamics, and the economic value of networks. The stream aims to foster dialogue between economists, sociologists, policymakers, and practitioners on integrating social capital into economic analysis and decision-making.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.
Entrepreneurship
Chair: TBD
This stream examines the role of social capital in fostering entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and business growth. It invites contributions that explore how networks, trust, and shared norms shape the creation and scaling of enterprises, from start-ups to established ventures. Discussions will consider how social capital influences access to resources, markets, and knowledge, as well as how it interacts with other forms of capital in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Empirical, theoretical, and practice-based perspectives are welcome, with particular interest in how social capital can support inclusive, sustainable, and resilient forms of entrepreneurship.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.
Paths, Barriers, and Bridges: Social Capital and Mobility
Chair: TBD
This stream explores how social capital shapes the opportunities and constraints that influence social and economic mobility. It examines the networks, relationships, and trust that can act as bridges to new opportunities or, conversely, reinforce barriers and exclusion. Contributions are invited that investigate how social capital operates across different contexts—whether enabling upward mobility, perpetuating inequalities, or producing mixed outcomes—through empirical research, theoretical development, or applied case studies. The stream encourages dialogue between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers on strategies to build inclusive pathways and dismantle structural obstacles to mobility.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.
Social Capital in the Age of AI
Chair: Julia Freeland Fisher, Clayton Christensen Institute
For decades, technology has transformed how people build relationships, share information, and grow influence. In some respects, it has expanded access to social capital by breaking the limits of time, space, and bandwidth. In others, it has fractured networks, deepening segregation and polarization.
Now generative AI introduces a new wave of capabilities that could again reshape social capital. Like earlier communication tools and social media, AI may amplify both the benefits and harms of connectivity. But it also presents something more disruptive: conversational agents that provide personalized, on‑demand resources through natural language—potentially making human‑to‑human interaction less necessary, and perhaps less common.
This stream will explore research at the intersection of technology and social capital, with a focus on how AI could intensify existing trends or usher in new paradigms for how—and whether—social capital is built and mobilized.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
- What are the technological designs, business models, and policies that make AI platforms supportive environments for developing social capital? What are the second order effects of these approaches on building more diverse or divergent networks and what are promising measures to track these trends over time?
- How is AI impacting “traditional” use of social media–either by amplifying existing norms and behaviors or creating new ones?
- How are AI tools providing resources that historically resided in human networks–such as emotional support, personalized advice, and contextualized information–in ways that make social capital less relevant today?
- How are AI tools shaping individuals’ trust in and reliance on one another and the technology itself?
- What are the measurable impacts that AI companionship has on individuals’ social capital mindsets, skills, and behaviors? In what circumstances are AI companions replacing versus augmenting traditional human forms of social capital?
- What are the most promising methods for using AI to track, measure, and develop social capital?
Education, Learning, and Knowledge Systems
Chair: Dr Sarah McDonald, University of South Australia
This stream examines the formation, transmission, and activation of social capital through formal and informal learning, peer relationships, and school-community networks.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.
Mobility, Migration, and Transnational Solidarity
Chair: Dr Chiara Pierobon, University of Washington
This stream addresses how migrants and mobile populations build and access social capital across borders. This theme explores diasporic ties, integration, exclusion, and the role of transnational networks in advocacy, belonging, and support.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
- How do migrants develop and sustain social capital across national borders, and how does this shape their political participation, economic opportunities, and social integration in both host and origin contexts?
- What specific roles do transnational networks and diasporic connections play in mobilizing political advocacy, solidarity movements, and advancing migrant rights?
- How do governance policies and institutional practices in host societies facilitate or restrict the formation and use of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital among migrants and diasporic communities?
- How do diasporic communities foster democratic engagement and political accountability in both their host and origin countries? What factors enhance or limit their effectiveness?
- How does the availability and nature of social capital affect processes of social inclusion, exclusion, and identity negotiation among migrants and mobile populations, particularly in multicultural and multiethnic settings?
- How have digital media and online communication reshaped transnational solidarity, social capital formation, and political activism among migrant and diasporic communities?
- What role do civil society organizations, NGOs, and grassroots groups play in facilitating or enhancing transnational solidarity and the formation of effective social capital among migrant populations?
Agriculture, Rural, and Community Development
Chair: Dr Marcelo Siles, Michigan State University
This stream considers the significance of social capital in rural livelihoods, agricultural systems, and community renewal. It focuses on cooperation, trust, and local institutions in fostering rural resilience, innovation, and sustainable development.
Subthemes / Focal Questions:
Further details will be added soon.