ASA Theory Section

The 20th Junior Theorists Symposium (JTS) is now open for submissions. The JTS is a conference featuring the work of emerging sociologists engaged in theoretical work, broadly defined. Sponsored in part by the Theory Section of the ASA, the conference has provided a platform for the work of early-career sociologists since 2005. We especially welcome submissions that broaden the practice of theory beyond its traditional themes, topics, and disciplinary function. We invite submissions from all substantive areas of sociology, and encourage papers that are works-in-progress and would benefit from the discussions at JTS.

The symposium will be held as an in-person event on Friday, August 7 prior to the 2026 ASA Annual Meeting in New York City.

We invite all ABD graduate students, recent PhDs, postdocs, and assistant professors who received their PhDs from 2022 onwards to submit up to a three-page précis (800–1000 words).

The précis should:

• Include the key theoretical contribution of the paper and a general outline of the argument
• Not be based on a paper under review or forthcoming at a journal
• Have all identifying information removed

Successful précis from last year’s symposium can be viewed here.

As in previous years, there is no pre-specified theme for the conference. Papers will be grouped into sessions based on emergent themes and discussants’ areas of interest and expertise.

This year’s discussants are:

• Ashley Mears (University of Amsterdam)
• Josh Pacewicz (Brown University)
• Ali Meghji (University of Cambridge)

Yuchen Yang (University of Birmingham), winner of the 2025 Junior Theorist Award, will deliver a keynote address.

Finally, the symposium will conclude with an after-panel titled “Data as Theory, Theory as Data” featuring contributions from Allison Pugh (John Hopkins University), Tukufu Zuberi (University of Pennsylvania), Theresa Rocha Beardall (University of Washington), and Ian Kennedy (University of Illinois Chicago).

This year’s symposium is organized by Selen Güler (CUNY Graduate Center) and Tania Aparicio (Teachers College, Columbia University). You can contact them at juniortheorists@gmail.com with any questions.

If you have any issues uploading your document, please send a copy of your précis with all identifying information removed to juniortheorists@gmail.com. Please include your name and affiliation (University and Department) in the body of the email.

By early April, JTS organizers will extend 9 invitations to present at JTS 2026, with each presenter matched to one of our 3 discussants. Please plan to share a full paper by July 10, 2026.