Annual Conference

The 2026 Annual theme, Empowered Sociologists: Agency and Action towards Social Change, is a call to action for empowered thought leaders who have the agency to uphold the ethical mission of the Southern Sociological Society. Sociologists are well-positioned to lead through times of rapid social change with our collective action. In a time where many feel disempowered, the call serves to remind us of the strength of sociology and of sociologists. It is also a reminder of the Society’s mission to apply our sociological knowledge to societal problems, and hopefully help solve them.

Our social reality is shaped by continuous change and shifts in power. Historically, we have been fraught with the struggle for power and control on socio-political levels in organizations and workplaces, within communities, and interpersonally managing tensions between us/them, haves/have-nots, and outsider/insiders. In recent years, we have experienced dramatic changes in higher education with the institutionalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI), staffing shortages, organizational reorganization, and loss of funding. Employment patterns have shifted as older workers delay retirement, the gig economy is growing exponentially, and secure jobs and employee benefits become more elusive. Health disparities are widening while healthcare access is shrinking as community-based resources lose traction in markets and trade. Power shifts have altered the social organization of politics, transportation, the physical environment, economy, immigration, family structures, identities, crime, technology, medicine, and so much more.

Sociologists are on the frontlines of these rapidly changing social forces that shape our everyday lives. Our theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, and practical knowledge is necessary for a more precise understanding of the human condition and societal problems, more informed policy and practice, and a stricter upholding of the ethical standards of social science. Sociology is a powerful resource for making sense of rapid social change as we analyze history, inform the present, and envision the future. Sociologists have the knowledge and tools to make the invisible, visible, to acknowledge those who have “been disappeared” or erased from history, to support organizing, and to disrupt. Sociologists are vital thought leaders in the classroom, in their communities, and in society. We are a formidable force as a discipline and agents of influence and action.

The 89th Annual Meeting of the Southern Sociological Society calls sociologists to empower each other to deepen critical thinking, engaged research, effective mentoring, enriched pedagogy, viable interventions and action plans across multi-layered social dimensions as we navigate an interconnected and interdependent global world. The 2026 Annual Conference welcomes and values your research, perspective, and pedagogy that empowers you to shape the future of sociology.

Call for Papers

Each year, the SSS President selects a theme to orient programming. The Call for Papers centered around that theme is released in early fall. This year’s deadline for submissions of paper presentations, poster presentations, full sessions, roundtables, and special sessions (e.g., Author Meets Curious Readers, workshops, etc.) is November 7th. Submitters will be notified whether their submission has been accepted by January 15th.

Interested in organizing a session? The Call for Papers includes an opportunity to organize a Session Seeking Papers around a topic of your choosing. These Sessions Seeking Papers will be sent out to the SSS community to solicit submissions in weekly digests during the fall.

Hotel Information

Book your room at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront using this link. Web-based reservations are preferred, but you may also call (888) 627-7033 to reserve a room – mention that it is for the “Southern Sociological Society 2026 Conference,” and the Group Code is G-SSS6.

The SSS conference rate is $199/night. The deadline for booking within the SSS Annual Meeting room block rate is March 1, 2026. However, the room block often fills up well before this cut-off date.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is the SSS Annual Meeting?  

The SSS Annual Meeting is the flagship conference of the Southern Sociological Society, bring together sociologists, researchers, and students to present research, engage in professional development, and network with peers.

Where and when will the next Annual Meeting take place?  

The next annual meeting will be held in Jacksonville, Florida from April 8-11, 2026.

What is this year’s theme?  

This year’s conference theme is ‘Empowered Sociologists: Agency and Action towards Social Change,’ is a call to action for empowered thought leaders who have the agency to uphold the ethical mission of the Southern Sociological Society. 

Is the annual meeting in person, hybrid, or virtual?  

The annual meeting is primarily held in person. Any virtual or hybrid components will be announced closer to the event.  

Please direct conference program questions to: program@southernsociologicalsociety.org.

Questions regarding membership or registration should be directed to: webmaster@southernsociologicalsociety.org.  

Conference Registration Fees

Register for the conference in the SSS member portal. Per SSS Policy, all conference participants must also be current dues-paying members, though you do not need to be a member at the time of submission. Note: Refunds only issued for cancellation requests that occur on or before the Pre-Registration Deadline (March 1st). Contact the Executive Officer to make a request.

Guest passes are available on-site for free to individuals attending the conference as guests of a presenter. Stop by Onsite Registration to request a guest pass.

Membership Type	Pre-Registration (on or before 3/1/2026)	Onsite Registration (after 3/1/2026)
Regular/Tenure-Track Faculty	$75	$125
Student (Graduate and Undergraduate)	$35	$60
Unemployed/Non-Tenure Track	$35	$60
Observer	$20	$35
Non-Member/Non-Academic	$125	$200
Emeritus/Emerita	$25	$40