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International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry |
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Centre and Periphery: navigating the situatedness of youth ministryLeuven, Belgium - 7-10 April 2027Call For Papers:
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Conference Theme:Church was once the centre of society across Europe but is now, generally, in decline and is therefore increasingly situated on the edge. This may position Christian youth in the periphery of society and even marginalise young people themselves in their social groups. What is more, youth ministry has not been the centre of attention in most churches. While it can take up a central role there are many ways in which youth ministry can be treated as a peripheral part of ministry. On the other hand, youth work as a vital part of a democratic society seems to be more necessary than ever. Youth ministry experiences this ambiguity of being sometimes in the centre and sometimes at the periphery. The 2027 European Conference seeks to address these experiences of (de)centring.
Organizing Committee (leuven2027@iasym.net): For more information about the conference, please contact the organizing committee Amy Casteel and Matt Whiffen at leuven2027@iasym.net. |
Submit an Abstract:
Open June 2026, closes on 2 extended to 10 October 2026
We will confirm paper proposals by the 9th of November
Proposals are invited in one of three categories: research papers; a dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussion; or an emerging research paper.
- Research Papers present new research that is ready to be presented and critically engaged by a formal respondent as well as group discussion. Research Papers will be chosen by the academic committee to be presented as a keynote address or in an elective session.
- Dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussions present a topic that will benefit from interaction from diverse perspectives. These sessions are most often presented by a team of scholars who have worked together to frame the dialogue. Dialogue, workshop, or roundtable discussions may be chosen by the academic committee to be presented as a keynote session or in an elective session.
- Emerging Research sessions provide an opportunity to share ‘works-in-progress’ and developing thoughts as well as completed ideas not yet established in a formal paper. These sessions provide an opportunity for new or emerging researchers (whether engaged in formal study or as a thoughtful practitioner) to receive feedback in a constructive environment, or for seasoned researchers to road-test preliminary project ideas. Emerging research will be presented in elective sessions.
Abstracts for presentation proposals are due by Saturday, 10 October 2026 (extended)
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Via email ac2027leuven@iasym.net.
- Include the following information:
- Title,
- Type of proposal (Research Paper, Dialogue/Workshop/Roundtable, Emerging Research)
- Author name
- Organization
- Contact information
- Abstract max 500 word
The academic committee will provide notification of paper acceptance by Monday, 9 November 2026.
Full-text papers will need to be submitted by Monday, 15 March 2027. Presenters are requested to ensure that your paper meets the author instructions for the Journal of Youth and Theology.
Academic Committee (ac2027leuven@iasym.net):
- Bert Roebben, chair, Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Bonn
- Rebecca Dean, Ridley Hall, University of Cambridge
- Johanna Kalian, Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Vienna
- Toni Mifsud, youth research, Malta
- Ronelle Sonnenberg, Protestantse Theologische Universiteit, Amsterdam
Registration
Please notice that all registrations will be without accommodation, so you can already book your own.
In order for members to get early-bird and members prices, you need to be logged in.
- IASYM members click here. (registration opens soon)
- Non-IASYM members conference registration click here. (registration opens soon)
Travel
Travel to Leuven
The simplest way to Leuven is by train, whether you arrive in Belgium via airline or by train.
From Brussels Airport Zaventem , take the -2 floor level to access the Belgian Rail system (SNCB). There are two direct trains each hour which take you to Leuven in about 15 minutes. Train tickets may be purchased online before arriving via their website or at kiosks in the station. Taxis and ride shares are also available.
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport, the easiest way is to take the TEC bus (Line A1) to Charleroi-Central (SNCB) train station, which takes about 20 minutes. From there, you will see the trains headed to Leuven (about 1 hour and 5 minutes travel times). Tickets for the buses are available via vending machines; tickets for the trains are available at the station or via the Belgian Rail system (SNCB) website.
If you arrive in Belgium by Thalys or the Eurostar, you will arrive at Brussels South (Brussel Zuid/Bruxelles Midi). From Brussels South, there are several trains each hour which take you to Leuven (30 minutes). Most trains to Leuven run in the direction of Tongeren/Tongres, Eupen, Welkenraedt, Landen, Genk and Luik/Liège Guillemins.
Warning: Please note that Louvain-la-Neuve is NOT the same place as Leuven/Louvain. For further details at the rail stations, you can consult the yellow posters in the railway station or visit Belgian Rail for timetables.
If you arrive in Belgium by train from the Netherlands or from Germany, you should visit the websites for Dutch Railways (NS) or German Railways (DB).
Various methods of transport which are possible in Leuven can be found on the university’s website or on Leuven city's official website.
From the train station to the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies is a 15 minute walk from the station. Our address is:
Sint-Michielsstraat 4
3000 Leuven
Belgium
It is also possible to go by bus (Bus 2 direction Heverlee Campus De Lijn). Depart the bus at the third stop: Leuven Sint-Michielskerk (about 7 minutes). The fare for any stop within Leuven is about 3 EUR, with pre-payments on app or at a kiosk preferred).
Accomodation in Leuven
The conference registration is without accommodation. So you have to book your own. Here is a list of accommodations (from another KU Leuven conference)
There is not an official conference block of rooms, still we warmly recommend either a hotel or hostel booking. This is on the same site, but offers conference guests the option to share accommodation in the hostel or book a hotel room directly.
Leuven City Hostel, Bogaardenstraat 27, 3000 Leuven, Tel: (+32) 16 84 30 33
Ibis Leuven Centrum, Brusselsestraat 52, 3000 Leuven, Tel: (+32) 16 29 31 11
Cost per night, excluding taxes is from about 90 euros per night. Breakfast may be added.
Other hotel properties in and around Leuven include:
Pentahotel Leuven Park Inn by Radisson Leuven
Begijnhof Hotel Irish College Leuven
Tourist information
Further information on Leuven can be found on the city’s tourism website.
Use-It Travel Guides also provide free maps of many European cities including Leuven and Brussels. Feel free to visit their website to learn about Leuven, order a guide, or print a map of Leuven yourself.
Contact
For practical information about the conference, please the organizing committee (Amy Casteel and Matt Whiffen) at leuven2027@iasym.net.
For inquiries about the theme of the conference, and about submitting proposals and papers, please contact the academic committee at ac2027leuven@iasym.net.