CFP: A Summer of Social Ontology in Wuhan

The School of Philosophy at Wuhan University, with the support of the International Social Ontology Society, is pleased to announce its second-annual Social Ontology Summer School. The Summer School will explore various topics in social ontology, including group agency, the metaphysics of social categories, conventionalism about persons, the ideal/non-ideal distinction, social power, and philosophical agency.

Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students attending a university within China.

Time: June 4–8, 2026 (participants arrive on June 4 and depart on June 8; sessions will be scheduled for June 5, 6, and 7)

Location: Room B107, School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China

Website: https://philosophy.whu.edu.cn/info/1032/125911.htm

Application Timetable:

April 15, 2026 (Application Deadline)

April 30, 2026 (Notification of Acceptance)

Expenses: The Summer School will cover the following expenses for admitted applicants: accommodation from the night of June 4 through the morning of June 8, travel expenses (round-trip train tickets) within China, and group dinners on the nights of the Summer School. There is no registration fee. Participants are responsible for all other expenses, including meals and intracity travel.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your CV (including institutional affiliation, coursework, and research interests) and a brief (1 page) cover letter about why you’re interested in attending the summer school to [email protected] by April 15, 2026 with the email subject “Application to Social Ontology Summer School”. While applications may be submitted in Chinese or English, the Summer School will be conducted primarily in English.

Applicants may apply to present their research at a student panel during the Summer School. If you are interested in presenting, please indicate your interest in the body of the email and attach a 250-word abstract and title for a proposed presentation as a separate document. Applicants whose proposals are accepted will be informed alongside notification of acceptance to the Summer School.

While the summer school is in session, speakers will be providing lectures on their topics of expertise. The list of planned speakers includes:

• Peter Finocchiaro (Wuhan University)
• Gina Lebkuecher (Wuhan University)
• Michael Longenecker (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)
• Rachel Sterken (University of Hong Kong)
• Kevin Turner (Hong Kong Baptist University)
• Hwa Yeong Wang (Duke Kunshan University)
• Luca Moretti (University of Eastern Piedmont)
• Sandro Guli (University of Aberdeen)