STS - Universiti Malaya

International Conference on Science, Technology and Society 2023 (iCON-STS 2026)

Rejuvenating STS for Sustainability Transitions

Date	22 - 23 July 2026
Mode	Physical - Sabah, Malaysia
Organisers	Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Website	https://umevent.um.edu.my/ICONSTS2026

The global call for sustainability demands more than innovation—it requires the strategic alignment of science, technology, and innovation (STI) with societal needs, policy agendas, and industrial transformation.

The International Conference on Science, Technology and Society 2026 seeks to catalyze a dynamic dialogue between academics, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore how STI can advance social good in the face of climate change, inequality, and rapid technological change. This conference offers a critical space for cross-sector dialogue and policy-relevant knowledge exchange, bridging research with real-world impact across Asia and the Global South.

We invite empirical studies, conceptual papers, and policy briefs that examine the evolving intersections of science communication, public engagement, and STI policy for sustainable development. The conference welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that address the following themes: We especially encourage participation from early-career scholars, government think tanks, and regional innovation or science policy agencies.

Conference Themes

Main topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Science Communication	Science Literacy: Measurement, Evaluation and Monitoring Science Communication and Public Engagement for Sustainable Development Science Communication Industry Development (e.g., STEM Education, Science Fiction) Impact Assessment for Science Communication
Innovation Ecosystems	Technology Development and Management Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Economics of Science, Technology and Innovation Blue Economy Green Economy
Socio-Cultural Delilberation & Science Diplomacy	Global Public Deliberation in Science and Technology, Knowledge Pluralism and Policy Interface (the O.D.E.SS.I. stream) Action Research for Sustainable Development Ethics and Social Values in STI History and Philosophy of Science