Brasília, Brazil | November 9–11, 2026
The IPA2026BR – Interpretive Policy Analysis Seminar invites scholars and researchers to submit their proposals for this international gathering dedicated to critical and interpretive studies in public policy. It offers a welcoming academic space, open to interdisciplinary dialogue and methodological experimentation, in which theory and practice are understood as deeply intertwined dimensions of social life and of the critical analysis of contemporary policies.
This seminar is part of a global initiative to relaunch the IPA Conferences, now organized in the format of three macro-regional seminars: IPA2026BR in South America (Brazil); IPA2026AU in Oceania (Australia); and a third in Europe, IPA2027EU, with location still to be defined. This initiative represents a process of renewal of the format, proposed by Brazil, and of the experience of these international meetings, originally launched in 2006 across different regions of the world, but which, until now, had never been held in the Global South. This relaunch reinforces the commitment to more collaborative, interactive formats that are attentive to global transformations in the field of critical interpretive policy studies, expanding the reach, diversity, and depth of scholarly debate.
IPA2026BR will be held at the University of Brasília (UnB), at the Darcy Ribeiro Campus (Plano Piloto), in the city of Brasília, capital of Brazil. We will be situated in a territory marked by intellectual and political projects associated with foundational critical thinkers such as Paulo Freire and Darcy Ribeiro. The choice of Brasília is not merely logistical, but also political: the city reaffirms itself as a decolonial hub for innovation and the circulation of critical interpretive knowledge for the study and practice of public policy.
This scientific event is supported by the Critical Policy Studies Journal (CPS), the Critical Interpretive Policy Studies Network (ipa.science), and the International Public Policy Association (IPPA). It also receives support from the National School of Public Administration (ENAP) and the Foundation for Support to Research and Technology (Fundação de Empreendimentos Científicos e Tecnológicos – FINATEC).
Sobre o IPA2026BR
The format of IPA2026BR combines interactive and agile methodologies, bringing together academic production, territorial experiences, and decolonial perspectives. At the same time, it seeks to reduce the environmental impacts associated with long-distance travel and reinforces Brasília’s role as a hub for innovation and for the global and macro-regional circulation of critical interpretive knowledge in public policy.
In addition to the academic sessions, IPA2026BR proposes an expanded experience of learning and scholarly exchange. The program, taking place from November 9 to 11, 2026, has been designed to balance intellectual debate, territorial immersion, and formative activities. Over the three days, the event will include advanced workshops in critical interpretive policy studies, ethnographic walks through Brasília, and visits to three insurgent democratic initiatives in the Federal District, as well as ample time and space for debates, research group meetings, and academic networking, integrating interactive formats and agile methodologies.
Explore our overall program:
Call for Papers
The Call for Papers is now officially open! We warmly invite the submission of extended abstracts that engage with the thematic tracks of the panels. All panels have been developed by members of the Scientific Committee and are being coordinated by them.
Submission period: April 15, 2026, to June 12, 2026.
Accepted format: extended abstracts of up to 500 words.
Notification of acceptance to authors: July 25, 2026
Deadline for submission of full papers: September 29, 2026
Please submit through the conference website: IPPA – IPA2026BR
Do not forget: this is an in-person event!
In addition to these panels, you may also submit proposals for our advanced workshops. They will be published on the website starting May 15.
The registration lists for the ethnographic walks through Brasília and for participation in the visits to insurgent democratic initiatives will open soon and will close two months before the event.
Stay tuned!