25–26 March 2026 at Heriot-Watt University Dubai | Online
Conference Update – March 4, 2026
Following careful consideration of the evolving situation in the Gulf, the Social Capital 2026 Conference will now be held fully online.
To ensure the conference can proceed in a safe and inclusive format, we will integrate the previously planned Virtual Day with the main conference into a two-day online program on 25–26 March 2026, delivered via the Whova event platform.
We recognise that this change may affect some participants’ travel plans and sincerely appreciate the community’s understanding and flexibility.
Further information regarding registration arrangements, fees, and refunds will be communicated shortly.
Our intention is to host an in-person Social Capital Conference in Dubai in March 2027.
While we regret that we will not be able to meet in person this year, the online format allows the conference to proceed as planned and remain accessible to participants from around the world.
Registrations remain open, and there is still the opportunity to participate, present your research, and engage with colleagues from the international social capital community.
Participants can join the conference from their homes and will have access to the full program, including keynote lectures, panel discussions, presentations, and the virtual screening of Join or Die, without additional travel costs.
Early bird registration for the #socialcapital2026 conference closes on Friday 6th of February.
The conference will take place on 26–28 March 2026 at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, with pre-conference workshops on 26 March 2026.
This conference will bring together leading scholars, experts, and stakeholders for three days of insightful discussions, groundbreaking research presentations, and collaborative networking opportunities.
This much-anticipated event will serve as a platform to explore the evolving role of social capital in diverse contexts, from economic development and governance to community resilience and digital transformation.
It will inter alia feature keynote lectures by Robert Putnam, Raj Chetty, and Beate Völker.
The keynote speakers are internationally recognised for their groundbreaking research and practical contributions to the field. They will share fresh insights, challenge assumptions, and inspire new ways of thinking about trust, networks, and the social fabric that underpins resilient societies.
Bob Putnam also made a small video for the conference reflecting on the importance and future of social capital.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G63GOT2Xp_A