42nd Association for Israel Studies Conference
Ramat Gan Academic College
July 27-29, 2026

The Call for Papers – below – is followed by
(1) submission links and (2) instructions:

The Steering Committee for the 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Israel Studies invites scholars researching any aspect of Israel Studies to submit proposals for organized panels, roundtables, workshops, individual papers and posters.

This year’s conference will take place at Ramat Gan Academic College

(המכללה האקדמית רמת גן الكلية الأكاديمية رمات چان) and will focus on the theme:

Security, Rehabilitation and Healing – What’s Next?

In the aftermath of profound national trauma and in the face of ongoing social, political, and technological change, Israel confronts new questions about the meaning of security, recovery, and healing – as a state, as a society, and as part of the global community.
This conference invites critical discussion on how Israel’s security challenges, social recovery, and healing processes intersect with technology, culture, and international relations.

Sub-Topics include (but are not limited to):

  • The evolving concept of national and personal security in Israel
  • Technological innovations in defense, rehabilitation, and social healing
  • AI and digital health: technology for trauma recovery and mental health
  • The role of education and culture in post-conflict rehabilitation
  • Public discourse and media narratives around security and recovery
  • The impact of recent conflicts on Israeli society and minority relations
  • Ethical and legal perspectives on rehabilitation and national resilience
  • Environmental recovery and sustainable rebuilding after conflict
  • Gender and rehabilitation: women’s experiences in times of crisis
  • Diaspora-Israel relations in times of trauma and healing
  • Comparative perspectives on national resilience and post-war healing
  • Cultural production (film, literature, art) as a mode of healing and testimony
  • The role of religion and spirituality in social rehabilitation
  • Economic recovery and social policy innovation
  • Digital diplomacy and cybersecurity as instruments of security and stability

Steering Committee Members

Prof. Rinat Kitai-Sangero (Conference Chair)
Dr. Irit Ohana
Dr. Alon Hasgall
Mr. Rafi Shneor

AIS 2026 submission links for proposals:

Deadline for Submission of all proposals: January 19, 2026.

  • This year, for the first time, we will be opening a session for poster presentations! Posters, if accepted, will be displayed throughout the conference and will have specific timeslots whereby the research findings can be presented and discussed with conference participants.
  • Panel sessions and roundtables should include the panel theme, the individual contributions, and the chair. Abstracts should not exceed 650 words.
    • We encourage organizers to keep diversity in mind.
  • Individual oral presentations or poster proposals should not exceed 250 words.
  • All presenters must register for the conference and be current AIS members in order to present and be listed on the conference program.
    • AIS membership available as of January 2026.
    • Abstracts accepted by early March.
    • Conference registration opens early March.
  • Graduate students who have completed their course work are encouraged to submit their abstract proposal and should provide the email of their advisor for approval.
  • Questions? Please contact the AIS conference coordinator at conf@aisisraelstudies.org

Deadline for Requesting Travel Grant:
January 19, 2026.

The AIS will provide a limited number of travel grants to assist graduate students and PhD holders without a university position in sponsoring their trip to Israel.

Click here for the Travel Grant submission form.