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5th Annual International Singles Studies Association Conference
July 8, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland
July 8, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Single Majority: Single Studies for a Changing Society
Call for Abstracts
The International Singles Studies Association (ISSA) invites scholars, policymakers, artists, advocates and interested parties to submit abstracts for its 5th annual meeting, to be held in-person and virtually on the 8th of July 2026, 10am-4pm (BST) at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. This annual conference brings together a community of scholars and professionals who are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of singlehood in its various dimensions.
Guidelines:
Fill out this form for submission by February 10th, 2026: https://forms.gle/HaaQpFMsVxJxh6Pq5
Abstracts should be no more than 300 words (1800 characters) and provide a clear overview of the research or artistic work that contributes to the study of singlehood.
Important dates
Abstract submission deadline: February 10th, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Late March, 2026
Final Agenda: June 8th, 2026
Conference: July 8th, 2026
The theme of this year’s conference is “The Single Majority: Single Studies for a Changing Society.” In many parts of the world, single adults now make up a significant and growing share of the population. As singlehood becomes increasingly common, longstanding assumptions about relationships, family, identity, care, and citizenship are being challenged and need to be reimagined. This conference seeks contributions that deepen our understanding of single life in its many evolving forms and contexts, and that critically examine how rising rates of singlehood are transforming social norms, economic structures, cultural narratives, and policy landscapes. We welcome interdisciplinary, global, and intersectional work that advances Singlehood Studies as a field and engages with the opportunities and inequalities emerging in this new era.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
Refining and Rethinking Singlehood Studies: Concepts, Categories, Methods, and Meanings
Social Change and Singlehood: Policy, Laws, Rights, and Reform
Singlehood and Intersectional Identities (e.g., Age, Class, Disability, Gender, Nationality, Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation, etc.)
Global and Decolonial Perspectives on Singlehood
Singleness in Indigenous Communities
Shifting Norms and Narratives Around Singlehood
Singlehood Identities, Social Networks, and Stigma
Cultural Shifts in Representations of Singlehood in the Arts, Literature, and Media
Work, Care, and the Economics of Singleness
Technology, AI, and the Digital Lives of Single People
Masculinities, Men, and Singlehood
Date: July 8, 2026
Location: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
No Conference Fee
Please send any questions to one of our conference organisers:
Alexandra Fisher, University of Edinburgh, Scotland alex.fisher@ed.ac.uk
Kimberly Martinez Phillips, York University, Canada kphillip@yorku.ca
Note: Conference takes place before the IARR conference reception in Glasgow
Travel & Accomodations
Travel & Accomodations
The 5th Annual International Singles Studies Association Conference will be held at the University of Edinburgh, with main activities expected to take place in or around George Square in the central campus.
Edinburgh is a walkable city with excellent public transport links. Below you will find practical guidance on how to reach the University from key transport hubs, along with recommended accommodation options.
Accommodations
Edinburgh is a popular destination in summer, so we strongly recommend booking accommodation as early as possible. Below are University of Edinburgh–affiliated options, which may be particularly convenient for conference participants.
University of Edinburgh hotels (mid-range comfort):
These hotels are part of the University of Edinburgh Hospitality & Events Collection and offer greater comfort than student residences while remaining reasonably priced for Edinburgh. Potential 10-15% discount with the code "EVENT" when booking via www.uoecollection.com/hotels
The Scholar: A modern university hotel located near Holyrood Park, offering comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a relaxed atmosphere.
The Scholar: A modern university hotel located near Holyrood Park, offering comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a relaxed atmosphere.
● https://www.uoecollection.com/hotels/the-scholar/
The Scott: A boutique-style university hotel, also located within the Pollock Estate, with stylish interiors and good amenities.
The Scott: A boutique-style university hotel, also located within the Pollock Estate, with stylish interiors and good amenities.
● https://www.uoecollection.com/hotels/the-scott/
KM Hotel & Apartments: Located closer to the Old Town and University areas, this option includes both hotel rooms and apartment-style accommodation, which may suit longer stays or shared bookings.
KM Hotel & Apartments: Located closer to the Old Town and University areas, this option includes both hotel rooms and apartment-style accommodation, which may suit longer stays or shared bookings.
● https://www.uoecollection.com/hotels/km-hotel/
More affordable / low-budget options: Summer Stays (University of Edinburgh residences)
During the summer months, the University opens selected student residences to visitors. These provide simple, functional, and good-value accommodation, suitable for students, early-career researchers, or anyone travelling on a limited budget.
Rooms are typically single occupancy, with either shared or en-suite facilities depending on the residence.
● Summer Stays – Chancellor’s Court:
https://www.uoecollection.com/summer-stays-at-the-university-of-edinburgh/chancellors-court/
For relatively more affordable options, you may also consider Travelodge (no frills but very solid):
● Central (0.9 miles)
● Cameron Toll (1 mile)
● Central Waterloo Place (1.4 miles)
● Central Rose Street (1.6 miles)
Also, student accommodations may offer budget-friendly options, such as:
● Destiny
From Glasgow
From Glasgow
Edinburgh is very well connected to Glasgow:
● By train (ScotRail https://www.scotrail.co.uk/ or Trainline https://www.thetrainline.com/):
Regular services run from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley, with a journey time of around 50 minutes.
● By coach (https://www.flixbus.co.uk/):
Frequent coach services operate between Glasgow and Edinburgh, arriving at central locations in both cities. Both options are straightforward and widely used by conference attendees and visitors.
If you are planning on attending IARR after ISSA:
The easiest way to get there from the ISSA conference to Glasgow is via train. You can plan your train journey via ScotRail (https://www.scotrail.co.uk/) or Trainline (https://www.thetrainline.com/).
From George Square (in Edinburgh) you can walk (15-20 minutes), taxi, uber, or bus from the conference to Edinburgh Waverley Train Station
Purchase a ticket to Glasgow (central station) at any of the ticket kiosks or online via Scotrail (https://www.scotrail.co.uk/) or Trainline (https://www.thetrainline.com/). Travel time approximately 50 minutes.
Get out at Glasgow Central Railway Station
Walk time approximately 10 minutes to the Glasgow City Chambers reception venue.
Full journey here:
55° 53' 50.5381" N 4° 22' 58.0037" W
By Air - Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
By Air - Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Edinburgh Airport is the city’s main international gateway and is approximately 12 km from the city centre.
Edinburgh Airport is the city’s main international gateway and is approximately 12 km from the city centre.
From the airport, you have several convenient options:
● Tram (https://edinburghtrams.com/)
The Edinburgh Tram runs frequently (typically every 7–10 minutes) from the airport to the city centre. You can travel to Princes Street or St Andrew Square, both of which are within walking distance of George Square or a short local bus/taxi ride away. See walking directions from Princes street here: 55° 56' 52.9012" N 3° 12' 10.8432" W
● Airlink 100 Bus (https://airlink100.co.uk/)
The Airlink express bus runs directly from the airport to the city centre, with stops at Waverley Bridge near Edinburgh Waverley Station. See walking directions from Waverley Station here: 55° 56' 53.1096" N 3° 11' 31.5564" W
● Taxi (https://www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk/) or ride-hailing services (e.g. Uber)
Taxis are available from a designated rank outside the terminal, and services such as Uber operate in Edinburgh. Journey times to George Square are typically around 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic.
By Train or Tram
By Train or Tram
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Waverley is Edinburgh’s main railway station, located in the heart of the city. From here:
It is around a 15–20 minute walk to George Square, or a short bus or taxi ride.
Waverley connects Edinburgh to London, Manchester, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Bristol, and many other UK cities.
Edinburgh Haymarket Station
Edinburgh Haymarket Station
Haymarket serves many routes from the west of Scotland and northern England. From Haymarket:
You can take a local bus or tram into the city centre, or walk to George Square in approximately 20–25 minutes
Getting Around Edinburgh
Trams (https://edinburghtrams.com/)
A nice way to get across the city
Paying for the tram is super easy - you can tap on and tap off with your credit or debit card or buy a ticket at the kiosk
There are often workers on trams checking tickets so don’t forget to buy a ticket or tap on ahead (or pay the price)
Lothian Buses (https://www.lothianbuses.com/) - Also, very easy! You can tap on with your credit or debit card (no need to tap off).
Taxi - There are various taxi companies available including:
- https://www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk/
- https://www.capitalcarsscotland.co.uk/
Uber - Easy way to get around the city but can get oversubscribed quickly at rush hours so plan trips ahead if you can.
Walking - Edinburgh is a very walkable but pavements and sidewalks are not always very even (cobblestones!) so a good pair of walking shoes is key.
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