The International Seminar on Inequality and Social Mobility in Latin America (DEMOSAL) is a research network devoted to the study of social inequality and mobility that was established 15 years ago. DEMOSAL serves as a forum for scholarly exchange and critical dialogue, bringing together researchers to discuss theoretical approaches, methodological developments, and empirical findings on class structures, social mobility, and patterns of social inequality in Latin America.

For its 2027 conference the DEMOSAL network and the co-organizers invite researchers to apply with papers contributing on this general topic and, in particular, those that contribute to the research on the construction of innovative and multidimensional measures of socio-economic inequality. Contributions providing innovative approaches fostering debate on the interpretation of stratification processes and the evolving dynamics of inequality across Latin America, promoting reflection on key dimensions of social inequality, including the conceptualization and classification of social classes, their socio-historical formation and boundaries, and the pathways and prospects for both intra- and intergenerational mobility, are particularly welcome.

The conference organizers invite contributions examining how class-based inequalities intersect with gender, ethnic-racial, and territorial disparities, shaping contemporary stratification systems and influencing broader social and political processes in Latin American societies. Under the theme “Inequality and social mobility in Latin America: debates, horizons, and challenges” the upcoming conference aims at deepening the analysis of contemporary transformations in social stratification and mobility, fostering renewed discussion on the theoretical, methodological, and empirical challenges involved in understanding inequality in the region.

The DEMOSAL network as organizer of the event, together with the World Society Foundation(WSF; www.worldsociety.ch) and the INCASI network (http://incasi.uab.es) as co-organizers, will prioritize seven lines of research for contributions: labor, education, social mobility, social stratification, gender, migration, and public policies. These lines offer essential perspectives of multiple characters of socioeconomic inequality, and drive to the integrated analytical framework that DEMOSAL, INCASI and WSF are interested in developing capabilities on innovative and multidimensional measures of socio- economic inequality.

Submission Procedure and Conditions of Travel Grant Awards (TGA)

Proposals that have successfully passed the DEMOSAL call for papers selection process may be considered for TGA. Proposals included within one or more of the lines mentioned above are especially welcome. Proposals that employ a systematic comparative approach, i.e. the measurement or study of the same phenomenon/dimension in different countries or regions, or methodological reflections, are particularly welcome.

Please submit an extended abstract of 5,000 words (no more) in Spanish or English, before October 30, 2026 (CET) to pr.incasi @ uab.es.

The extended abstract should include the title of the paper, all author(s) names and affiliation as well as contact information. It should contain clear information on the topic, research methods, hypothesis, data sources and analytical tools to be used. Between 3 and 5 keywords are required. Please note that the organizers are seeking original contributions.

WSF, DEMOSAL and INCASI will award selected proposal with a limited number of travel grants including airfare and accommodation (in full or in part). Payment will be made after the event upon submission of supporting documents (transport and hotel invoices). Reimbursement will be up to the amount indicated in Annex 1, or less if justified expenses are lower.

Travel grants will be provided for one author per accepted extended abstracts using the most economical travel route.

Although this is an international call, priority will be given to researchers and doctoral students from Latin America.

Notification: Authors will be notified byDecember 15, 2026 of extended abstract acceptance/rejection. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to the conference. 

Venue: The conference will be held at the Department of Sociology, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Local organizing committee: Marcelo Boado, Rafael Rey, and Sofía Vanoli (Universidad de la República, Montevideo)

Scientific conference committee: Marcelo Boado and Rafael Rey (Universidad de la República, Montevideo), Eduardo Chávez-Molina (University of Buenos Aires), Sandra Fachelli (Pablo de Olavide University/INCASI), Marc Herkenrath (University of Zurich/World Society Foundation Zurich), Pedro López-Roldán (Autonomous University of Barcelona/INCASI), Christian Suter (University of Neuchâtel/World Society Foundation Zurich).

Conference Sponsorship: The conference is organized by the DEMOSAL network and the Universidad de la República (Montevideo, Uruguay), and supported by the World Society Foundation (Zurich, Switzerland) and the INCASI network from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. 

For more information on the conference and for updates, please check webpage at: https://gemced.uy/wp/demosal/.