Concentrated atmosphere in a panel discussion of young researchers sharing their experiences and perspectives on research ethics, methods development, and research design.
The 27th Nordic Conference for the Sociology of Religion – also known as NCSR 2026 – took place mainly at Åbo Akademi University’s Arken campus in Turku on 12–14 August 2026. The conference was themed around research approaches and methodology in the sociology of religion, with a particular focus on centering research on marginalized, vulnerable and socially excluded groups.
The event welcomed over 160 delegates, comprised of researchers mainly from the Nordic and Baltic countries but also from further afield, amounting to one of the largest turnouts in the conference’s long-standing record so far. Part of the organizing team at Åbo Akademi University were Khushal Naik, a doctoral researcher, and Islam Sabry, a research coordinator in the Religion and Social Exclusion Project (RelEx). They recount that Turku received positive comments both in conversations during the conference and in participant feedback.
Delegates socializing at the entrance hall of Åbo Akademi Arken -building
Short Distances Made Life Around the Conference Easier
For the participants, one of the conference’s biggest strengths turned out to be Turku’s compact size, accessibility and walkability. Distances between the conference venue, accommodation and leisure activities could be effortlessly crossed on foot. Exploring the city was easy between sessions and after the day’s program due to the campus’ central location. The short distances helped visitors feel at ease and make the most of their stay, leaving time for cafés, riverside walks and informal meetings with colleagues.
Participants’ conference badges also included Föli travel passes that covered the usage of local buses and water buses for the weekend. The water buses attracted particular interest, with some of the visitors taking a trip to the beautiful island of Ruissalo by the waterbus on their own time.
“I think because of the size of the city, that made it a lot easier for people to really be at ease. Myself included, that's why I love it.” Khushal recounts.
Pictured left to right: Islam Sabry and Khushal Naik
Local Support Lightened the Organizers’ Workload
Naik and Sabry give credit to support from local partners while organizing the conference. Visit Turku Archipelago provided help ranging from arrival information and maps to Föli travel codes and procuring conference bags. City maps distributed to the delegates remained in use on the final day and beyond, as visitors planned on where to go next. Finding a meal option for every diet was also effortless, which garnered positive feedback from the participants as well.
The collaboration also left the organizers with a clear recommendation for future hosts: contact the local convention bureau early in the planning process. The organizing team had already spent time researching several practical arrangements before discovering how much help was available from Visit Turku Archipelago. Since the event, they have recommended the service to colleagues planning their own conferences.
City of Turku welcome reception, Mari Lahti speaking
A Local Event Becoming Part of the Experience
Turku’s Night of the Arts festival, which coincided with the conference, proved a particular bonus to the participants. Events along the river formed into a great afterparty after the conference dinner. The festival showed a new side to Turku, offering plenty of unusual things to enjoy around the city and inciting enthusiastic accounts of the evening the following morning, the last day of the conference. The lively city atmosphere added another dimension to NCSR 2026: delegates had come to present research and meet colleagues, but they also had the opportunity to enjoy their trip otherwise.
Local experiences featured in the conference’s own program, too. According to the organizers, a guided walk through the historic university quarter received very positive feedback, as well as an alternative excursion to Samppalinna Outdoor Swimming Stadium, which offered a different way to experience Turku in summer.
Conference dinner at Ravintola Kåren
A Conference Visit with Time for a Holiday
The organizers deliberately left room in the program for delegates to be able to explore the area independently. With the conference ending on Friday, visitors could extend their stay over the weekend. Some participants ended up remaining after the event, some even arrived early to experience the region.
The archipelago of Turku also caught participants’ interest. The organizers answered questions about bicycle hire and getting around the islands. One participant who had arrived by motorcycle continued onto the Archipelago Trail after the conference and later told how much he had enjoyed the journey.
For Naik and Sabry, NCSR 2026 left a positive impression of organizing a conference in Turku and an enthusiasm for future events. The city’s strengths were evident in practical details: help was readily available, distances were manageable, and there was plenty to discover beyond the academic program. Together, these elements made the conference a chance to experience both Turku and its archipelago to the fullest.
Text: Melina Lehtinen
Photos: NCSR 2026 organizing team