Policing and Society Conference

1.- 2. October
For the 8th time, the Policing and Society Conference takes place at UNAK — the theme of this year's conference is De-escalation

The Policing and Society Conference is a venue where Icelandic and international academics and professionals meet and converse about policing in a broad sense. This year’s conference theme is De-escalation.

Call for Abstracts

Call for Abstract (PDF)

The Police Science Research Center at the University of Akureyri (Iceland) invites abstracts for its 8th Policing and Society Conference on October 1 and 2, 2025. The conference is a venue where Icelandic and international academics and professionals meet and converse about policing in a broad sense. Professionals and academics who work in fields that involve policing in one form or another are encouraged to submit abstracts that build on their work and/or research.

The keynote speakers reflect this year’s conference theme: De-escalation. De-escalation refers to methods aimed at bringing calm to volatile situations using the least amount of force possible. Police reform in Iceland and abroad has increasingly emphasized de-escalation in recent years, and it is important to learn more about this approach.

We strongly encourage abstracts that deal with de-escalation but we, of course, welcome all contributions that intersect with policing in one form or another. To reiterate: this conference is a joint venue for academics and professionals to share their research and experience involving policing, learn from one another, and engage with the public.

Keynote speakers will be announced later.

Registration

The conference registration fee is €65 per person and the program, coffee and refreshments are included. University students attend free of charge. Conference attendees pay for their own travel and accommodation.

Register here

Useful Information:

  • The conference will be held October 1 and 2, 2025, in the Miðborg house of the University of Akureyri. The conference runs from 9:00 Wednesday October 1 to 13:00 Thursday October 2.
  • Each presentation is allotted 25 minutes, which includes Q&A. Abstracts (maximum 250 words) should be submitted via email (goddsson@unak.is) no later than June 15. Abstracts should include a title, short description, methods, main results and/or arguments. Include information about academic position, profession, and the order of the authors (if more than one).
  • The conference registration fee is €65 per person and the program, coffee and refreshments are included. University students attend free of charge. Conference attendees pay for their own travel and accommodation.
  • There will be a conference dinner Wednesday October 1.
  • Conference website: Policing and Society Conference
  • Several airlines fly to Iceland, including Icelandair
  • Icelandair flies from Reykjavík to Akureyri

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Further Information

For more information contact Guðmundur Oddsson, Professor of Sociology at the University of Akureyri goddsson@unak.is; tel. +354 460 8677