#BISA2027 conference to be held in Manchester
If you joined us at the BISA reception at the International Studies association (ISA) conference in Columbus, you may already have heard the rumours, but we can now officially announce that in 2027 our flagship annual conference will be held in Manchester!
Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts, and sport. Today, Manchester combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers incredible experiences for all who visit.
Manchester boasts beautiful attractions such as the gothic architecture at John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral; fine art at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth; and history, old and new, at Manchester Museum and the Imperial War Museum North.
Manchester is also one of the most accessible cities in the UK for both national and international visitors. As England's Gateway to the North, travel around Northern England is easy, and Manchester Airport is easily accessible from Manchester city centre.
BISA Director/CEO, Juliet Dryden, said:
“We’re really looking forward to bringing the BISA conference back to Manchester, where we last went in 2011. From football and music to heritage and architecture, there are so many different parts to the city, and we hope that delegates can take advantage of its proximity to other locations in the UK. We will work closely with colleagues from both Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan universities to present a thought-provoking selection of panels, roundtables, and fringe events from the International Studies community.”
Manchester Convention Bureau have created a website to give potential delegates further information about everything the city has to offer.
Professor Simon Rushton (Sheffield) will continue his two-year role as conference programme chair. The call for papers will be released early in September 2026, alongside further announcements about what will be taking place.
In the meantime, we are almost ready to begin our 2026 conference in Brighton, taking place from 3-5 June. There are almost 400 events taking place during the conference, and you can still register as an observer. Visit the conference website for more information.
Photo by Orry Verducci on Unsplash