6th Global Conference on Parliamentary Studies Parliaments and Democratic Resilience

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Rīga Stradiņš University, in cooperation with the International Journal of Parliamentary Studies (Brill) and Széchenyi István University, are pleased to invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and parliamentary professionals to submit paper proposals for the 6th Global Conference on Parliamentary Studies, to be held at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) in Rīga, Latvia, on 15–16 July 2027.

Under the theme Parliaments and Democratic Resilience, the conference will explore the evolving role of parliaments in sustaining democratic governance, representation and accountability in a rapidly changing international environment.

Parliaments remain central institutions of democratic political systems. At the same time, they increasingly operate in an environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, democratic backsliding, political polarisation, populist tendencies, declining public trust, foreign interference and rapidly changing security challenges. These developments raise important questions about the capacity of parliamentary institutions to adapt, respond to crises and maintain their democratic functions while ensuring effective and accountable governance.

The conference seeks to bring together diverse perspectives on how parliaments respond to contemporary challenges and how parliamentary institutions can strengthen democratic resilience. We welcome theoretical, comparative, empirical and practice-oriented contributions from different geographical and disciplinary perspectives.

Call for proposals

We particularly welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following five thematic areas:

Contributions may focus on contemporary developments as well as historical or comparative perspectives that contribute to understanding the resilience and adaptation of parliamentary institutions.  

Participation is free of charge. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Submission guidelines

Submissions are welcome from scholars, researchers, and practitioners at any career stage, and from any discipline relevant to the Conference themes. Academics, researchers, and practitioners are warmly invited to submit paper proposals in English. You are invited to submit an abstract of up to 400 words.  

To submit an abstract, you should…

Scientific Committee

Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the conference's Scientific Committee:

• Professor Zsolt Szabó, Senior Research Fellow, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
• Professor Fotis Fitsilis, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Parliamentary Governance, Austral University, Argentina
• Professor Nicola Lupo, Professor of Constitutional and Public Law and Director of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, LUISS University, Italy
• Associate Professor Kārlis Bukovskis, Associate Professor of Political Science, Rīga Stradiņš University; Member of the Board, Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA), Latvia
• Romāns Gagunovs, PhD Candidate, Lecturer and Researcher, Rīga Stradiņš University, Latvia
• Lelde Metla-Rozentāle, PhD Candidate, Lecturer and Head of the Study Programme Group “International Politics and Society Studies”, Rīga Stradiņš University, Latvia

Important dates

Programme (TBC)

Accommodation in Riga

Special accommodation rates have been arranged for participants of the 6th Global Conference on Parliamentary Studies.

Participants are kindly requested to book their accommodation directly with the hotel using the booking links or promotional code provided below. Early booking is recommended, as rooms at the special conference rates are subject to availability.

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

Suggested image: room with a panoramic view of the Daugava River / Riga skyline.

Special conference rates

Single Room	100 EUR per room / night
Double Room	108 EUR per room / night

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Daugava Riga

Suggested image: guest room with a view across the Daugava River towards Riga Old Town.

Special conference rates

Standard Single Room	105 EUR per room / night
Standard Double Room	115 EUR per room / night
Cozy Single Room	120 EUR per room / night
Cozy Double Room	130 EUR per room / night

Park Inn by Radisson Riga Valdemara

Special conference rates

Standard Single Room	100 EUR per room / night
Standard Double Room	110 EUR per room / night