About
Research Committee on Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy RC19 of the International Sociological Association (ISA) brings together an active and lively community from different fields of social sciences. The purpose is to promote theoretically grounded empirical research on: the sources and character of social problems; the planning and administration of social programs; and more generally, public policies and intervention strategies aimed at alleviating social problems and influencing the society in that regard. The Committee especially encourages comparative and transnational research. Thus, membership to RC19 is open to scholars actively engaged in research and/or teaching on the subjects mentioned above. RC19 holds annual meetings in varying places, and joins the ISA conventions and regional forums on a regular basis.
To contact us, email isa-rc19@isa-sociology.org
Nominate your paper to the RC19 International Social Policy Price
Email your paper to isa-rc19@isa-sociology.org / Subject: RC19 Price
Deadline: December 12 5 pm ET, 2025
RC19 will award an international social policy prize to the best paper by an early-stage researcher presented at the RC19 conference in 2024 (Oslo, Norway) or 2025 (Rabat, Morocco). The authors may nominate themselves by submitting a paper they have presented at an RC19 conference in the past two years (2024 or 2025) to isa-rc19@isa-sociology.org.
The prize-winning paper is provided with a high-profile opportunity for publication in the journal Global Social Policy or Social Politics, and a prize of USD 500. The winner also receives 1 year’s free subscription to the journal.
All co-authors should be pre-PhD or within five years after completion of their PhD. If a senior scholar is involved, it is clarified that the junior/s took the leading role.
All submissions will be judged by two editorial board members and two RC19 board members.
Candidates should receive feedback and the results of the competition in April 2026. The winning author(s) must return her/their final version of the paper, conforming in length and style to the journal requirements, by the end of June 2026. Revision of submissions to incorporate the judges´ comments will be a condition for publication and for receiving the prize.
A formal announcement of the prize winner will be made at the 2026 annual RC19 conference in Birmingham (September 2-4).
