Sufficiency and Beyond:

Navigating the Middle Way

June 23-24, 2025, in Oslo, Norway

A conference co-organised by the MidWay project, the Limits to Digitalisation project, the Gemini Centre for Post Growth Futures, the Post Consumption Citizenship project, and the Norwegian Centre for Energy Transition Strategies (FME NTRANS)

This conference explores the concept of sufficiency in all its dimensions: conceptualization, operationalization, methodologies, and practical application. Designed as a dynamic and interactive meeting place, the Sufficiency and Beyond conference aims to develop and explore the concept across the sectors of food, energy, digitalization, mobility and beyond. While rooted in the social sciences and humanities, the conference welcomes contributions from all disciplines. Departing from traditional formats, the event fosters deep discussions, networking, and future collaborations. Scheduled just before the ISEE-Degrowth conference in Oslo, Sufficiency and Beyond offers opportunities for synergy, particularly for those travelling from afar. The conference will be mainly physical, but some sessions will cater to digital participation.

The Call for Abstracts was launched on January 13, 2025 (see below).

Important dates:

• January 2025: Call for abstracts launched
• February 15: Deadline for submitting abstracts
• March 15: Notice on acceptance of abstracts
• May 1: Early-bird registration deadline
• June 1: Final registration deadline
• June 23-24: Conference held at University of Oslo, Norway

Conference venue: University of Oslo, Blindern campus

Conference fee:

There will be a small fee for participation to cover mainly the food. More information will come on this in 2025.

For questions and further information, do not hesitate to write us:

Marius Korsnes: marius.korsnes@ntnu.no

Cheng Yu: yu.cheng@ntnu.no

Call for abstracts

There has been an increased interest in the concept of sufficiency in recent years. Although the ideas behind it are older, the coining of the notion, as used in the social sciences (distinguished from its usage in philosophy), is often attributed to the work of Wolfgang Sachs in the 1990s. As Sachs aptly put it: “While efficiency is about doing things right, sufficiency is about doing the right things” (Sachs 1999, p. xi). The concept was further developed by the work of Thomas Princen, particularly his book “The Logic of Sufficiency” (2005), which conceptualised sufficiency as a social organising principle working as a guideline for societal discussions and questions around constraints to continued growth and expansion.

The Sufficiency and Beyond conference invites contributions that explore the concept of sufficiency in all its dimensions: conceptualisation, operationalisation, methodologies, and practical application. Abstracts may, but are not limited to, develop and explore the concept within and/or between these sectors:

• Food and agriculture
• Digitalisation
• Energy
• Mobility
• Buildings and construction

Contributions focussing on production, consumption or both are welcome. While rooted in the social sciences and humanities, the conference welcomes contributions from all disciplines, particularly where there is an aim to contribute inter- or transdisciplinary.

Note also that the conference size will be limited, and we aim for around 50 participants. If we get many contributions, this might impact our evaluation and selection process of abstracts.

A selection of the abstracts may also be invited to contribute to an edited volume or Special Issue. We will provide more information on this at the conference.

• Call opens: 13-01-2025
• Call closes: 15-02-2025
• SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT HERE: https://forms.office.com/e/zFaLi39J0i

Submission guidelines

Formats: Oral presentation or alternative format. We will cater for oral presentations (of around 15 min each), but we welcome suggestions for alternative formats such as workshops, roundtables or other ideas. We aim to avoid long sessions with a series of 15 min presentations, so formats that are more engaging are highly appreciated.

Length: Max. 3000 characters.

Content: All abstracts should explicitly relate to the conference topic. This is the primary evaluation criterion.

How do I submit? Submit your abstract through this form before February 15^th, 2025

Questions: Feel free to ask Marius Korsnes: marius.korsnes@ntnu.no or Cheng Yu: yu.cheng@ntnu.no anything.

References

Princen, T. (2005), The Logic of Sufficiency, MIT Press

Sachs, W. (1999), Planet Dialectics: Explorations in Environment and Development, Zed Books Ltd, Halifax, N.S.: Johannesburg; London; New York