Organized by the Sustainable Change Research Network
Title: RECONSTRUCTING THE SELF: The Commercialization and Digitalization of Identities amidst the Collapse
Venue: Monte Verita, Ascona, Switzerland
Date : Three days: 18-20 November 2025
Begins 12.00 with welcome lunch on Tuesday 18 November
All day, Wednesday 19 November
Ends 13.00 after lunch on Thursday 20 November
Estimated Attendance: Min 15, Max 30
Format:
All participants will be invited and expected to make a presentation. There will be a single plenary group (no parallel sessions), in Sala Balint. Presentation lengths will vary from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, at the discretion of the Committee. Supportive atmosphere for scholars of different career-stages and disciplines, as well as cultural backgrounds.
Colloquium Committee
Dr David Skrbina, University of Helsinki, Finland (Chair)
Prof Dr Andreas Scherer, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Prof Dr Pasi Heikkurinen, LUT University, Finland
Associate Prof Dr Herman Stål, Umeå University, Sweden
Dr Lisa Juangbhanich, University College London, UK
Dr Candidate Kiira Parikka, LUT University, Finland
-
Natural sciences tell us that the world is undergoing drastic changes in terms of the global ecosystem. The drivers of the weakening state of the planet are claimed to be the growing number of humans, extraction and exploitation of natural resources, increasing consumption and production, widespread neglect of externalities, and our (mis-)perceptions of material wealth. Yet, the individual, it seems, is not ready to face these challenges, but is both the driver of, and victim of, a socio-technological system that continuously reframes and refashions individual identities.
The commercialization and digitalization of human activities have been enabled by the development of advanced technology. Yet, in the contemporary age, our lifeworlds are more and more penetrated by digital means and machines that (re-)form our development as autonomous minds and bodies.
Thus, we face some central questions: What is “the self” in this modern world? What does it signify to be a human being in the middle of these processes of commercialization and digitalization? What is (and should be) our purpose and meaning as individuals today, and in the future? Is there a new essence and new relations of self-conception that are relevant for solving some of the pressing issues for people and the planet? How should we reconstruct the identities of homo economicus and homo faber? Can we find a way to understand ourselves that is not confined to technology and economics?
In this transdisciplinary colloquium, we are seeking to reconceive the human individual and human collectives in a sufficiency sense—of ‘enoughness,’ broadly speaking. We will, for example, explore the notion of homo satis: a new construction of the self which builds on experiences of finitude and the idea of enoughness in the global society. And we will explore such notions as happiness that are discussed as alternative, non-economic approaches to measuring human well-being. And there may be yet other conceptions that are viable to address these challenges and to change the future prospects for people and planet—that is, from dystopia toward utopia.
To live a sustainable, dignified, and meaningful life requires not only an embeddedness in a diverse and healthy environment but a mature understanding of the human condition vis-a-vis social processes of self-construction. In an age of commercialization and digitalization, we are called upon to illuminate those actors, practices, and structures that can support the emergence of a new construction of the self.
We call for presentation abstracts particularly from (but not limited to) the following disciplines and fields, to discuss the many aspects of commercialization and digitalization:
Anthropology
Cultural anthropology
Social anthropology
Theories of evolution
Economics and management
Business ethics
Corporate social responsibility
Ecological economics
Happiness economics
Organization theory
Philosophy
Environmental ethics
Deep ecology
Philosophy of technology
Metaethics
Phenomenology
Psychology
Eco-psychology
Gestalt therapy
Trauma and tragedy
Unconscious
Sociology
Critical theory
Decolonial theory
Life-course research
Theories of practice
Other
Degrowth studies
Ecological feminism
Science and technology studies
Sustainability science
Political ecology
-
In addition to the above formal agenda, we have a few side events planned, or optional additions, for those who are interested or can extend their stay:
Tuesday 18 November:
Tea ceremony, 17.00 to 18.00, Monte Verita (Casa del Té).
Dinner in Conference Center (3-course dinner, 51 CHF per person, extra).
Wednesday 19 November:
Dinner on Ascona waterfront: 18.00 to 20.00, Osteria Nostrana (menu, extra).
Thursday 20 November:
Check-out of Monte Verita room, circa 13.00.
Ascona village center, for drinks (14.00 to 15.00).
Bus ride to Locarno city center (15 minutes):
Catch train, for those departing.
Check in to hotel, for those who can stay one more night (Ibis Hotel, Hotel City, or Hotel Dell’Angelo—all about 120 CHF/night extra).
Coffee on Locarno waterfront (Al Porto), 16.00 to 17.00.
Dinner in Locarno center (Perbacco), 18.00 to 20.00.
-
600 CHF (640 euro) per person. This covers:
Conference fee of 100 euro.
Room, Monte Verita conference center, 2 nights (single or shared double)
· Lunch, 3 days
· Coffee breaks in meeting room, 3 days
Transportation to/from Monte Verita (self-funded):
Get to Zurich or Milan Malpensa. Then train to Locarno (circa 2.5 hours, 35 CHF [Milan] or 65 CHF [Zurich], one-way).
From Locarno train station, taxi or shuttle bus to Monte Verita (5 km, circa 30 CHF).
-
Enrollment period: 1 March to 30 April, 2025
Prospective participants must apply and receive admission by submitting a 200- to 300-word abstract in a separate Word or PDF file to suchresearch@gmail.com. Please include your name and institutional affiliation, as well as a short bio (circa 50 words).
Admission decisions will be sent to all applicants by: 15 May 2025
Applications after this date will be considered on a provisional basis only.