The International Society of Cultural-historical Activity Research

About ISCAR

ISCAR is a global organization that brings together scholars and practitioners across disciplines and walks of life, engaged in just transitions to sustain life on the planet. 

It fosters the century-old tradition of cultural-historical and activity-theoretical research in educational settings, work and communities. 

It operates at three levels of governance with country representatives, regional coordinators and an executive board. 

Members meet in national events as well as in regional conferences and a triennial international conference. 

Welcome!

Madrid, Spain, 17-19 September 2026

ISCARIBÉRICO 2026

Es un placer comunicaros que estamos poniendo en marcha la organización del VI ISCAR Ibérico. Como sabéis en la reunión ISCAR 2024 en Rotterdam se reactivó la sección mediterránea y de oriente próximo, organizando un encuentro en Barcelona en noviembre del año pasado. Para que no colapsaran nuestras agendas pensamos apurar las fechas y organizar nuestro ISCAR Ibérico a mediados de septiembre, concretamente entre el 17 y el 19, en las instalaciones que la UAM tiene en La Corrala - MATP en el barrio La Latina.

En estas dos últimas reuniones de las diferentes secciones de nuestra sociedad internacional de investigación dentro de un enfoque socio-cultural, se ha puesto énfasis en la inclusión y en la equidad. En nuestro caso, queremos retomar esos énfasis pero orientados hacia los aspectos más vinculares y emocionales, más ligados a las artes y a la creatividad. En cualquier caso, no hay que olvidar que la palabra latina Ars -origen de Arte- fue la que se uso para traducir la palabra griega de Techne, origen de técnica. La idea sería poder reequilibrar los usos de los sistemas de mediaciones culturales para recuperar una visión más integral de la naturaleza humana.

Conference website

Berlin, Germany, 24-25 September 2026

ISCAR 2026 Central Europe Regional Conference

Theme: Development, acceleration and alienation: Cultural-historical Activity Research on Temporality and Intersubjectivity

In a highly automated social world in which countless interactions take place simultaneously, communication and decisions are optimized by algorithms and everyone and everything appears to be constantly accessible and available, the conference will examine the connection between temporality and intersubjectivity.

Conference website

Helsingør/Elsinore, Denmark, 4-6 October 2026

CHACDOC Thematic Section Conference

Theme: Perspectives on a Good Life for Children

The aim of the conference is to explore what is a good life for children, where the dynamics between children’s social situation and social situation of development is considered. A central theme to be explored at the conference is how societal norms and values contribute to creating a child’s zone of proximal development in everyday life.

Conference website

Membership

Individuals and institutions can join ISCAR as via Ordinary Membership or Institutional Membership with a regular or reduced (student) fee.

The fees are instrumental to generate grants for members who could otherwise not join ISCAR International and Regional Conferences to present their work.

Membership benefits and responsibilities

Membership fees and instructions

Messages from ISCAR

ISCAR, its President and members of its executive committee will never contact members directly asking for money. Please be aware that fake messages claiming to be from ISCAR have been circulated. We strongly advise all our members and partners to stay vigilant. Always double check the validity of any communication that appears suspicious. Please only use the contact channels listed on our website.