What if innovation isn't a race to be accelerated, but a rhythm to be composed? The Post-Growth Innovation Lab (PostGrowthLab) of the University of Vigo, together with the International Institute of Social Studies (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and the International Centre for Frugal Innovation, has opened the call for papers for the workshop The Rhythms of Innovation: Explorations into Alternative Imaginaries of Technological Change.
The dominant imperative today is to speed up innovation. But this single, linear rhythm clashes with the polyrhythmic nature of social and ecological systems, and with the cyclical rhythms of reproduction and care, which cannot be hurried without causing harm. The workshop aims to move the debate beyond "fast versus slow" innovation and toward the democratic governance of multiple, simultaneous rhythms, aligned with the conditions for a flourishing post-growth society.
The call invites contributions that conceptualise innovation, technical change and sociotechnical transitions as complex, evolving polyrhythmic symphonies.
The event will bring scholars together in Pontevedra for a day and a half, combining selected paper presentations with an interactive music-science workshop that puts the polyrhythmic approach into practice.
How to take part
Interested researchers must fill in the application form and send an extended abstract (maximum 2,000 words) by 31 December 2026 to visser@iss.nl and mario.pansera@uvigo.gal. Selected contributions will be notified on 15 January 2027.
The call for papers, the application form and further information are available on the Post-Growth Innovation Lab website. (external link)
This activity is co-funded by the University of Vigo through its own research grants for 2026.