Smart Cities, Human Futures

CALL FOR PAPERS - Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC), 14th Edition, 2026 - December 9-11

Video CfP here: https://youtube.com/shorts/gOZZWPHuQRI

The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), Faculty of Public Administration, Smart-EDU Hub, cordially invites you to the 14th edition of the Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) - entitled "Smart Cities, Human Futures", which will be held on December 9-11, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania.

Participation in the conference is open to academics, policy makers, early-stage researchers, and students in social sciences and other related fields. Experts in comparative public administration and elected officials of local governments are strongly encouraged to engage and submit their contributions to one of the conference tracks. This edition places a special emphasis on longitudinal studies of digital reforms, both locally and globally. Successful submissions may also address topics such as e-government, e-democracy, social innovation, and urban planning and development.

CONFERENCE TRACKS

• Smart Governance;
• Smart Environment;
• Smart Technology;
• Smart Economy;
• Smart People;
• Smart Mobility;
• Smart Living;
• Smart Education;
• Young Leaders for Smart Cities (open to students and early-stage researchers);
• Future trends – Smart(er) State.

The language of the Conference is English. Abstracts and articles may be submitted also in Romanian, provided that their presentation is made in English. Templates for abstracts and articles are available here.

Information regarding the registration process is available here.

PUBLICATION

All submitted articles undergo a peer review process: please refer to the timeline of the Conference for more information. Contributions accepted for publication will be included in the conference proceedings. Selected papers may also be published in our internationally indexed Partner Journals:

• Smart Cities and Regional Development Journal (SCRD)
• Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings
• Journal of E-Technology
• Strategic Impact

There is no participation or publication fee.

NB. Our initial recommendation for the authors of SCIC is to derive inspiration from previously published articles within the SCRD Journal and previous editions of the SCIC Proceedings volumes to address topics relevant to the SCIC conference.

DOCTORAL WORKSHOP

PhD. candidates are invited to the dedicated Doctoral Workshop of the conference, event that will be held on December 3th, 2025. This new section is considered to be a vital part of our conference, providing a unique platform for emerging scholars to present their research, share innovative ideas, and engage with experts in the field. The workshop will also host lectures from senior researchers on communication skills, research tools and instruments that should be in each scholar toolbox in the new era of Generative AI. 

Best presented papers will be awarded. Selection award criteria include: originality of the topic, rigorous and innovative research design, policy impact of expected results.

ERASMUS FUNDING

Conference funding may be provided to promote transnational mobility activities targeting staff (professors, teachers, trainers, youth workers, and people working in organizations active in the education, training and youth fields). More info here.

VENUE

We are delighted to welcome you to Bucharest, Romania, for an exceptional conference held across two distinguished venues. The main event, including keynote addresses and plenary sessions, will be hosted at the Romanian Palace of Parliament – the world's most famous parliamentary building. Additionally, specialized sessions, workshops, and the Doctoral Workshop will take place at the modern vertical campus of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), conveniently located at 30A Expoziției Boulevard, Bucharest.

TIMELINE

July 2026: Open Call for Contributions

September 2026: Open registration to the Conference

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

• Professor Catalin VRABIE, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest – Chair of the Conference;
• PhD. Luminița MOVANU, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest - secretariat;
• PhD. Florentina PANĂ-MICU, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest - secretariat;
• PhD. candidate Georgiana Madalina MIHAILA, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest - secretariat;

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE & REVIEWERS TEAM

• Professor Vasile BALTAC, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest;
• Professor Lasse BERNTZEN, University of South-Eastern Norway;
• Professor Robert MÜLLER-TÖRÖK, University of Public Administration and Finance Ludwigsburg, Germany;
• Professor Florina PÎNZARU, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest;
• Professor Alexander PROSSER, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria
• Professor Christian SCHACHTNER, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Wiesbaden, Germany;
• Professor Nicoleta CORBU, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest;
• Professor Adrian FLOREA, University "Lucian Blaga" of Sibiu;
• Professor Marta-Christina SUCIU, Bucharest University of Economic Studies;
• Professor Jacek MAŚLANKOWSKI, University of Gdańsk, Poland;
• Professor Florin Codruț NEMȚANU, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest;
• Professor Mauro ROMANELLI, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy;
• Professor Milena YORDANOVA-KRUMOVA, Technical University-Sofia, Bulgaria;
• Professor Tamás KAISER, University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary;
• Professor Ana-Maria BERCU, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania;
• Professor Mălina CIOCEA, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest;
• Professor Catalin VRABIE, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest;
• Lecturer Miranda HARIZAJ, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania;
• Assistant professor Nikola VANGELOV, St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria;
• Andrea BECCALLI, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

CONTACT DETAILS

E-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web address: https://www.smart-edu-hub.eu/scic14 | 
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/smartcitieshub
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@smart-edu-hub