The Institute of Global Homelessness will hold its first bi-annual research conference from June 1 – 2, 2015 in Chicago. The conference, Homelessness in a Global Landscape, will explore broad themes in global homelessness, with an eye to narrowing the focus in subsequent years. We will convene a by-invitation cohort of 100 researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with the aim of deepening engagement across the three groups.

In addition to spreading insights and approaches across regions, the Institute’s first conference will establish a community of leaders and reinforce a shared vision of ending homelessness globally.

Important dates

• Paper title and abstract due: December 20, 2014, 5pm GMT
• Notification to presenters: Feb 15, 2015
• Powerpoint and presenter bios due: April 25, 2015, 5pm GMT
• Final paper due at the IGH conference: June 1 – 2, 2015

Call for papers

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of papers that develop or present an approach to solving homelessness and/or its related challenges. This may include approaches at the local or country level, related to policy or implementation. IGH has purposefully avoided a narrow theme this year in an effort to elicit a rich and diverse array of topics within homelessness.

Examples could include, but are absolutely not limited to, topics such as:


• Strategies to address the needs of street youth
• Strategies to end rough sleeping
• Housing solutions for people with complex support needs
• Using data to improve housing placement rates

Please note the following limitations:

• Submissions should examine policy and/or practice implications rather than being strictly conceptual.
• Submissions need not be comparative, but should have potential relevance to more than one country or region.
• Submissions may be based on original research or synthesis.
• Papers are expected to be presented in English. However, if you would like to present in another language, please note this on your submission for consideration.

Proposals will be selected on the basis of these criteria and the extent to which they contribute to a diverse yet well-balanced program. Authors from all countries and regions are encouraged to apply. IGH will accept up to twelve papers.

Authors of accepted proposals will present their work during the conference, and finished papers will be posted online and published in the conference proceedings. Attendees are generally expected to finance their own travel to the conference, but there is no conference registration fee. Travel grants may be available in exceptional cases.

Submission guidelines

Prospective presenters must include the following in their proposal:

• A session title of 70 characters or less
• An abstract describing the research topic, of 500 words or less
• Your name, professional affiliation (if applicable), email and telephone number
• A current CV
• If available, names of any co-authors and/or co-presenters

Please send all materials to kjohnson@ighomelessness.org.

About the Institute of Global Homelessness

The Institute of Global Homelessness supports people around the world to end homelessness by bridging research and action, cultivating and connecting determined local leaders, and matching expertise to need. IGH is a partnership between DePaul University in Chicago and Depaul International, an NGO based in London.

The Institute of Global Homelessness Advisory Committee

• Louise Casey, Head, UK Government’s Troubled Families programme (Chair)
• Jay Braatz, VP for Planning and Presidential Administration, DePaul University
• Rosanne Haggerty, President, Community Solutions
• Mark McGreevy, Group Chief Executive, Depaul International

The Institute of Global Homelessness Research Steering Committee

• Jeremy Swain, CEO, Thames Reach (Co-Chair)
• Nan Roman, President, National Alliance to End Homelessness (Co-Chair)
• Dennis P. Culhane, Professor of Social Policy, University of Pennsylvania
• Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Professor, Heriot-Watt University
• Stephen Gaetz, Professor, York University
• Volker Busch-Geertsema, GISS, Bremen (European Observatory on Homelessness)
• Tim Richter, CEO, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness