About
Research Committee on Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy RC19 of the International Sociological Association (ISA) brings together an active and lively community from different fields of social sciences. The purpose is to promote theoretically grounded empirical research on: the sources and character of social problems; the planning and administration of social programs; and more generally, public policies and intervention strategies aimed at alleviating social problems and influencing the society in that regard. The Committee especially encourages comparative and transnational research. Thus, membership to RC19 is open to scholars actively engaged in research and/or teaching on the subjects mentioned above. RC19 holds annual meetings in varying places, and joins the ISA conventions and regional forums on a regular basis.
To contact us, email isa-rc19@isa-sociology.org
Conference small grants
RC19 members in good standing who will be active participants in RC19´s annual conference (chairs, panelists, paper presenters) may apply for a small grant (up to US$ 500) to reimburse parts of their travel expenses/conference fees. Since the number of grants is limited, we will give priority to early-career researchers, postdocs and doctoral students, in this order, and those based in the Global South over the Global North. Eligible members may check the indicate so in the respective annual conference call for papers.
Tobias Schillings Awarded Walter Korpi International Social Policy Prize
Recognised for innovative research on universal healthcare and social trust
Dr. Tobias Schillings has been awarded the Walter Korpi International Social Policy Prize for his paper “Spaces of Equality: A Global Analysis of Universal Healthcare and Social Trust from 2000–2020,” presented at the Research Committee on Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy (RC19) conference in 2024.
Schillings, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Technical University of Munich and a Research Associate at the University of Oxford, was honoured for his contribution to advancing understanding of the relationship between healthcare systems and social trust.
The Walter Korpi International Social Policy Prize is awarded by RC19 of the International Sociological Association and recognizes the best paper presented by an early-stage researcher at an RC19 conference within the past two years. The award includes a monetary prize of USD 500 and a diploma.
In its official statement, the award committee highlighted the importance and originality of Schillings’ work. The committee noted that the paper “has the potential to bridge the gap between health policy and health systems literature and welfare state scholarship” and described it as an innovative contribution addressing key gaps in research on the association between universal welfare states and trust.
The committee reached its decision unanimously.
The award committee members were Menno Fenger (Netherlands), Shireen Hassim (Canada), Tuba Agartan (United States), and Rune Halvorsen (Norway).
Upcoming Events
RC19 annual conference
**Early-bird registration closes on the 30 June, with registration closing on the 14 August ** Social Policy and Transnationalism: Theory, method, politics, policy and practice. Research Committee 19 (RC19) on Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy.
03 Sep 2026 - 05 Sep 2026
University of Birmingham (UK)
University of Birmingham (UK)
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