Pre-conference workshop @ II Association for Evolutionary Economics (AFEE) South American Conference

YSI Pre-Conference Workshop @ AFEE South American Conference
São Paulo State University – Araraquara/Brazil | 26 May 2026

The YSI Pre-Conference Workshop @ AFEE South American Conference will be focussed on a central and thought-provoking segment of Original Institutional Economics (OIE): Radical Institutionalism. This tradition reengages with the foundational insights of early institutionalists and their far-reaching critiques of the capitalist structuring of economic life. As global capitalism again reaches a critical crossroads, gaining a solid understanding of the history, meaning, and propositions of Radical Institutionalism offers an important pathway for grasping both: (1) a key current within OIE; and (2) the problems and challenges facing contemporary capitalism.

Radical Institutionalism has been shaped by scholars around the world, with particularly influential contributions emerging from the United States and Brazil. Reflecting this intellectual tradition, the workshop’s speakers are primarily leading institutionalists from both countries. Among them, William Waller stands out as a central figure in the field, a committed radical institutionalist since the 1980s, a key voice in contemporary Original Institutional Economics, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Economic Issues. The workshop will conclude with a special round table dedicated to guiding participants on how to prepare and position their research for submission to high-quality heterodox journals.

Pre-Conference Workshop Sessions:

• Foundations and Early Development of Radical Institutionalism – Felipe Almeida (UFPR) and Manuel Ramon S. Luz (UFOP-UFABC)
• The Resurgence of Radical Institutionalism: A First-Person Testimony– William Waller (Hobart and William Smith Colleges)
• The Resurgence of Radical Institutionalism: Theory and Applications – Jacob Powell (Buckwell University) and Beliza Borba de Almeida (Hobart and William Smith Colleges)
• Round Table: How to Prepare Your Paper for Submission to High-Quality Heterodox Journals – William Waller (Hobart and William Smith Colleges – Journal of Economic Issues) and Hugo Iasco-Pereira (UFPR – Former Editor-in-Chief, Brazilian Keynesian Review)

Application Process

Applicants to the Workshop are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (400–500 words). In your statement, please outline your academic interests, explain why you wish to take part in the workshop, and describe how the activities and discussions planned for the event connect to your current or future research goals.

The deadline for submission is February 28th, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by March 14th, 2026.

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, and early-career scholars (within five years of PhD completion).

Important:

1. Shared accommodation for selected participants will be provided for the duration of the pre-conference only.
2. Travel expenses are the responsibility of each participant.