About the Forum
At a time when global society is confronted with multiple and compounding uncertainties, design has moved beyond its traditional aesthetic and functional domains to become a critical force driving systemic transformation and catalyzing social innovation. Following the successful convening of the previous two editions in Hong Kong and the consolidation of broad international academic consensus, this year’s forum will be held in Kyoto—a city that uniquely integrates rich cultural heritage with vibrant contemporary design practices. The forum is organized by Michelangelo Scholar Publishing Limited (MSPL) and co-organized by the Macau Asia Design Society. The theme, “Evolving with Problems: Design Resilience and Cultural Inclusivity in an Era of Uncertainty,” centers on three key dimensions of service design in social innovation: theoretical frontiers, methodological innovation, and practical application. The forum aims to further expand cross-cultural dialogue, deepen understanding of design research and practice, and promote the sustainable development of social innovation.
This forum will bring together globally influential scholars in service design, social innovation, and related interdisciplinary fields, alongside industry leaders with forward-looking perspectives and practitioners with extensive hands-on experience. The program encompasses multiple levels of academic exchange, including keynote addresses delivered by internationally renowned scholars and practitioners; parallel sessions and roundtable discussions designed to foster in-depth dialogue and intellectual exchange; academic poster exhibitions showcasing the latest research developments; and publication opportunities through MSPL’s portfolio of international academic journals, ensuring the wide dissemination and scholarly impact of high-quality research outcomes.
In addition, the forum features a dedicated Kyoto cultural field study, involving on-site visits to local traditional cultural venues and contemporary design education institutions. This component is intended to encourage participants to reflect on the historical trajectories and contemporary practices of design within a cross-cultural context, and to further stimulate theoretical inquiry and practical insights into the dynamic relationship between local wisdom and global challenges.
We cordially invite scholars and professionals from around the world to gather in Kyoto and engage with this forum as a shared platform to collectively envision the future directions of service design and social innovation. Through academic rigor, practical innovation, and cultural specificity, the forum seeks to contribute knowledge and expertise toward building a more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable society.
Main topics
Scope of submission
Forum Theme: Evolving with Problems: Design Resilience and Cultural Inclusivity in an Era of Uncertainty
Key Topics:
1. Design as a mediating approach to social problems
2. New methods and theories of design intervention in social innovation
3. Uncertainty in the resolution of complex social problems
4. Design resilience and cultural inclusivity
The forum invites submissions from around the world, including academic papers, practice-based case studies, and poster presentations (English submissions only) that are closely aligned with the forum theme and key topics. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Accepted contributions will be presented during the forum in the form of oral presentations, poster sessions, or public exhibitions.
Accepted papers will be published free of charge in MSPL-affiliated academic journals, including the Journal of Design Service and Social Innovation and the Journal of Architecture and Urban Design.
Important Dates
Submission time
Abstract submission (250–300 words) deadline: April 20, 2026
Full paper submission deadline: July 20, 2026
Manuscript submission emails:m.scholar2023@gmail.com；mspl-editor@michelangelo-scholar.com
Acceptance notifications and the detailed program will be announced in due course.
Manuscript requirements
Language: English (including abstract, keywords, main text, and references).
Type: Unpublished original academic papers, practice-based case studies, or poster abstracts.
Length: Approximately 8,000 words for full papers (including figures and tables); 1–2 pages for poster submissions.
Format: A4 size, single-column layout.
Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt for main text; 14 pt, bold for the title; bold for first-level headings.
Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides.
Line spacing: 1.5.
Structure: Title; author information (name, affiliation, email); abstract (250–350 words); keywords (4–6); introduction; main body; conclusion; references (Chicago style). Figures and tables are essential components of the manuscript and must be of high quality, embedded within the text, numbered consecutively, and accompanied by copyright statements.
File format: Microsoft Word (.docx). Please follow the manuscript formatting guidelines of MSPL journals as provided on the MSPL website.
Peer review and academic integrity: All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review, with emphasis on originality, scholarly rigor, and relevance to the forum theme. AI-generated manuscripts and fabricated references are strictly prohibited. Submissions with a similarity index exceeding 10% or containing AI-generated content will be rejected.
Date and Location
As a millennium-old center of Eastern culture and a contemporary hub of design innovation, Kyoto offers a unique and inspiring academic and cultural setting for this forum, where traditional wisdom and modern practices converge and interact.
Main Activities
1.Keynote Lectures: Thematic presentations by internationally renowned design scholars and leading practitioners.
2.Parallel Sessions and Roundtable Discussions: Research presentations and scholarly exchange among early-career and emerging researchers.
3.Academic Poster Exhibition and Paper Publication: All accepted papers will be published free of charge in MSPL-affiliated international academic journals.
4.Kyoto Cultural Field Study: On-site visits to Japanese traditional cultural sites and contemporary design education institutions (subject to the final program).
Date and Venue
Date: August 6-8，2026 (the detailed schedule will be announced in the final program)
Venue: Hearton Hotel Kyoto，hybrid format
Organizer：MICHELANGELO SCHOLAR PUBLISHING LIMITED (MSPL)
Co-organizer: Macao Asian Design Association
Registration Fee
Registration can only be completed via email after the abstract or full paper has successfully passed double-blind peer review.
Early-bird registration (by April 30, 2026): USD 500 per person
Group registration (by June 30, 2026; applicable to groups of three or more): USD 550 per person
Forum attendance only (no submission): USD 550 per person
Standard registration (by August 1, 2026): USD 600 per person
Registration fee waiver: Participants of the previous two MSPL Hong Kong International Forums may apply for a registration fee waiver via email.
Notes:
International forums organized by MSPL are non-profit academic events, aiming to enhance the publisher’s academic reputation and the international impact of its scholarly journals. After completing one paid registration, participants may apply for a registration fee waiver for future annual international forums organized by MSPL. All participants are entitled to attend the welcome dinner and academic networking reception.
