The University of Nebraska will host the 5th Global Heroism Studies Conference, the main biennial event for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of Heroism Science.
September 15-16, 2025
University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center
Theme: “Heroic Behavior in Theory and in Practice”
We’re delighted that our conference will begin with a keynote lecture by Catherine Sanderson, Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College and author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels.
Call for Papers, Panels, and Posters
The program committee is interested in all proposals related to the conference theme “Heroic Behavior in Theory and in Practice” from across all academic disciplines and practices.
Broad topic areas that may be covered in the conference include, but are not limited to: Everyday Heroism; Theorizing Heroic Behavior; Practical Applications of Heroism Studies; Historic, Cultural, and Literary Heroes; Heroism and Social Science; Heroism and Positive Psychology; Social Justice and Heroism; Heroism and Social Psychology; Challenges of or Barriers to Heroic Behavior; Human Rights and Heroism; Heroic Imagination.
Abstract submission is now closed.
All submissions will be reviewed by our program committee with decisions sent out by the end of May. Once your abstract is accepted for the conference, you will also be invited to send a full draft of your paper to be considered for publication in our flagship journal, Heroism Science. Please refer to the “Guidelines for Contributors” to shape your proposed article.
Registration
- General admission $75
- Graduate students $25
- Undergraduate students free
Schedule
September 15
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Keynote Lecture Professor Catherine Sanderson |
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10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 1: Psychology Research on Heroic Behavior
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11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Unity Room, JGMC | Lunch On your own |
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 2: Individual Stories of Heroism
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 3: The Hero’s Journey
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4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 4: Storytelling, Empathy, and Heroic Action
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September 16
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 5: Heroism Across Cultures
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10:30 - Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 6: Heroism and the Holocaust
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11:30 a.m. - Unity Room, JGMC | Lunch “Lunch and Learn with the Heroic Imagination Project” |
1:00 - Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 7: Freedom Fighters and Terrorists
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2:30 - Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 8: Costs of Heroism
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4:00 - Ubuntu Room, JGMC | Panel 9: Future Directions of Heroism Studies Allison, Condren, Gudgel, Pascoe, Rombouts, and Thorkildsen |
Keynote Speaker: Catherine Sanderson
"Merely Bystanders: The Psychology of Courage and Inaction"
Sept. 15, 9:00 a.m.
Catherine Sanderson is Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College. She is the author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels, published by Harvard University Press.
Accomodations
The Graduate by Hilton Lincoln
- $114 with breakfast
- Rooms available for Sunday, Sept. 14 to Tuesday, Sept. 16
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About
In 2016 Scott Allison, Peter Le Breton, and Olivia Efthimiou held the First Biennial Heroism Science Conference in Perth, Australia. This inaugural event suggested to all that in order to fully understand heroic action, a deeper trans-paradigmatic approach would be required that could bring together methods and approaches of the arts, the humanities, and the sciences.
Heroism Science is a peer-reviewed open source research journal that aims to advance heroism studies theory, research, and application from a broad range of disciplinary perspectives to researchers and the broader community.
Contact
Ari Kohen
akohen2@unl.edu
Sponsors
- Harris Center for Judaic Studies
- Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs