Our activities

The IASC encourages intellectual exchange on policy applications and commons issues through a number of activities.

Global, regional, and thematic IASC-conferences

The IASC supports local organizers in the organization of global, regional, or thematic conferences. The IASC-Secretariat takes care of logistics such as registration and conference fee payments, so the local organizers can focus on the content and local details of the conference. Global conferences are held every two years (2017: Utrecht, Netherlands; 2019: Lima, Peru), and attract 600-800 participants from all over the world. Regional and thematic conferences (usually 2-3 days) are held in between the biennial conferences and are focused on a specific region (e.g. Africa, South-America, the Arctic), or on a specific theme (e.g. urban commons, knowledge commons) and attract about 150 participants. Interested in organizing an IASC-conference? Contact the IASC Secretariat via iasc@iasc-commons.org For an overview of past conferences, click here.

IASC-workshops

The IASC also endorses smaller events, such as workshops, lectures, summer courses, etc., either via logistical or administrative support, or via endorsement as organizing partner. Do you intend to organize an event you want the IASC to be involved in? Do send your suggestions to the IASC via iasc@iasc-commons.org

Publication of the International Journal of the Commons

IASC is the publisher of the interdisciplinary, open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal International Journal of the Commons. The International Journal of the Commons (impact factor 2015: 1.792) is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal, dedicated to furthering the understanding of institutions for use and management of resources that are (or could be) enjoyed collectively. These resources may be part of the natural world (e.g. forests, climate systems, or the oceans) or they may be created (e.g. infrastructures such as irrigation systems, the internet or (scientific) knowledge, for example of the sort that is published in open-access journals).

Networking and databases

Through its wide and varied membership, the IASC offers you ample opportunities to get connected with fellow researchers and practitioners working on commons from all over the world an from a wide range of disciplines. As a member, you can find fellow-experts and more info via our members directory.

The Commons Digest

With the new website, the Commons Digest has been fully integrated into this website. You can reed the latest articles by fellow-members on commons issues, bibliographies, book reviews et cetera.

Digital Library of the Commons

The IASC is supporter of the Digital Library of the Commons (DLC). The DLC is a gateway to the international literature on the commons. The DLC acts as a repository and provides free and open access to full-text articles, (conference) papers, and dissertations on commons issues.