SAM 2026 – The 20th Edition Comes to Liège

HELMo Gramme, in partnership with the University of Liège, is proud to co-organise the 20th Society and Materials (SAM) International Conference, taking place in Liège on 26–27 May 2026.

For anyone passionate about materials, sustainability, and life cycle thinking, this landmark edition promises two days of rich discussions, cutting-edge research, and interdisciplinary exchange.

About the Conference

For nearly two decades, the SAM conference series has brought together researchers, academics, and professionals from across the globe to explore the complex links between materials and society.

The conference acts as a global forum for innovation and reflection, bridging disciplines such as engineering, social sciences, economics, and environmental studies. Over the years, it has produced around 800 scientific contributions and helped shape key ideas in sustainability, life cycle thinking, and material systems.

SAM is more than a conference: it is a laboratory of ideas, where emerging methodologies, paradigm shifts, and societal challenges are critically examined.

A Strong Interdisciplinary Focus

At the heart of SAM lies a commitment to pluridisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Contributions span a wide range of fields - from thermodynamics and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to ethics, governance, and social sciences.

Established approaches such as Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and LCA remain central, with a focus on innovative methodologies, forward-looking perspectives and impactful case studies.

Researchers combining multiple disciplines in novel ways are especially encouraged, reflecting SAM’s tradition of intellectual curiosity and bold thinking.

Main Themes of SAM 2026

The 20th edition will explore key topics at the intersection of materials, sustainability, and society, including:

• New developments in Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis, and related methods
• Emerging social, environmental, and economic sustainability indicators
• Integration of environmental and societal externalities into economic systems
• Eco-design and eco-innovation
• Circular economy and sustainable business models
• Responsible research and innovation in materials science
• Governance, public participation, and societal engagement
• Gender issues, material culture, and societal dynamics
• Open science, citizen science, and scientific citizenship
• Contributions from Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), including history, geography, and archaeometallurgy

SAM 2026 continues a long-standing tradition of critical thinking, experimentation, and knowledge sharing. The researchers, students and practitioners that will attend this conference will be offered a unique opportunity to engage with an international scientific community, discover innovative approaches and research results, and contribute to discussions shaping the future of materials and society.