Next System Studies

Next System Studies at GMU

March 20, 2026

Earlier this month, we gathered at the Tabard Inn for Next System Nights—an evening of connection, conversation, and shared purpose. Thanks to everyone who joined, and to those who couldn’t, we’ve posted photos from the night. We’ve also shared videos from the ESS panel “Teaching and Learning In, About, and Beyond Crisis.”

Looking ahead: mark your calendars for the Sociology Program’s 3rd Annual Emerging Scholars Symposium, March 25–26, 2026. Three emerging scholars, three compelling talks. More details below—hope to see you there.

FEATURED

April Doner - Weaving: A Holistic Approach to Societal Transformation

April Doner, Director of Programs at the Center for Next System Studies will discuss community resilience and trasnformation in times of crisis.

Next System Nights at the Tabard Inn

Saturday, March 7th, in Washington, D.C., a group of committed thinkers, organizers, and doers gathered at the historic (and employee owned) Tabard Inn for a special night. The evening was a vibrant blend of meaningful conversation, good company, and shared purpose, made all the more memorable by the unique charm of the venue.

3rd Annual Emerging Scholars Symposium

Join us March 25–26 for the Sociology Program’s 3rd Annual Emerging Scholars Symposium!

Announcing the 2026 Next System Speaker Series!

Next System Studies welcomes April Doner, Dr. Matt Burke, Hannah Gokaslan, and Nairuti Shastry as this year's guests for our 2026 Next System Speakers series!

Between Labor, Love, and Decent Work: Domestic Worker Organizing across National Contexts 

Kritika Pandey, University of Southern California

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT

Johnson Center, Meeting Room F

Join us for the second presentation in our third annual Emerging Scholars Symposium

Details

Biased from the Beginning: Disparities in Mental Health Language in Clinical Notes, an Original Video Vignette Survey Experiment

Fatima Fairfax, Duke University

Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT

Johnson Center, Meeting Room F

Join us for the third presentation in our third annual Emerging Scholars Symposium.

Details

More American Than Whom? Race, Status, and National Identity

Dr. Victoria S. Asbury-Kimmel, New York University

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

Johnson Center, Meeting Room E

Join us for the first talk in our third annual Emerging Scholars Symposium

Details

Next System Speaker Series

April Doner - Weaving: A Holistic Approach to Societal Transformation

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

April Doner, Director of Programs at the Center for Next System Studies will discuss community resilience and trasnformation in times of crisis.

Details

Dr. Matt Burke and Hannah Gokaslan - Degrowth and the Next System

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

Dr. Matt Burke and Hannah Gokaslan will join the Next System Fellows to discuss degrowth as a strategy for system change and next system design.

Details

Nairuti Shastry - An Introduction to Community Wealth Building

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

Fuse at Mason Square

Nairuti Shastry from the Center for Economic Democracy (CED) introducing community wealth building as a strategy to transform our relationship to land, labor, and capital.

Details