[Call for papers] 

The 3rd Conference of the Society of Asian Food Studies & The 16th Asian Food Study Conference

Food Culture in the Age of AI: Heritage, Innovation and Global Dialogue

August 22-23 2026

Conference Notice I

15 April 2026

To whom worked on food studies,

The 3rd Congress of the Asian Food Studies Association and the 16th Asian Food Study Conference will be held on August 22–23, 2026, in Harbin, China.

At a time when artificial intelligence and digital technologies are profoundly reshaping food production, consumption, and communication, the preservation and renewal of traditional culinary knowledge, the stratification and rejuvenation of consumer markets, and the global circulation of Asian food cultures have emerged as shared concerns for both academia and industry. Under the theme “Food Culture in the Age of AI: Heritage, Innovation and Global Dialogue”, the forum will convene food studies scholars and culinary industry representatives from China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, and beyond. Parallel sessions will foster in-depth dialogue among academic research, AI technologies, and cultural tourism.

We sincerely are expecting food researchers, culinary entrepreneurs and interdisciplinary practitioners from around the world to join this gathering.

Main Theme

Food Culture in the Age of AI: Heritage, Innovation and Global Dialogue

Dates

August 22nd – 23rd, 2026 (Sat. – Sun.)

Venue

The conference will take place in Harbin, China. Further details regarding the specific location will be provided in the second announcement at early June.

★ Harbin, a historically and culturally significant city in Northeast China, embodies a unique blend of Chinese and Western culinary traditions, making it an ideal setting for exploring regional food cultures and cross-cultural exchange.

Organization

Hosted by: Society of Asian Food Studies

Co-operated by: Laochujia - Binjiang Official Cuisine Museum

Harbin Culinary Archive Museum

Zhejiang Merchant Institute, Zhejiang Gongshang University

Co-organized by: Institute of Thai Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Heilongjiang Food Culture Research Association

European Etching Collection Museum

(Sponsors and other supports are being confirmed.)

Tentative Program

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Morning: Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speeches

Afternoon: Parallel Sessions (Thematic Presentations + General Papers)

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Morning: Parallel Sessions (Thematic Presentations + General Papers), Closing Ceremony

Afternoon: Harbin City Cultural Tour

Concurrent Events

The 9th Suiyuan Book Award Ceremony

Culinary-Themed Visual Arts Exhibition

Topics for Presentation

• - Living heritage, brand innovation, and sustainable management of traditional culinary practices;

• - AI and smart technologies reshaping the food industry, food service, and consumer behavior;

• - Integration of culinary heritage, gastronomic tourism, and dining scenarios;

• - Traditions and transformations of food culture in Northeast Asia;

• - Diversity, global dissemination, and market adaptation of Asian food cultures;

• - Regional culinary branding, urban cultural development, and local gastronomic advancement;

• - Harbin’s urban memory and the revitalization of its culinary heritage resources;

• - Food-themed visual arts and representational studies;

• - Other topics relevant to food studies.

Important Dates and Deadlines

–  Abstract Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026

–  Formal Invitation with abstract acceptance will be sent from: Eearly June, 2026

–  Early-bird Registration Fee Payment Deadline: June 30, 2026

–  Presentation slides (PPT) Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026

–  Detailed program released: August 15, 2026

Application

Please complete the online reply form via the following link to indicate your intention to attend:

https://forms.office.com/r/ewYB5sgrtk

Registration Fee

Standard Registration: 1,000 RMB

Early-bird Registration: 800 RMB

Payment instructions will be provided in the second announcement in early June.

Note ①: To qualify for the early-bird rate, payment must be completed by 23:59 (Beijing Time) on June 30, 2026. Attendees who are not presenting and student attendees are required to pay the same registration fee.

Note ②: The registration fee includes conference materials, one-year membership in the Asian Food Studies Association, and lunches and refreshments during the conference days. Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of participants.

Call for Collaborators and Sponsors

- We welcome proposals from universities, research institutes, social organizations, and non-profit entities to host parallel sessions. Self-nominations or recommendations for session convenors are encouraged. Students and early-career scholars are particularly invited to submit innovative proposals for presentation.

- We invite representatives from food, beverage, and food service enterprises in China and abroad to participate as sponsors, exhibitors, or co-organizers of parallel sessions.

- Interested parties should contact the Secretariat with a curriculum vitae or organizational profile, a list of at least three distinguished scholars (preferably from diverse disciplines, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds) relevant to the conference theme, and a preliminary proposal for the parallel session or concurrent event (minimum two A4 pages).