Since 2001, ICSA has collaborated with Info-Cult, a Canadian partner, in the organization of our international conferences.
On the occasion of its 45th anniversary, Info-Cult will host the next upcoming annual conference in Montreal, Canada.
July 2-5, 2025
Cultic Phenomena and Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Understanding for Better Intervention
(Subject to change. More sessions and workshops to be added.)
Registration
Conference registration is now open.
All ticket holders will receive the full recording set of the conference.
You can purchase your General Admission ticket ($375 USD) here.
For Member Rate tickets ($325 USD), Student Rate tickets ($145), or for Capellini Scholarship tickets ($145 USD, limited quantity), please contact us: mail@icsamail.com.
The call for proposals is now closed.
You can view the call for proposals here.
Conference Proposal Selection Process
The Call for Proposals is open to the public, with submissions reviewed by a selection committee consisting of 5–7 members. This committee includes both ICSA Board Members and non-Board Members from the cultic studies field to ensure a balanced evaluation.
Each submission is rated individually by all reviewers, with scores averaged to determine a final rating. Submissions that meet or exceed the median score are considered for acceptance. Additional selection criteria include prioritizing first-time speakers and researchers, as well as proposals that introduce new information or fresh perspectives to the field.
This structured approach ensures a fair and comprehensive review process, fostering innovative discussions while supporting emerging voices in cultic studies.
Conference Program
See our preliminary agenda here.
Subject to change.
More sessions and workshops are being added, and the finalized agenda will be published in advance of the conference.
Location
The conference will take place in the Sherbrooke Building of the Coeur des Sciences of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM)* at 200 rue Sherbrooke West.
Parking is available at 2020 rue Saint-Urbain. Find more info here .
The nearest metro station is at Place des Arts.
* N.B. This event is not organized or sponsored by the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Accommodations
Take advantage of a special rate at the Delta Hotel at 475 Av. du Président-Kennedy, which is a five minutes’ walk from the conference location.
This rate will be available until June 10 (or until rooms sell out) and applies to stays from June 29 through July 8.
Book early, as Montreal is a very popular summer vacation location, especially during the Jazz Festival.
Traveling from abroad?
Verify if you need travel documents to enter Canada. Please notify us if you need an attestation from the conference organizers to secure a visa.
Tourism and Extracurricular Events
Interested in seeing the sights while you’re in Montreal? Here are a few suggestions.
Montréal International Jazz Festival
The conference is taking place in the same neighbourhood as the International Jazz Festival (June 26 to July 5, 2025), which includes numerous free outdoor concerts.
River Cruise
We are planning an outing on the St. Lawrence River on Sunday July 6, 2025. More details coming soon. Le Bateau Mouche
And much more!
Montreal is a city rich in museums, music, food, circuses, theaters, green spaces, and much more. For further recommendations, check out what Tourism Montreal has to offer.
Local Food Tours
Treat yourself to the best culinary experiences that Montreal has to offer. Register at Local Montreal Food Tours. Once you have registered, contact info@infosecte.org to obtain a special promo code for up to 20% off!
ICSA's annual conference is THE event in this field. The annual conference is typically three days in length with pre-conference workshops for former group members, researchers, mental health professionals, and educators.
Most annual conferences draw 200 to 300 attendees from around the world. Attendees include: former group members, families, helping professionals, researchers, lawyers, educators, and other interested persons.
Recent annual conferences have featured over 100 speakers with 4-6 simultaneous tracks spread over three days, as well as a separate day for preconference workshops. The conference includes special tracks for former members, families, mental health professionals, and researchers.
Unlike closed, cultic groups, ICSA is firmly committed to freedom of thought, expression, and religion. Hence, ICSA's conferences are open to people from diverse backgrounds with diverse points of view. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICSA's directors, staff, advisers, volunteers, or supporters. Former group members dealing with recovery issues should keep these points in mind and, when available, attend a preconference former member workshop, which will help them understand the challenges of an open conference. See ICSA's essay on dialogue for an elaboration of these concepts.
In recent years, ICSA has grown to include a diverse range of members with different backgrounds and perspectives. To ensure all participants can engage in a safe and respectful environment, we set clear expectations for behavior at our events and within our community. These Guidelines signal our commitment to inclusivity, safety, and proactive support for all.
ICSA’s Mission
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) provides information, education, advocacy, and support to those adversely affected by or interested in cultic and other high-control groups and relationships. Grounded in a foundation of ethical principles, research-based knowledge, and a commitment to education, we serve as an open, professional, nuanced, and egalitarian resource for professionals, survivors, families, researchers, and the public. We embrace diversity, dialogue, respect, freedom, and inclusivity in all our endeavors.
Annual Conferences as Spaces of Dialogue and Debate
Annual conferences serve as spaces for dialogue, where participants are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions. Dialogue involves actively listening to and engaging with interlocutors in a climate of mutual respect and civility (Rose-Redwood et al., 2018). These gatherings provide opportunities for challenging yet constructive debate, allowing participants to refine their perspectives and benefit from potentially valuable critique.
In the context of annual conferences, an appropriate balance should be maintained between the following important considerations:
a) Recognition of Diversity and Inclusion
Speakers and participants should acknowledge and respect the diversity of attendees’ personal and cultural identities and social contexts. This includes remaining mindful of "otherness" and recognizing how certain voices are persistently excluded from dialogue due to power asymmetries linked to societal majority status (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016). Such asymmetries may be related to factors such as gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual expression, social class, socioeconomic status, or other circumstances that place individuals outside the cultural mainstream. Effective engagement requires sensitivity to the lived experiences of individuals, families, groups, and communities of reference (Clauss-Ehlers et al., 2019) present in the audience.
b) Managing Contentious Issues and Respectful Disagreement
Annual conferences are not "safe spaces" in the sense of shielding attendees from contentious topics or difficult discussions. Given the nature of academic and intellectual exchange, tensions may arise when strongly opposing viewpoints are presented. While disagreements—even intense ones—may occur, it is crucial to ensure that ideas can be debated and contested vigorously, while maintaining respect for individuals who hold differing views. Even when a majority of attendees share similar opinions, it is important to extend this respect to minority perspectives.
Attendees should be prepared to encounter expressions of viewpoints they may strongly disagree with, reject, or even find offensive. While participants are encouraged to protect themselves from potentially upsetting or controversial ideas, the conference organizers will provide support when necessary. In situations where individuals feel uncomfortable due to the presence of diverse viewpoints or the topics discussed in controversial sessions, ICSA will direct them to a member of the Assistance Team for guidance and support.
Fostering spaces for open inquiry, debate, and deliberation means resisting calls to ban speakers due to disagreement. Speech should not be suppressed unless it violates the law, attacks the dignity of a specific individual, constitutes a threat or incites violence, or breaches confidentiality or privacy. Encouraging open debate allows ideas to be aired and critically examined rather than left unchallenged.
ICSA Events Guidelines
ICSA promotes an inclusive and respectful environment at its conferences. All participants are expected to maintain professional conduct and contribute to a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
Conduct and Behavior
Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, inappropriate recording, disruptive conduct, or any form of physical or sexual assault will not be tolerated. ICSA and its local hosts are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees.
Handling Incidents
Complaints can be submitted in person, via email (admin@icsahome.com), or anonymously online. They will be reviewed in good faith and resolved through:
Informal Resolution – The Executive Director gathers information and seeks an on-site resolution.
Formal Resolution – If further action is needed, an investigation may lead to sanctions, including removal from ICSA events.
By upholding these principles, ICSA ensures that annual conferences promote open dialogue, respect, and intellectual diversity while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.
Please check your membership status now by emailing us so you can secure your member discount ticket rate.
If you are not yet a member of ICSA, please join us now!
