UTOPISM. *** In the long run, nothing else is realistic. *** Welcome to the English language blog of Morten Tønnessen, Professor of philosophy at University of Stavanger's Department of Social Studies.
The International Society for Quality-of-life Studies (ISQOLS) has released a brief video summarising its 2026 conference, which took place in Lexington, Kentucky earlier in August. Below are some screenshots from the video involving me.
I am also featured in some photos in ISQOLS´ conference summary online, as well as in a photo album shared among conference participants.
Today, at the 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS 2026), «Beyond the Bluegrass: Harnessing Research to Enhance Quality of life», which is held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) August 11–14th, I have presented my paper «Alternative HDI thresholds for maximum income demonstrate significance for policy advice» as part of Session 7A «Well-being policy and measurement». Some 11 people attended. The session was chaired by Joseph Sirgy.
Today, at the 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS 2026), «Beyond the Bluegrass: Harnessing Research to Enhance Quality of life», which is held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) August 11–14th, I have presented my paper «Climate imaginaries and the contested future of economic growth» as part of Session 4E «Ecological sustainability, agriculture, and wellbeing». Some 11 people attended. The session was chaired by Jane Kolodinsky.
I arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, late on Sunday August 9th. On Monday (i.e. yesterday) I attended the pre-conference workshop «A “Walkthrough” of Public US Wellbeing Datasets», with instructors Harry Brisson and Robert Moore, both representing the NGO Gross National Happiness USA (GNHUSA), along with about ten others. Today I have attended a Half-Day Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour in Kentucky, along with about 15 others.
Over the next three days I will be attending the 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS 2026), with the theme «Beyond the Bluegrass: Harnessing Research to Enhance Quality of life». The conference venue is University of Kentucky´s Gatton Student Center, in Lexington, Kentucky.
See also:
ISQOLS 2026 papers scheduled for presentation in Lexington, Kentucky August 13th and 14th
I have now retrieved information about the scheduled presentation times (see the conference program) for my two accepted papers at the 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS 2026, «Beyond the Bluegrass: Harnessing Research to Enhance Quality of life», which is to be held at University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky (USA) August 11–14th:
— On Thursday August 13th I will present my paper «Climate imaginaries and the contested future of economic growth» as part of Session 4E «Ecological sustainability, agriculture, and wellbeing» (Gatton Ballroom A at 09.00–10.30)
— On Friday August 14th I will present my paper «Alternative HDI thresholds for maximum income demonstrate significance for policy advice» as part of Session 7A «Well-being policy and measurement» (room 330A at 10:30–12:00)
