The next big questions on loneliness: Integrating national and international perspectives on research and policy priorities
Loneliness is receiving growing political attention, with many countries developing strategies to address it. However, critical gaps in evidence, particularly regarding at-risk groups and intervention effectiveness, limit policy impact. Research often addresses academic interests rather than the urgent needs of policymakers. This symposium aims to bridge that gap by bringing together researchers and policymakers from Germany and across Europe. Together, they will assess current research, share international perspectives, and prioritize the next steps for actionable evidence. A concluding high-level political panel will discuss the findings, ensuring they directly inform future policy decisions.
We invite researchers interested in loneliness and social isolation to join our symposium and to present their current work as a poster or talk. Early-career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
Topics of interest include national or international perspectives on one of the symposium’s core topics:
- Scope of the problem: What is the current prevalence of loneliness in Germany and in other countries (e.g., EU)? To what extent have prevalences changed in the past years in the population as a whole or in specific subgroups (e.g., adolescents)? To what extent are currently available data sufficient to assess the prevalence of loneliness?
- Standards for measuring and monitoring loneliness: How should loneliness be measured and monitored in order to provide high-quality data for research and decision-making? How do current approaches fare against these standards? What are the visions for future approaches to measure and monitor loneliness at scale?
- Risk groups and predictors of loneliness: What are known risk groups for loneliness and to what extent are they similar or different across different countries? What do we know about predictors of loneliness, and to what extent can they be generalized across countries? Which risk groups or predictors should receive more attention in future research?
- Individual and societal impacts of loneliness: How does loneliness affect individual outcomes such as health, trust, or attitudes, and how do these effects vary between countries? Which societal impacts of loneliness (e.g., economic, cultural, political) have been underexplored or underappreciated in research? What are the critical areas of investigation to better understand the broader societal consequences of loneliness?
- Reducing loneliness effectively: Which solutions to reduce loneliness currently exist, and what do we know about their effectiveness? How do approaches to loneliness reduction vary between countries, and do they adequately address all key risk groups? Which innovative approaches, such as digital or technological solutions, hold the most promise for future research and application?
- Current policy approaches: What are the keystones of political strategies to reducing loneliness in Germany and in other countries? How were these strategies developed, and what role did researchers play in these processes? To what extent are current loneliness research findings reflected in these strategies, and what gaps remain in the policy landscape? Do these strategies include specific goals for loneliness research?
Travel costs within Europe, accommodation and catering will be covered. (Printing costs for posters are not covered.)
To apply, please send a pdf including the title of your presentation, abstract (max. 250 words), and your name, affiliation and contact information via email to loneliness-week@rub.de. The deadline for submissions is April 5, 2025.
Most presentations will be posters, but we have 2-3 available slots for speakers, so please indicate in your submission whether you would be interested in giving a talk instead of a poster.
If you have any questions, please email us at loneliness-week@rub.de.
We are looking forward to your submission!
Maike Luhmann
(on behalf of the organizing team)
