We are excited to announce the 13th Annual Conference of the Society for Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU), taking place from 9th – 12th November 2026, hosted by The Water Institute. The event will take place at The Water Campus located along the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. 

Global political, informational, and social shifts are upending the global policy environment. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and shifts in global decision-making mechanisms are changing the toolkit that policy makers have to navigate and respond to complex, daunting problems like economic growth and stability, pandemic response and prevention, resource management, disaster and emergency response, and more in an uncertain environment.

In 2026, we invite the DMDU community to explore how innovations in DMDU methods can help a broader range of decisionmakers navigate this evolving landscape and facilitate change. Key questions that we seek to explore include:

  • How can DMDU methods and processes be better integrated into organizational decision-making across public and private institutions navigating rapid, disruptive change? 
  • How can DMDU methods scale to overcome science-policy barriers to become accessible both to specialists and practitioners?
  • What advances in DMDU methods and tools can improve the ability to inform the most challenging decisions facing public and private institutions?
  • What tools and analytical approaches can make DMDU and its processes more accessible to decision makers?

We welcome submissions that address methodological advances, innovative applications, and real-world collaborations and encourage those that focus on novel applications of DMDU to apply.

REGISTRATION

Registration is now open!

To register, log in to Ex Ordo here. Registration closes August 31, 2026.

Regular Registration: $450

Student Registration: $250

Online only: $50

Pay by card or bank transfer to guarantee your registration. Check the conference terms and conditions to find out about cancelling your registration or getting a refund.

If you have any questions, contact the conference organizers at dmdu2026@thewaterinstitute.org.

WEBSITE

The Water Institute has created a dedicated website for our annual meeting where you can check out updates and relevant information about our upcoming meeting: https://thewaterinstitute.org/dmdu-2026 

LODGING

Group rates will be available at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center within walking distance of the meeting venue:

  • Complimentary airport shuttle
  • Spaces available for dinner/gatherings (if needed)
  • $149/night group block rate
  • 1.6 km walk along river to The Estuary

Use this link to reserve lodging with the group block rate: https://book.passkey.com/event/51279067/owner/32164/home

Several other hotels are also available in the area. Explore local options here in Google Maps.

AWARDS

The Society will recognize outstanding contributions from our community through three awards:

Best Published Paper Award

This award will recognize high-quality published research that advances, applies, or expands the DMDU body of methods and knowledge.

Policy Impact Award

This award will recognize an impactful project, policy process, legislation, regulatory change, or institutional decision that was informed by the DMDU body of knowledge and the work of Society members.

Service to the Society Award

This award will recognize members whose service has contributed to the education of new generations of DMDU scholars and practitioners, or whose sustained contributions have helped the Society grow and continue thriving.

Nominations for these awards should be sent to deepuncertainty@gmail.com by August 31, 2026. Please include the name of the specific award in the subject line of the nomination email.

Each nomination will be reviewed by an academic committee composed of senior members of the Society and members of the Society’s Leadership Committee.

To be considered for an award, nominees must be registered for the Annual Meeting or have submitted an abstract to the meeting.

KEY DATES

Call for Abstracts: February 11, 2026

Conference Abstract Submissions: Due May 29, 2026

Abstract Selection: Notification by June 16, 2026 

Registration Opens: July 5, 2026

Award Nominations: August 31, 2026

Registration Closes: August 31, 2026

Conference: Nov. 9-12, 2026

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Estuary at the Water Campus is 6,000-square-foot event venue located in downtown Baton Rouge within the Center for Coastal & Deltaic Solutions. The Estuary and the Center are part of the 35-acre Water Campus, home to The Water Institute, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the Louisiana State University Center for River Studies.