The Conference on Systems Engineering Research (CSER) was established in 2003 by the University of Southern California and Stevens Institute of Technology to advance the field of systems engineering through rigorous academic research. Over the years, CSER has become a premier international forum for researchers, practitioners, and educators to share innovations, challenges, and solutions in systems engineering. Each year, CSER attracts thought leaders from academia, industry, and government to explore emerging topics and technologies shaping complex systems across domains.

The conference theme for CSER 2026 is Intelligent Digital Twin-enabled Systems Engineering for 21st Century Sociotechnical Systems, reflecting the growing importance of integrating digital twin technologies with intelligent systems engineering practices. As systems become increasingly complex, interconnected, and adaptive, digital twins offer a powerful means to simulate, monitor, and optimize performance across the lifecycle. This theme emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to design, analysis, and decision-making in sociotechnical environments—where complex systems principles converge with human, organizational, and technological factors converge.

Submission Guidelines

The organizing committee for CSER 2026 seek contributions that advance the state of the art of systems engineering and digital engineering, including but not limited to the following research topics:

Research Paper Topics

• Generative AI
• Human-AI Teaming
• Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering
• Model Based Systems Engineering
• Software-Defined Vehicles
• Adaptive Cyber-Physical Human Systems
• Systems and SoS Integration
• System Architecture and Complexity
• Trade-space Visualization and Analysis
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Defense Systems and System-of-Systems
• Space and Aerospace Systems
• Global Supply Chains 
• Healthcare Delivery
• Homeland Security
• Smart Manufacturing  
• Medical Devices
• Sustainable Energy
• Transportation Systems
• Urban Systems and Infrastructure
• Digital Engineering and Digital Twinning
• Sociotechnical Systems Engineering
• Systems Thinking and Complexity Management
• Interactive Storytelling in Systems Engineering
• XR in Systems Engineering
• Smart Manufacturing
• New Topics in Systems Engineering Education
• Cybersecurity Systems Engineering
• Agent-Based Simulation

Key Dates

• November 30, 2026 – Full Paper Submission
• February 1, 2026 – Acceptance Notification
• March 1, 2026 – Final Submission

Submission Types

• Full papers (maximum 10 pages, excluding reference list, which may extend to additional pages) for full peer review and podium presentation
• Short papers (maximum 4 pages, excluding reference list, which may extend to additional pages) for full peer review and podium presentation
• Abstracts (maximum 2 pages) to be considered for poster presentation and/or lightning talk
• Proposals for tutorials, workshops, discussions, and/or interactive sessions (maximum 2 pages) on special topics of interest to the CSER community are highly encouraged. Please reach out to the technical program to discuss any special arrangements.

All accepted and presented full papers will be published in electronic proceedings.

Committees

Honorary Chairs

• Dr. Azad Madni (USC)
• Dr. Dinesh Verma (Stevens Inst. of Tech)

General Chairs

• Dr. John Shortle (GMU)
• Dr. Ali Raz (GMU)

Organizing Committee

• Technical Program Chair: Dr. Matthew Amissah (GMU)
• Technical Program Chair: Dr. Abbas Zaidi (GMU)
• Panels Chair: Marilee Wheaton (The Aerospace Corp.)
• Sponsor Chair: Dr. Lance Sherry (GMU)

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to Abbas Zaidi (szaidi2@gmu.edu) or Matthew Amissah (mamissah@gmu.edu)