Call for Papers & Save the Date: 1st Annual Digital Publics Conference
The DSI Community Digital Publics invites paper submissions for its inaugural Digital Publics Conference, taking place 21–23 October 2026 in Zurich. Abstract deadline: 31 May 2026.
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How do digital technologies reshape public life – from opinion formation and political deliberation to information flows and collective decision-making? The 1st Annual Digital Publics Conference brings together researchers to explore exactly these questions, with a view to both the opportunities and risks that digital environments create for participation, inclusion, and democratic governance.
We welcome submissions on topics such as social media and AI in political communication, the quality of public discourse, AI and governance, civic tech, platform regulation, and the political, social, and psychological consequences of digital environments. All methodological approaches are welcome.
Abstracts (up to 500 words) can be submitted by 31 May 2026 via the submission form. The full Call for Papers can be found here. Acceptance notifications will be sent by 10 July 2026.
Conference attendance is free and open to presenters and non-presenters alike (registration required, subject to seat availability). The conference runs from ~14:00 on 21 October to ~17:00 on 23 October in Zurich. All presenters are expected to attend in person. Non-presenter registration opens in August; co-authors must register separately.
A limited number of travel grants are available for junior scholars among accepted presenters. We especially encourage early-career researchers and those from groups underrepresented in the field to apply.
For questions, the organizing committee can be reached at digitalpublics@dsi.uzh.ch.