Call for Papers : 1st Annual Digital Publics Conference

We invite paper submissions on research related to understanding and shaping the transformation of public life through digital technologies, from how people communicate and form opinions to how information circulates and collective decisions are shaped. Alongside their potential to foster participation, inclusion, and transparency, the same technologies also raise concerns about manipulation, exclusion, and unequal access to information.

Within the broader scope of research on digital publics, we are particularly interested in topics such as the role of social media and AI in (political) communication and deliberation, the quality of public discourse, AI and governance, civic tech and political participation, the regulation of tech platforms, and the political, social, and psychological consequences of digital environments, among others. We welcome submissions using different methodological approaches to study these topics.

The Call for Papers is available via this LINK.

The deadline to submit paper abstracts (up to 500 words) for the conference is 31 May 2026. Find the submission page at this LINK. Acceptance notifications will be sent by 10 July 2026.

Conference attendance is free and is open to both paper presenters and non-presenters, but registration is required and subject to seat availability. The conference will take place in Zurich from about 14:00h, 21 October until about 17:00h, 23 October. All presenters are expected to attend in person and make their own travel arrangements. Registration for non-presenters will open in August. Please note that co-authors have to register separately as non-presenters if they wish to attend the conference.

We provide a limited number of travel grants for junior scholars among those accepted to present; more information will be provided upon acceptance. We particularly encourage early-career researchers and those belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in the field to apply.