Call for Papers and Panels: Second Annual Conference of the International Studies and Emerging Technologies Working Group

Assessing the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Contemporary Society and Global Affairs

1 September 2023

Clinton Institute for American Studies, University College Dublin, Ireland

Emerging technologies, such as cyber and artificial intelligence, have undeniably become a key factor in contemporary society and global affairs. Individuals, communities, groups, states, and international actors alike all face new challenges and opportunities deriving from these technological developments. So far, the study of these topics has been overwhelmingly the remit of the Computer Science and Engineering communities. Research in the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities (SSAH) has only recently started to engage more systematically in this area. The goal of this conference is to promote SSAH research on the impact of emerging technologies, like cyber and AI, on contemporary society and global affairs. In particular, this conference will offer a unique opportunity to SSAH researchers to come together, share their work and experiences, and develop a sense of community. Accordingly, the program will include a plenary session where opportunities for joint publications and funding applications will be discussed.

The conference remit is intentionally broad. We invite proposals of individual papers and panels from a diverse range of scholarly perspectives investigating the multiple ways in which emerging technologies are having an impact on contemporary society and global affairs including, but not limited to, techs' impact on:

- war and warfare

- diplomacy

- governance

- democracy

- foreign policy

- international law

- ethics

- privacy

Individual paper proposals should be 300 words long and include a title.

Panel proposals should be 300 words long, include a title, and have at least three participants.

Paper and panel proposals should be submitted by 30 March 2023 to the conference organiser, Dr Eugenio Lilli (eugenio.lilli@ucd.ie)

Cost and Funding

BISA members fee:    FREE

Standard fee:               €25

We have a number of travel/accommodation bursaries available for strong proposals from Early Career Researchers. ECRs considered for funding will be determined by being either a doctoral candidate or having a fixed term teaching post, postdoc etc. To provide confirmation of your ECR-status please submit a CV with the necessary details when applying. Depending on availability, participants with a full-time permanent position will also be considered.

Participants who will become members of BISA, and of the ISET working group, before registering to the conference will be able to avail of the free-registration option.

Timeline

9 March 2023: submission deadline for both paper and panel proposals

27 April 2023: provisional programme published and notification emails sent out

27 April 2023: registration and bursary applications open

12 May 2023: registration and bursary applications close

22 May 2023: final program published

1 September 2023: conference day

Funders

The conference is jointly funded by the University College Dublin and by the British International Studies Association (BISA).

ISET (International Studies and Emerging Technologies) is a working group within BISA. ISET aims at being an inclusive and accessible forum for researchers and students interested in the various ways in which emerging technologies, like cyber and artificial intelligence, are affecting contemporary societies and global affairs.

Contact: eugenio.lilli@ucd.ie

Photo by Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash