The 5th Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Digital Society will be a half-day event held on Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, organized by the Network Institute.
We invite researchers working in any area related to the Digital Society to submit (existing) research or works-in-progress in the form of a short abstract. Participants in the workshop will have the opportunity to present a poster and give a short lightning presentation to interact and connect with colleagues from inside and outside the VU.
Our goal is to create a welcoming space for researchers from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and share their work. This year’s keynote theme, Human-Centred Data, explores how data-driven technologies shape, and are shaped by, human values, agency, and the systems we inhabit. From privacy and consent to fairness and environmental impact, data practices have profound consequences for people and the planet. Yet dominant approaches often prioritize scale and efficiency over dignity, sustainability, and relationality.
Through a human-centred lens, we ask: how can data ecosystems respect autonomy, foster inclusivity, and empower communities? What does “human-centred” mean in a world of entangled human and non-human actors, and how can infrastructures serve diverse needs without reinforcing inequities or ecological harm? Addressing these questions demands bridging technical, ethical, and societal perspectives, combining robust data science with critical engagement around human values, social contexts, and planetary futures.
IWDS will start with a keynote by Laura Hollink about “Bias in Linked Open Data” and the program will include fun networking activities, including a research speed-dating session, and the opportunity to win a research money voucher.
Important Dates:
- Abstract submission: February 1st, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: February 9th, 2026
- Poster submission deadline: March 9th, 2026
- IWDS: Thursday, March 26th, 2026
Please note: the Network Institute will cover printing costs for your research poster.
Submission Guidelines
We invite all researchers interested in an interdisciplinary discussion around Digital Society to contribute to our program. We accept two types of submissions:
- A summary of existing work: submit your existing paper to initiate interdisciplinary discussions. You might find the right collaborator for a follow-up project.
- Work in progress: submit a short abstract (250 words) describing your work in progress. You might receive valuable feedback from outside your academic bubble.
All submissions must be entered in the EasyChair platform. In the abstract input field you include a) an abstract (max. 250 words) of your paper (option 1) or your work in progress (option 2) and b) a motivation (max. 250 words) for how your research could benefit from cross-pollination with other disciplines. You only need to attach a paper for option 1.
Questions about submissions should be emailed to Dorothé Smit at g.d.smit@vu.nl
Find more info on the official event page here!