Call for Applications:
Digital Democracy and Gender Equality: A Critical Look at the Future of Governance
Event Date: 29 May, 2026
Location: University of National and World Economy, Sofia
Application Deadlines:
– 10 May 2026 (for presentation submissions)
– 24 May 2026, 23:59 CET (for audience participation — onsite and online)
Format: Hybrid (in-person and online participation)
General Overview
This one-day research-oriented round table, organized under the ENGAGE.EU Research Label initiative, examines the impact of digital technologies on democratic practices within the European Union, with a particular emphasis on gender equality (Sustainable Development Goal 5).
The event aligns with the strategic agenda of ENGAGE.EU on digital transformation and seeks to explore how gender biases may become embedded in data, algorithms, and governance systems.
Through an interdisciplinary framework integrating feminist international relations theory, international history, and economics, participants will critically assess how digital technologies may reproduce existing power structures and reinforce gendered forms of non-democratic governance.
The primary objective is to foster scholarly dialogue and generate innovative academic outputs that contribute to more inclusive models of digital governance.
Event Structure
Participants will engage with the topic through the presentation and discussion of their research.
The programme will feature approximately four thematic panels, each lasting around 90 minutes:
• One panel in the morning
• One panel in the afternoon
Each panel will consist of short presentations, followed by an open discussion aimed at facilitating:
• exchange of ideas
• constructive feedback
• in-depth academic dialogue
The event will be public, and the Chatham House Rule will not apply.
Online Participation
Audience members joining online will have the opportunity to:
- follow panel sessions in real time
- actively participate in Q&A sessions
- engage in academic discussions and networking
The aim is to promote an inclusive and participatory dialogue within the ENGAGE.EU academic community.
Organisers
Lead Institution: Luiss University
- Flavia Lucenti – Postdoctoral Researcher
- Carolina Polito – PhD Candidate
- Andrea Capati – Postdoctoral Researcher
- Pablo Fiorentini – PhD Candidate
Ramon Llull University
- Martina Logi Cervera – PhD Candidate
- Ignasi Meda – Research Professor
- Eoin Philips – Assistant Professor
- Maryam Vaziri – Assistant Professor
- Oliver Elliott – Associate Professor
University of National and World Economy
- Anna-Maria Nikolaeva – PhD Candidate, Round Table Organiser (UNWE)
Who Can Apply
- PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from ENGAGE.EU member universities
Eligibility
Applications are open to:
- PhD candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early-career researchers
(from universities affiliated with ENGAGE.EU)
Application Procedure
Presentations (Onsite Participation)
The application is OPEN until 24 May, 2026.
The submission period for applications including an abstract and CV for presentation participation has closed.
Accepted participants may be invited to submit a full academic paper by 24 June 2026 (optional).
Audience Participation (Onsite or Online) — OPEN
No submission of abstract and CV is required.
Participants are only required to complete the registration form.
Selection Criteria
- Relevance to the theme: Digital Politics, Democracy and Gender Equality
- Academic profile
- Balance across universities and gender diversity
Travel and Accommodation
- Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided
- Travel and accommodation must be arranged independently
- Funding opportunities may be discussed with local ENGAGE.EU coordinators
Contact
For further information or questions, please contact:
- a.m.markova@unwe.bg
- hharizanova@unwe.bg