GigaNet Annual Symposium 2021 (virtual)

GigaNet – the Global Internet Governance Academic Network – is now accepting extended abstracts for papers to be presented at its annual symposium. As of now, GigaNet 2021 is planned as a virtual conference alongside the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in a hybrid format in Katowice, Poland, on 6-10 December 2021.

Papers on any Internet/digital governance-related topic are welcome. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged. There will be the possibility of a focused subset of accepted papers to be fast-tracked for publication in a relevant journal. Last year, a collection of papers presented at the conference were invited for a special issue of Telecommunications Policy. 

Welcome topics for this year’s symposium include, but are not limited to:

Internet Governance as a field of study

  • Narratives, myths and frictions in the construction of the Internet governance field
  • Internet governance cultures and power dynamics 
  • Theoretical innovations and new methods applicable to Internet governance research

The evolution of Internet governance, institutions, and norms in the areas of: 

  • Internet standards and protocols
  • Internet infrastructure
  • Platform governance
  • Cybersecurity
  • Governance of data streams
  • Digital rights online 

Future-oriented Internet research agenda

  • Emerging topics in Internet governance (e.g. environment)
  • Digital sovereignty
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives on the governance of new technologies (Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, virtual currencies), etc.

Internet Governance in time of pandemics

  • New challenges and opportunities of digitalization 
  • Health governance & COVID-tracing apps
  • Freedoms, rights and limitations 
  • Internet governance and emergency preparedness 

GigaNet is oriented around the presentation of research papers. The proposed extended abstract should be 800-1000 words long (excluding bibliography) and must describe:

1.   Research question(s),

2.   Data used, 

3.   Methodology, and 

4.   Main (expected) findings of the paper,

5. Contributions to literature and/or ongoing policy debates. 

Theoretical papers need not specify the data used but must have a clear research question and statement of the specific theories used and literature in which the analysis is situated. 

The extended abstract must be uploaded to the Easychair website by 17 June 2021, 23.59h (in the submitter’s timezone). (New extended date)

Reviews of individual abstracts will be double blinded. Please do not include names or any other personally identifiable information on the uploaded file or in the text of the submission itself on the EasyChair platform. (The platform records the author name(s) and contact information: the program committee chair will be able to see that information.) Full papers should only be submitted upon invitation, following the selection of abstracts. 

GigaNet encourages emerging scholars and researchers working with diverse methodologies to submit their work to the symposium. Proposals should be submitted in English. Participation in the GigaNet symposium is free of charge.

 Important dates:

Deadline for abstracts submission (extended): 17 June

Notification to authors of acceptances/rejections: 13 August

Accepted authors confirm attendance: 18 August

Full papers due: 15 October

GigaNet Symposium: 6 December