Call for Papers: Research Colloquium on Law and Emerging Technologies, 11 December 2026
The KU Leuven Research Colloquium on Law and Emerging Technologies, organised within the framework of the bi-yearly conference organized by the Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP) on 10 December 2026, invites (doctoral or junior) researchers in law and emerging technologies to:
• Submit an abstract regarding their ongoing (doctoral) research to present it to a distinguished panel of experts in the field.
Selected researchers will have the opportunity to:
• Stimulate scholarly discussion among peers in an informal environment during the research colloquium.
• Engage in substantive discussions and intellectual exchanges with the audience during the research colloquium.
• Receive constructive feedback and scholarly advice from the selected discussants presented at the research colloquium.
CiTiP Conference 2026 and Research Colloquium 2026
The Research Colloquium will happen within the overarching framework of the CiTiP conference ‘Challenges and Future Directions in IT & IP Law in Light of the Digital Omnibus (and Beyond)’ held in Leuven on 10 and 11 December 2026. This conference constitutes a distinctive platform providing an outstanding opportunity for scholarly engagement with current issues at the intersection of law and emerging technologies and pertinent policy considerations within the current societal landscape. This event aims to foster scholarly dialogue among academics, practitioners, representatives of global policy bodies, international organisations, and leading institutions.
The Scope of the Topics for the Research Colloquium 2026
The thematic scope of the Research Colloquium encompasses a wide spectrum of topics including but not limited to (ethical) and legal considerations in:
- . Artificial Intelligence Systems – including the regulation of Al under the EU Al Act and Digital Omnibus, risk and trust frameworks, algorithmic decision-making, and Al in financial markets and the creative industries
- . Data Protection and Privacy – including the GDPR, data transactions, biometric data processing, and fairness in data-driven environments
- . Children’s Rights and Digital Technologies – including digital child rights, age-appropriate design, age verification mechanisms, online profiling of minors, dark patterns, and the economic exploitation of children in digital spaces
- . Consumer Protection in the Digital Market – including consumer law and new technologies, transactions involving personal data, unfair commercial practices, and digital platform regulation
- . Cybersecurity and Cyber Policy – including the regulation of cyberspace, cybersecurity law, and national and EU-level cyber policy frameworks
- . Digital Surveillance and Law Enforcement – including the use of information systems and databases for law enforcement and immigration control, and the fundamental rights challenges arising therefrom
- . Online Platforms and Content Moderation – including the Digital Services Act, regulation of social media platforms, and online content governance
- . EU ‘Digital Regulation’ – including the interplay between data protection law, Al regulation, consumer law, and other EU digital instruments
- . Digital Privacy and Online Surveillance – including surveillance of movement, interoperability of information systems, and the right to private life
- . Emerging Technologies and Private Law – including contract law and new technologies, comparative approaches, and the regulation of digital intermediaries
- . Healthcare and Technology – including the legal and ethical dimensions of digital health, data use in healthcare, and Al-assisted medical decisions
Who Should Apply?
This colloquium is designed for junior researchers with a clear research trajectory who want to gain insights from senior colleagues and peers. The committee will select a small group of participants to deliver concise presentations on their work. Afterward, everyone will engage in collaborative group discussions to explore the complexities of their research together.
Venue
Leuven, location TBC
Important Dates for applications
- Deadline for applications: 20 September 2026
- Notification of selected participants: 15 October 2026
- The date of the Research Colloquium: 11 December 2026
How to apply?
Applicants should submit the following documents by email to dr. Maja Nisevic (maja.nisevic@kuleuven.be) with the following subject line: ‘KUL CiTiP Research Colloquium in Law and Emerging Technologies Submission’:
• An up-to-date CV: including any prior speaking engagements or relevant teaching experience and a list of publications (if applicable).
• One-page overview of the research topic: containing
1) an abstract up to 500 words;
2) a specific key question the applicant would like to discuss during the research colloquium and
3) a short motivation as to why attending the Colloquium
For more details, refer here
