Call for Papers: The Datafied Citizen: Structural Inequalities and Vulnerability in the Digital Welfare State , 4 June 2026
WASP-HS Conference | Lund University | 4 June 2026
Social welfare systems are increasingly datafied. Across Western countries, artificial intelligence (AI), algorithmic decision-making, and large-scale data infrastructures have become central to the administration of social security benefits, employment services, education, healthcare, and migration-related welfare governance. The increasing digitalization of government services and the automation of decision-making is often justified by promises of efficiency, objectivity, and cost reduction. Yet, they also raise important socio-legal, political, and ethical questions about citizenship, vulnerability, and social rights.
This conference is funded by WASP-HS and is part of a WASP-HS project based at Lund University and co-directed by Sofia Ranchordas (Tilburg Law School/Luiss) and Jannice Käll (Lund University). The conference aims to brings together scholars from law, socio-legal studies, science and technology studies (STS), critical legal studies, and related disciplines to critically examine how datafication reshapes citizenship, vulnerability, and structural inequality in the digital welfare state. Funded by WASP-HS, this conference aims to establish a network of scholars working on these topics and promote constructive exchanges between different disciplines. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions that interrogate the normative assumptions embedded in data-driven welfare governance and explore alternatives grounded in social justice, participation, and care. We therefore welcome groups to present their projects at the conference.
Conference Format
The conference is designed as a discussion-based workshop. Participants are required to submit an extended abstract (1,000 words max.) two weeks before the conference, which will be circulated among the conference group. Sessions will consist of short paper pitches followed by extended collective discussion. Participants are expected to have read the extended abstracts prior to the conference.
Submission Guidelines
When applying for the conference and submitting your abstract (max 300 words), please specify if you would like to be included in Stream 1, Stream 2 or whether you would like to take part in the PhD Workshop.
• Submission deadline: 10 March 2026. Submit to: s.h.ranchordas@tilburguniversity.edu and deniz.duru@iko.lu.se
• Extended Abstract (1,000 words) due: 15 May 2026 Abstracts should clearly outline the research question, theoretical framework, methodology, and relevance to the conference themes.
NB. Participation is free of charge. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to fund the travel and accommodation costs of speakers.
For more details, refer here
