ISA Digital Sociology Call for Session Proposals 2027 Apply now

The International Sociological Association Working Group 10 (WG10) on Digital Sociology has officially opened the Call for Session Proposals for the XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology 2027. Scholars, researchers, academics, and practitioners from around the world are invited to submit innovative and globally engaged session proposals exploring the intersection of digital technologies and society.

The congress will take place in Gwangju from July 4–10, 2027 under the theme “Global Sociology in Turbulent Times.” This international sociology event will bring together researchers from diverse disciplines to discuss the social, political, economic, and cultural transformations driven by digital technologies in contemporary societies.

WG10 Digital Sociology welcomes theoretically strong, methodologically rigorous, and globally relevant proposals examining issues such as AI, digital governance, digital labour, inequalities, surveillance, online identities, platform capitalism, metaverses, digital exclusion, sustainability, and the future of digital society.

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About ISA WG10 Digital Sociology

ISA Working Group 10 on Digital Sociology was established in March 2020 and upgraded to Working Group status in 2024. The group focuses on advancing sociological research related to digital technologies and their impact on society.

The objectives of WG10 include:

• Encouraging high-quality digital sociology research
• Building international academic networks
• Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration
• Creating opportunities for publishing and mentorship
• Promoting dialogue between scholars across regions
• Strengthening sociological engagement with digital transformations

The group also works to support emerging scholars and foster collaboration between researchers from the Global North and Global South.

Theme of the Congress

Global Sociology in Turbulent Times

The XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology focuses on understanding the rapidly changing social realities shaped by technological advancement, political instability, inequality, climate challenges, and global crises.

Researchers are encouraged to critically explore how digital technologies influence societies, governance systems, economies, cultures, and everyday life during periods of uncertainty and transformation.

Congress Location and Dates

Venue

• Gwangju

Congress Dates

• July 4–10, 2027

Session Proposal Deadline

• June 25, 2026 (23:59 UTC/GMT)

Topics for Session Proposals

WG10 welcomes session proposals on a broad range of digital sociology themes, including:

Digital Sociology Theory and Methods

• Theory, epistemology, and research methodologies in digital sociology
• Ethical and methodological approaches in digital research

AI and Digital Social Formations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
• Algorithmic societies and automated systems
• Human-machine interactions

Digital Relationships and Identity

• Online relationships and intimacy
• Identity formation in digital spaces
• Social media cultures and self-representation

Platforms and Emerging Technologies

• Platforms and infrastructures
• Metaverses and virtual environments
• AR/VR/XR technologies
• Internet of Things (IoT)

Digital Labour and Platform Capitalism

• Gig economy and precarious labour
• Platform capitalism and economic inequalities
• Digital work environments

Culture and Digital Lifestyles

• Gaming communities and online culture
• Religion and digital practices
• Digital lifestyles and media consumption

Governance, Surveillance, and Power

• Digital governance systems
• Surveillance technologies
• Algorithmic inequalities and social control

Disinformation and Democracy

• Fake news and misinformation
• Digital discrimination
• Democratic backsliding and online polarization

Public Goods and Digital Governance

• Digital public goods
• Technology elites
• Global digital governance systems

Health, Education, and Generations

• Youth and technology
• Digital education systems
• Health and ageing in digital societies

Digital Poverty and Resistance

• Digital exclusion and inequalities
• Resistance movements in online spaces
• Technology access and social justice

Sustainability and Future Digital Societies

• Sustainability in technological systems
• Environmental implications of digitalization
• Justice and the future of digital society

Encouraging Global Participation

WG10 particularly encourages contributions from scholars across:

• Asia
• Africa
• Latin America
• The Global South

The group aims to foster inclusive international dialogue by bringing together diverse academic perspectives and experiences from around the world.

This commitment to global engagement helps strengthen sociological understanding of digital transformations across different regions and societies.

Why Researchers Should Participate

Participating in the XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology offers researchers a valuable opportunity to:

• Present research at a leading international sociology conference
• Connect with global scholars and experts
• Build academic and professional collaborations
• Gain international visibility for research work
• Contribute to discussions on digital societies and technological change

The congress also provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among sociologists, policy experts, digital researchers, educators, and social scientists.

WG10 Leadership and Academic Network

The WG10 Digital Sociology leadership for 2025–2027 includes internationally recognized scholars from different countries and institutions.

President

• Richard Miskolci

Vice-President

• Esther Brainin

Secretary

• Jared Wright

Treasurer

• Pilar Rodriguez Martinez

The group also includes publication committee members, early-career coordinators, and international board members representing institutions from Brazil, India, Poland, Israel, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Serbia, and other countries.

Upcoming WG10 Activities

WG10 will also organize several academic activities before the World Congress, including:

WG10 Midterm Conference 2026

• Hosted at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
• June 17–18, 2026
• Hybrid format (in-person and online)

Additional activities include:

• Academic networking events
• Publication collaborations
• Mentorship opportunities
• International research discussions

Membership Information

Researchers interested in joining WG10 Digital Sociology can apply through the official ISA membership platform.

Membership Fees

• Regular Membership: USD 20 for 4 years
• Discount Membership for students and eligible countries: USD 10 for 4 years

Membership benefits include:

• Access to academic networks
• Conference participation opportunities
• Newsletters and updates
• Research collaborations
• Publishing opportunities

Membership portal:
ISA Membership Portal

How to Submit Session Proposals

Applicants should prepare session proposals aligned with the conference themes and submit them before the deadline through the official ISA channels.

Strong proposals should demonstrate:

• Theoretical contribution
• Methodological rigor
• Global relevance
• Interdisciplinary engagement

Researchers are encouraged to review official submission guidelines carefully before applying.

For official details and submission information visit:
ISA WG10 Digital Sociology Official Page

Final Thoughts

The ISA WG10 Digital Sociology Call for Session Proposals 2027 offers an outstanding opportunity for researchers worldwide to contribute to critical discussions on technology, society, and digital transformations. As digital systems continue reshaping economies, politics, identities, and social interactions, sociological perspectives remain essential for understanding these changes in inclusive and globally informed ways.

Scholars from all regions and academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate and contribute to shaping the future of digital sociology at one of the world’s most important international sociology conferences.