[Air-L] Reminder: CfP - Out of Order? Critical Reflections on Big Tech, Inequalities and Digital Futures

[Harrison Smith]

Hi everyone,

A quick reminder that the deadline is soon approaching for the following
CfP and we are still welcoming submissions! Please submit your abstract by
May 10th.


Out of Order?
Critical Reflections on Big Tech, Inequalities and Digital Futures
2025 Research Symposium, The University of Sheffield, UK


Organized by the Digital Society Network and the Department of Sociological
Studies’ Social Inequalities and Social Ordering Research Theme

June 27th, 2025. Times and location, TBA.
Abstract submission deadline: May 10th.

The increasing consolidation of wealth and power in the tech sector has
become a focal point for reflecting on social ordering, the intensification
of social inequalities, and understanding digital futures.

It is now impossible to ignore Big Tech. For many, we are now confronted
with a feeling of apprehension about how the world is being re-ordered and
what kind of future we are entering. From algorithms, data centers, and AI
platforms that shape our everyday lives to powerful elites working to
dismantle government infrastructure and automate work under the auspices of
ushering in a new era of AI-fueled efficiency, there is now a larger
apprehension that the future is volatile, chaotic, falling apart, and out
of order.

This symposium aims to bring together researchers of any career stage
interested in Big Tech. We aim to create an interdisciplinary space to
critically reflect on Big Tech, share ongoing research endeavours, develop
collaborative research programmes, and discuss ways in which we can
intervene in a world out of order. We welcome submissions addressing any
topic that pertains to the social, political, economic, and cultural
implications of Big Tech and social ordering. Submissions can include (but
not limited to): theoretical reflections, empirical research, policy/impact
projects, and creative/artistic projects.

If you would like to contribute a presentation at this symposium, please
email a short title, abstract and bio to the SISO research theme
co-leaders, Harrison Smith (harrison.smith at sheffield.ac.uk) and/or Laura
Connelly (l.connelly at sheffield.ac.uk) by May 10th. Please note that this
will be an in-person event, and attendance will be limited to presenters.
There are no attendance fees.


-- 
*Dr Harrison Smith - **Lecturer in Digital Media and Society*
*Programme Lead - BA Digital Media & Society*

Department of Sociological Studies
Office: The Wave, C454
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield S10 2TU