[Air-L] CfP - Digital Politics 1-2/2026 "Digital Sovereignty"

[Mauro SANTANIELLO]

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the double special issue
of Digital Politics dedicated to the theme "Digital Sovereignty".

Digital Politics (Rivista di Digital Politics, or RDP) is a peer-reviewed,
open access scholarly journal published three times a year by Il Mulino.
The journal publishes articles in both English and Italian, and adopts a
truly interdisciplinary approach to questions about how digital
technologies affect political processes, institutions, and actors.

*Call for papers "Digital Sovereignty"*

In an era of rapid technological change and geopolitical realignment,
digital sovereignty has emerged as a crucial yet contested concept.
Governments, corporations, international organizations and civil society
actors are redefining their roles in managing data, digital
infrastructures, and technological ecosystems. The internet, once viewed as
a borderless and decentralized space, is now increasingly shaped by
national regulations, strategic technological competition, as well as
economic and security concerns.

The pursuit of digital sovereignty is driven by multiple and sometimes
conflicting motivations. On one hand, states seek greater control over
digital infrastructures to ensure national security, protect citizens’
rights, and foster economic independence. On the other, global digital
interdependence challenges unilateral regulatory efforts, raising concerns
about internet fragmentation, economic protectionism, and transnational
corporate power. Emerging policies—such as the European Union’s digital
regulations, China’s cyber sovereignty model, and U.S. technology
restrictions—exemplify these tensions and their global impact.

Beyond state-centered approaches, digital sovereignty is also framed as a
struggle for autonomy by grassroots movements, indigenous groups, and
digital communities seeking to reclaim control over digital infrastructures
and governance. Meanwhile, technology giants are asserting their own
sovereignty, managing vast digital supply chains, establishing independent
data ecosystems, and influencing global governance structures.

As digital sovereignty gains prominence, critical questions arise: How can
national digital policies balance security and openness? What are the
implications of sovereignty-driven regulation for global internet
governance? How do corporate and grassroots actors reshape sovereignty
debates? What tensions emerge between digital sovereignty and democratic
principles? What is the role of scholars and epistemic communities in
framing discourses and practices of digital sovereignty? These issues
highlight the urgent need for interdisciplinary research and dialogue.

We invite submissions that explore digital sovereignty from multiple
perspectives, including political science, law, economics, communication
studies, and science and technology studies. The themed issue of Rivista di
Digital Politics will serve as a platform for scholars and practitioners to
engage in meaningful discussions about the shifting landscape of digital
governance.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

   - Theoretical and conceptual frameworks of digital sovereignty
   - Comparative analyses of national digital sovereignty policies
   - The economic dimensions of digital sovereignty: global integration vs.
   protectionism
   - Geopolitical strategies and digital sovereignty
   - Digital constitutionalism, new powers and the rule of law in cyberspace
   - Data localization, digital infrastructures, and national security
   - The impact of sovereignty on digital rights, privacy, and surveillance
   - Corporate digital sovereignty and transnational technology governance
   - The role of international organizations in shaping digital sovereignty
   - Standardization, interoperability, and competing technological
   ecosystems
   - Cybersecurity, weaponization, digital militarization, and strategic
   autonomy
   - Digital sovereignty in relation to artificial intelligence and
   emerging technologies
   - Internet fragmentation and the future of global connectivity

The themed issue of Rivista di Digital Politics seeks to foster a dynamic
and critical discussion on digital sovereignty’s evolving role in global
governance.

Scholars interested in participating are invited to submit an abstract of
max. 800 words (including a bibliography) + an introductory note by the
author(s) of no more than 100 words, *by 30/11/2025*. Abstracts should be
sent to: redazione at digitalpolitics.it

Those who have submitted abstracts will receive a response within two
weeks. Final papers should be sent by 04/05/2026, and these should be
between 6,000 and 8,000 words, including notes and bibliography.

Articles can be written in English or Italian. Articles are peer-reviewed
on a double-blind basis.

We warmly invite scholars from diverse disciplines and methodological
approaches to contribute. Please feel free to forward this call to
colleagues and networks who might be interested.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Best wishes,

Prof. Mauro Santaniello (PhD)
Associate Professor in Political Science
ICPC <https://www.internetpolicyresearch.eu/> Director| GIG-ARTS
<https://gig-arts.eu/> Coordinator| Giganet <https://www.giga-net.org/>
Secretary
SWING <https://www.internetpolicyresearch.eu/swing-2025> Scientific
Coordinator | UNU-CRIS <https://cris.unu.edu/people> Associate Research
Fellow
PRIN on Digital Sovereignty
<https://www.internetpolicyresearch.eu/internet-and-communication-policy-center-research-areas/digital-sovereignty-in-comparative-perspective-state-authority-corporate-power-and-fundamental-rights-in-cyberspace>
Principal
Investigator
Latest publications <https://docenti.unisa.it/023694/ricerca/pubblicazioni>