[Air-L] CfP for Data for Policy 2026 (DfP’26): Governance of/with AI: Implications for Data, Infrastructure, and Tech Sovereignty

Thu Apr 16 10:05:34 PDT 2026

*Data for Policy 2026 (DfP’26)*
*Governance of/with AI: Implications for Data, Infrastructure, and Tech
Sovereignty*
8-10 September 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
Call for Abstracts, Full Papers and Panel Proposals
Submission Deadline: *01 June 2026*

Dear colleagues,

Data for Policy CIC, in collaboration with the *Universitat Pompeu Fabra *and
the *Cambridge University Press* is delighted to invite submission of
extended abstracts, full papers, and panel proposals for Data for Policy
2026 (DfP’26) <https://dataforpolicy.org/data-for-policy-2026/>, to be held
in Barcelona, Spain, on *8–10 September 2026.*

The tenth edition of the conference will focus on the reshaping effects of
AI in governance and decision making. This year has witnessed a significant
paradigm shift, sparking increased interest in and concern regarding AI
governance. The development of AI and data infrastructure has become
essential amid the ‘AI War’ between the United States and China, the hybrid
conflicts in Europe, and the deployment of military technologies in the
Middle East. Strategic investments now prioritise access to frontier
technologies, the securing of critical minerals, energy production, and key
locations for water supply and cooling. AI is challenging not only global
economies but also political systems. We have entered an era where AI
influences geopolitics, often at the expense of fundamental rights and
values.

The theme “Governance of/with AI” addresses the diverse global perspectives
on this evolving technology. As AI continues to transform, it presents both
unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges; furthermore, emerging
developments such as quantum computing heighten existing uncertainties.
This theme calls for a responsible and ethical societal response while
fostering debate across multiple disciplines. We invite reflections and
evidence-based research that explore and contest these views. Ranging from
geopolitical promises to large-scale investments, social consequences, and
legal frameworks, AI has become a truly transdisciplinary field.

We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines — including but
not limited to computer science, engineering, law, economics, and public
administration — that explore challenges and opportunities at the
intersection of AI, governance, and society. We are particularly interested
in work that offers valuable insights and contributes to ongoing
data-for-policy discussions aligned with our core focus areas
<https://dataforpolicy.org/dfp26-conference-tracks/>:

*Area 1:* Digital & Data-driven Transformations in Governance
*Area 2: *Technologies & Analytics
*Area 3:* Policy & Literacy for Data
*Area 4: *Ethics, Equity, and Trustworthiness
*Area 5:* Algorithmic Governance
*Area 6: *Global Challenges and Dynamic Threats

In addition, a dedicated special track convened by The Digital Statecraft
Academy (DSA) will provide a focused forum to explore the technological,
institutional, and political dimensions of AI adoption. *Special Track:
<https://digitalstatecraft.academy/special-track-digital-statecraft-from-principles-to-practice/>Digital
Statecraft: From Principles to Practice.*

For Abstract or Panel Submissions:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=dataforpolicy2026
For Full Paper submissions: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/dataandpolicy

For detailed information on submission types, the review process, and
important dates, we encourage you to visit the Submission & Guidelines and
Important Dates pages on the Conference website.
<https://dataforpolicy.org/data-for-policy-2026/>

Join us at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, in September 2026 as we
collectively navigate the opportunities and complexities of AI in
governance, and contribute to building more equitable,  and trustworthy
digital futures.

For any inquiries or further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact *dfp26 at upf.edu
<dfp26 at upf.edu>* and *team at dataforpolicy.org <team at dataforpolicy.org>*

Warmest regards,
The Data for Policy 2026 (DfP’26) – Conference Committee
<https://dataforpolicy.org/data-for-policy-2026-dfp26-conference-committee/>

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Important Dates*

   - *Submission deadline for papers, abstracts, and panels:* *01 June
   2026, 23:59, AoE.*
   - Notification of acceptance for conference abstracts, and panels: 01
   July 2026, 23:59, AoE.
   - Notification of acceptance for full-papers: 25 July 2026, 23:59, AoE.
   - Registration deadline for presenters: 14 August 2026
   - Deadline for submission of mandatory pre-conference material: 17
   August 2026
   - Registration deadline for all delegates: 25 August 2026
   - *Data for Policy 2026 (DfP’26): 08 – 10 September 2026*

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*DfP’26 Conference Leadership:*

   - Manuel Portela, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
   - Carlos (Chato) Castillo, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
   - Vladimir Estivill-Castro, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
   - Migle Laukyte, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
   - Antoni Rubi-Puig, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain

*Data for Policy Conference General Chairs:*

   - Zeynep Engin, Founding Director & Chair, Data for Policy CIC
   - Jon Crowcroft, Marconi Professor of Communications Systems in the
   Computer Lab, at the University of Cambridge, and researcher-at-large at
   the Alan Turing Institute
   - Stefaan Verhulst, Co-Founder and Chief Research and Development
   Officer at the GovLab, NYU

*Conference Programme Committee:*

   - Susan Ariel Aaronson, George Washington University, USA
   - Fola Adeleke, The Global Center on AI Governance, South Africa
   - Rossella Arcucci, Imperial College London, UK
   - Omar Isaac Asensio, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
   - He Bin, Tongji University, China
   - Tuba Bircan, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
   - Ana Brandusescu, McGill University, Canada
   - Ana Maria Bustamante Duarte, Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia
   - Igor Calzada, University of the Basque Country, Spain
   - Natalia Carfi, Open Data Charter, Argentina
   - Lawrence Cheung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong
   - Joep Crompvoets, KU Leuven, Belgium
   - Ebinezer Florano, The University of the Philippines, The Philippines
   - Sarah Giest, Leiden University, The Netherlands
   - Yang Han, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong
   - Regina Hučková, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia
   - Ahmed Dooguy Kora, L’Ecole Supérieure Multinationale des
   Télécommunications, Senegal
   - Jacqueline C.K. Lam, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong
   - Victor OK Li, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong
   - Canhui Liu, University College London, UK
   - Justin Longo, University of Regina, Canada
   - Claudia Abreu Lopes, United Nations University, Malaysia
   - Aretha Mare, Smart Africa, Rwanda
   - Jock Martin,The European Environment Agency, Denmark
   - Gianluca Misuraca, AI4Gov, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
   - Francesco Mureddu, The Lisbon Council, Belgium
   - Ines Neves, Universidade de Porto, Portugal
   - David, Love Opeyemi, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
   - Marta Poblet, RMIT University; The Data Tank, Belgium
   - Paula Rodriguez Müller, European Commission Joint Research Centre
   (JRC), Belgium
   - Vania Sena, The University of Sheffield, UK
   - Sara Thabit, European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Italy
   - Evren Tok, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
   - Gaby Umbach, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European
   University Institute, Italy
   - Genoveva Vargas-Solar, CNRS, France-Mexico
   - Masaru Yarime, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
   Hong Kong

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

* About Data for Policy*

Since its inception in 2015 at the University of Cambridge, the Data for
Policy conference series has served as a leading platform for addressing
the gap between data advancements and effective policymaking. Over the past
decade, it has consistently attracted prominent researchers and thought
leaders worldwide. In addition to our conferences, we have partnered with
Cambridge University Press to launch the open-access Data & Policy in 2019.
This initiative provides a platform for rigorous scholarly work at the
intersection of data science and public policy, supported by an integrated
peer-review process linking conference presentations to publication
opportunities.
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