Why Political Philosophy of Technology and Engineering? Concepts\, Problems\, Methods
\nProposed Full-Day Symposium at SPT 2027
\nJune 16-19\, Beijing
\nWhat distinguishes political philosophy of technology and engineering from political philosophy\, applied ethics\, or philosophy of technology? Emerging and disruptive technologies increasingly require us to revisit existing political concepts and\, in some cases\, to develop new normative principles for issues such as artificial agency\, responsibility gaps\, value alignment\, algorithmic governance\, infrastructural power\, and technologically mediated forms of collective life.
\nYet political philosophy of technology and engineering has only recently begun to emerge as a field that seeks to provide analytic frameworks for addressing the political dimensions of technology and engineering. Such a field must ask not only how political philosophy can be applied to technology\, but also how technologies and engineering practices reshape political concepts\, institutions\, forms of power\, conditions of agency\, and possibilities for collective life.
\nThe Political Philosophy of Technology and Engineering SIG invites submissions for a proposed full-day symposium at SPT 2027. The symposium will serve as a platform for work that contributes to field-building by proposing new ways to think about the concepts\, problems\, and methods of political philosophy of technology and engineering.
\nWe especially welcome papers that do not merely apply existing ethical or political frameworks to technological cases\, but ask how technology and engineering challenge\, transform\, or extend the conceptual and normative resources of political philosophy. While the theme of SPT 2027 invites reflection on AI and new modes of human existence\, the symposium welcomes work on AI as well as on other technologies\, infrastructures\, and engineering systems that raise political-philosophical questions.
\nPossible topics include\, but are not limited to:
\nWe welcome submissions from scholars working in philosophy of technology\, political philosophy\, political theory\, philosophy of engineering\, engineering ethics\, STS\, philosophy of AI\, social and political epistemology\, and related areas. Contributions from early-career researchers and scholars working outside dominant Anglophone or European traditions are especially encouraged.
\nSubmission instructions
\nPlease submit the following materials by 31 October 2026:
\nSubmissions should be sent to \;sptppetsig@gmail.com \;with the subject line: &ldquo\;SPT 2027 Political Philosophy of Technology Symposium.&rdquo\;
\nPlease note that according to SPT\, no one will be permitted to present more than one contribution at the SPT2027 conference\, though it is allowed to be involved in further contributions in another role (such as co-author or discussant).
\nAI use and authorship policy
\nWe are aiming for a symposium featuring work that reflects contributors&rsquo\; their own research\, reasoning\, and scholarly voice. A such\, limited use of generative AI tools for editing\, proofreading\, or improving clarity is acceptable\, provided that the intellectual content\, argument\, and statement of fit are written by the submitting scholar.
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\nReview process
\nAbstracts will be reviewed competitively. Selection will be based on philosophical quality\, originality\, fit with the symposium theme\, and contribution to the development of political philosophy of technology and engineering as a field.
\nWe expect to select approximately ten papers for inclusion in the proposed full-day symposium submission to SPT 2027. Please note that selection for the symposium proposal does not guarantee acceptance by SPT\; the full symposium proposal will be submitted to the SPT 2027 review process.
\nAuthors of selected abstracts may be asked to revise their abstracts lightly in order to strengthen the coherence of the symposium proposal.
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\nTimeline
\nSubmission deadline for abstracts: 31 October 2026
Expected notification of selection for symposium proposal: 23 November 2026
Confirmation of participation due: 30 November 2026
About the SIG
\nThe Political Philosophy of Technology and Engineering SIG was established to create a scholarly community around political-philosophical approaches to technology and engineering. The SIG aims to foster work that examines how technological and engineering practices shape political concepts\, institutions\, forms of power\, collective responsibilities\, and conditions of human flourishing.
\nThis proposed symposium continues that mission by creating an ongoing forum for scholars contributing to the development of political philosophy of technology and engineering as a field.
\nFor questions\, please contact: avigailf@technion.ac.il.
Michael Schmidt\, KIT
\nPaige Benton\, Johannesburg
\nAvigail Ferdman\, Technion
\nSIG co-leaders
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\nProposed Symposium at SPT 2027 | 16&ndash\;19 June 2027 | Beijing\, China
\nThe Political Philosophy of Technology and Engineering Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Society for Philosophy and Technology (SPT) is organizing a proposed symposium for the SPT 2027 conference\, to be held in Beijing\, China\, on 16&ndash\;19 June 2027.
\nPlease note: The symposium is currently being developed for submission to the SPT 2027 organizing committee and is subject to acceptance through the conference's regular review process. The symposium's inclusion in the conference program is therefore not yet confirmed. If accepted\, its precise date and time will be determined by the conference organizers.
\nThe proposed symposium\, Why Political Philosophy of Technology and Engineering? Concepts\, Problems\, Methods\, aims to advance the development of political philosophy of technology and engineering as a distinct field of philosophical inquiry.
The SIG is issuing an open call for abstracts\, from which contributions will be selected through a competitive review process for inclusion in the symposium proposal. detailed CFA can be found here: \;https://philevents.org/event/show/154941
Abstract submission deadline: 31 October 2027
\nSelection of an abstract for the symposium proposal does not guarantee participation in SPT 2027\, which remains contingent upon acceptance of the full proposal by the conference organizers.