EMERGE 2026 welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that critically examine dominant technological paradigms and engage with resistant\, alternative\, and transformative approaches. Submissions may come from philosophy\, sociology\, political theory\, media and communication studies\, cultural studies\, art theory\, education\, design\, computer science\, and related disciplines\, exploring how digital futures are shaped\, contested\, and reimagined. Contributions grounded in case studies\, action research\, policy analysis\, and practice-based inquiry are especially welcome alongside theoretical and empirical work.
\nTopics include\, but are not limited to:
\nFor CFP details and full conference information\, visit https://emerge.ifdt.bg.ac.rs
ORGANIZER;CN=Jelena Novakovic: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260614T223150Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Belgrade:20260629T070000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Belgrade:20260629T070000 SUMMARY:Charles Taylor Annual Summer Institute on Democratic Agendas 2026 UID:20260617T184215Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-bd7db559-gt5qm TZID:Europe/Belgrade LOCATION:Kraljice Natalije 45\, Belgrade\, Serbia\, 11000 DESCRIPTION:We are pleased to announce the Call for Applications for\nCharles Taylor Annual Summer Institute on Democratic Agendas 2026
\nInstitutions in Motion: Democracy Between Social Struggle and the State
\nInstitute for Philosophy and Social Theory (IFDT)\, University of Belgrade\nJune 29 &ndash\; July 4\, 2026\nThe central focus of the Summer Institute is the open question of what potential democratic institutions hold for responding to the political challenges of the twenty-first century. How are claims articulated in the language of protest\, resistance\, and social justice transformed into durable institutions? When do bottom-up initiatives succeed in producing institutions that are both democratically legitimate and practically effective? How are democratic institutions failing: through cooptation\, bureaucratic neutralization\, or repression? How can institutions remain open to contestation without losing their capacity to govern? Amid polarized publics\, contested rights regimes\, and declining trust how can democratic institutions be restored?\nThe Summer University is convened by: \;Gazela Pudar Dra&scaron\;ko \;(Political Sociology\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade)\, \;Dilip Gaonkar \;(Rhetoric\, Media\, and Publics\, Northwestern University)\, \;Luka Glu&scaron\;ac \;(Political Science\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade) and \;Liam Mayes \;(Media Studies\, Rice University). \;\nThe Institute brings together an interdisciplinary and globally diverse faculty\, including:\nPrathama Banerjee \;(History and Politics\, Center for the Study of Developing Societies\, New Delhi)Admitted students receive:
\nTuition waiver
\nFree accommodation (for students traveling from abroad)
\nPartially covered meals
\nTravel assistance provided on a case-by-case basis (with priority for students from Asia\, Africa\, and Latin America)
\nDedicated travel support for students from the Western Balkans (Rockefeller Brothers Fund)
\nCharles Taylor Annual Summer Institute on Democratic Agendas 2026
\nInstitutions in Motion: Democracy Between Social Struggle and the State
\nInstitute for Philosophy and Social Theory (IFDT)\, University of Belgrade June 29 &ndash\; July 4\, 2026 The central focus of the Summer Institute is the open question of what potential democratic institutions hold for responding to the political challenges of the twenty-first century. How are claims articulated in the language of protest\, resistance\, and social justice transformed into durable institutions? When do bottom-up initiatives succeed in producing institutions that are both democratically legitimate and practically effective? How are democratic institutions failing: through cooptation\, bureaucratic neutralization\, or repression? How can institutions remain open to contestation without losing their capacity to govern? Amid polarized publics\, contested rights regimes\, and declining trust how can democratic institutions be restored? The Summer University is convened by: \;Gazela Pudar Dra&scaron\;ko \;(Political Sociology\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade)\, \;Dilip Gaonkar \;(Rhetoric\, Media\, and Publics\, Northwestern University)\, \;Luka Glu&scaron\;ac \;(Political Science\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade) and \;Liam Mayes \;(Media Studies\, Rice University). \; The Institute brings together an interdisciplinary and globally diverse faculty\, including: Prathama Banerjee \;(History and Politics\, Center for the Study of Developing Societies\, New Delhi)
Craig Calhoun \;(Sociology and Social Science\, Arizona State University)
Harris Feinsod \;(English\, Johns Hopkins University)
Shalini Randeria \;(Social Anthropology\, Central European University)
Stephen Sawyer \;(History and Politics\, American University of Paris)
Roman Zinigrad \;(Law\, American University of Paris)
Srđan Prodanović \;(Sociology\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade)
Irena Fiket \;(Political Science\, IFDT\, University of Belgrade) The Summer Institute is organized by the Center for Transcultural Studies (Chicago &\; New York)\, the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory\, University of Belgrade and the Center for Global Culture and Communication\, Northwestern University. It is supported by the Mastercard Foundation\, Arizona State University\, the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs\, Northwestern University\, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
EMERGE: Contested Futures\, raises pressing questions about power and agency in the age of AI. Rather than treating technological change as inevitable or neutral\, the conference invites critical reflection on how emerging technologies are developed\, governed\, narrated\, and contested\, and how they reshape democratic processes\, social relations\, environmental conditions\, education\, media\, and cultural production. Whether you are a researcher\, practitioner\, or policy professional\, EMERGE offers a rare interdisciplinary space to interrogate the futures being built around us\, and to imagine alternatives. More information at \;https://emerge.ifdt.bg.ac.rs/
ORGANIZER;CN=Jelena Novakovic: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR