About the opportunity
The Digital Ethics Center (DEC) at Yale University is hosting the inaugural Digital Ethics Center Symposium (DECS) on October 16, 2026. This one-day international symposium focuses on the Governance, Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (GELSI) of digital technologies, specifically designed to support and showcase the work of early-career researchers. It aims to foster substantive dialogue between emerging and scholars, particularly welcoming research that can inform policy recommendations and shape governance frameworks across jurisdictions.
Funding and benefits
- DECS Best Paper Award (a medal recognizing the work).
- Full travel support, including round-trip transportation and two nights of accommodation in New Haven.
- An invitation to collaborate with Prof. Luciano Floridi and DEC researchers during the Spring 2027 semester.
- All high-quality submissions, regardless of selection for presentation, will be considered for publication in a special issue of Philosophy & Technology.
Who can apply?
- PhD students and postdoctoral scholars.
- Work must examine the ethical and human dimensions of digital transformation.
- Submissions must be original work that is not formally published, under review, or committed for publication elsewhere (preprints and working papers are welcome).
- Each applicant may submit only one paper as first author (though they may be listed as co-authors on other submissions).
Required documents
- Short CV (maximum 2 pages) in PDF format (LastName-FirstName-DECS.CV.pdf).
- Abstract of the paper (maximum 2,000 words) in PDF format (LastName-FirstName-DECS.Abstract.pdf).
When to apply
- Application deadline: Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
- Notification of selection: by September 15, 2026.
- Symposium date: October 16, 2026.
How to apply
- Send a complete application packet to dec@yale.edu.
- Use the subject line “DECS 2026 Application”.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- PhD students and postdoctoral scholars researching the ethical, legal, and social implications of digital technologies.
- Early-career researchers looking to gain visibility and receive feedback from established experts like Prof. Luciano Floridi.
- Scholars whose work has the potential to inform policy recommendations and governance frameworks.
What should you think carefully about?
- Submissions must be original, unpublished work; preprints are acceptable, but work under review elsewhere is not.
- The symposium is an on-site event in New Haven, requiring travel in October 2026.
- You are limited to one submission as a first author, though you may be a co-author on other papers.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This symposium is a high-impact opportunity to build your academic profile, network with leading figures in digital ethics, and potentially secure a publication in a specialized journal. It is particularly valuable for those looking to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world policy application.
Our take
Early-career researchers with high-quality, unpublished work in digital ethics should prioritize this. It is less suitable for those who cannot travel to the US or whose research is already committed to other publication venues.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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