Digitalisation, Market and Society

Call for Papers

International Conference on

Digitalisation, Market and Society

2 – 4 December 2025

Organised by:

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India

Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA

The Institute for New Economic Thinking and Its Young Scholars Initiative (INET-YSI)

 Hosted by

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, India

The effect of digitalisation in our everyday life is transforming the world of work, employment relations, labour markets, social institutions, and gender norms. The fourth industrial revolution, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data-driven technologies, is reshaping industries, altering economic and social organisations of the labour market, and influencing socio-economic inequalities. At this juncture, we aim to critically reflect on how society and the economy are interplaying together in response to everyday digital effects on the lives of the commons, particularly consumers, workers, and producers, and understand collective efforts to address this socio-economic, demographic, and political structural transformation.

The conference is organised by IISER Mohali in collaboration with Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA and The Institute for New Economic Thinking and Its Young Scholars Initiative (INET-YSI), with funding from SPARC, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The conference intends to bring together academicians, young scholars working on these issues, policymakers, and experts from different organisations to explore how digitalisation reshapes work and society, examining key themes such as economic shifts, evolving social relations, gender dynamics, and cultural transformations. The conference aims to generate policy-oriented insights for an inclusive future by fostering dialogue across disciplines.

Key Themes:

• Emerging market structures in the platform economy
• Network effects, algorithms and optimisation of invisible structures in platform economy
• The production of space in platform economies
• Digitalisation of gendered work
• Policy and institutional challenges in the emerging gig economies.
• Commodification and decommodification in digital economies.
• Everyday human-digital interactions and their challenges to agency.
• Identity and social relations in the digital age
• Data privacy and ethical concerns in everyday life and work

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline for Extended Abstract (2000 words):                 September 20, 2025 (Extended Deadline)
• Notification for Abstract Acceptance:                                    September 25, 2025
• Submission of Full Paper:                                                          November 15, 2025

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

The organising committee invites postgraduate students, PhD scholars and Early Career Researchers (within 7 years of their Ph.D.)/Faculty/Independent Researchers to submit extended abstracts based on their original research.

• The extended abstract should between 1800-2000 words and should cover key research questions, research gap, methodology, and key findings.
• The key theme mentioned above for which the paper shall closely fit should be indicated in the abstract.
• Individuals may present only one paper at the conference. Nevertheless, an individual may be listed as a co-author on additional papers submitted for consideration, provided that a designated co-author undertakes the presentation of such papers.

 TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

Limited grants to cover travel (Economy Airfare or AC 2-tier train tickets) to support travel within India, modest accommodation, and meals. No international travel support is available, but international applicants are encouraged to apply. At the time of abstract submission, applicants need to write a separate application for such a grant. Non-presenting participants shall manage their own travel and accommodation.

THE VENUE

About IISER Mohali

IISER Mohali was established in 2007 as one of the seven IISERs by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Government of India. An autonomous public research institute of national importance, IISER Mohali integrates high-quality science education with cutting-edge research. The institute offers BS-MS Dual Degree programmes, Integrated PhD programmes and PhD programmes across six departments.

The venue of the conference is the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, Punjab. IISER is located in the Chandigarh Tricity region, with excellent connectivity for the conference attendees. Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) is located around 9 KM from IISER, while the Chandigarh Railway Station (CDG) and the Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SASN) Railway Station are at about 13 KM and 4 KM respectively from IISER Mohali. Early December is usually marked with mildly cool temperatures, which may go to a low of approximately 8°C.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT INET-YSI

Sunanda Nair-Bidkar, Director, International Strategy & Advancement, Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), New York

Christina Kujur, Organizer, INET-YSI

Bikram Barman, Coordinator, INET-YSI

Email: southasia@youngscholarsinitiative.org

ORGANISING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT IISER MOHALI

Conference Convener

Dr. Debdulal Saha (Convener)

Email: debdulals@iisermohali.ac.in

Dr. Neeraja Sahasrabudhe (Co-Convener)

Email: neeraja@iisermohali.ac.in

Student Coordinators

Anibesh Singh

Email: anibeshs05@gmail.com

Alinda Merrie Jan

Email: alindamj@gmail.com