GENDIG Project (Gender and Digitalization Across Context, 2021-26)
2026 International Conference on (Re)imagining Gender in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Transformations in Higher Education
The Call for Papers is Now Open
The organizing committee invites scholars, researchers and practitioners to submit papers for the 2026 GENDIG International Conference on Gender and Digitalisation in Higher Education, scheduled for 17th and 18th November 2026 at Makerere University. The conference will be hosted by the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, under the theme: (Re)imagining Gender in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Transformations in Higher Education
Join us to shape discussions during this conference by presenting a paper(s) relating to any of the following sub themes:
Theme One: Gender, Digitalisation in Higher education
Over the past decade, higher education has rapidly digitised, driven by online learning and expanding use of technology across teaching, research, and administration. While often framed as innovative and inclusive, the gendered implications of digital transformation remain underexplored, especially in African and Global South contexts. This sub-theme examines how digital tools, platforms, and artificial intelligence reshape access, participation, equity, and inclusion. It asks who benefits and who is left behind, and whether digital systems reinforce or challenge inequalities. Contributions are invited that critically engage digital change alongside gender justice, ethics, and institutional transformation to ensure inclusive and equitable outcomes.
Theme Two: Inequality and Inclusion in Higher Education
The commitment of inclusion is central to the SDG, emphasising a focus on “leave no one behind”. Against this backdrop, how can we widen the participation of historically underrepresented students in the university? What measures can be taken to ensure equitable and inclusive practices within our academic institutions? Is digital technology a means to ensure wider participation or can it marginalize or exclude students? Which mechanisms of exclusion and inclusion are at work in higher education and how does gender, class, race, ability, socio-economic status and other intersecting categories affect inclusion and exclusion?
In this panel we welcome papers that explore the themes of intersectionality, inclusion and exclusion of marginalised groups in higher education, including case studies and best practices.
Theme Three: Gender, Digital Technology and Civil Society
This sub theme focuses on implementation of a model where the University works with Civil society organisations to promote understanding of gender, while co-creating strategies that promote gender equality in society, as well as open opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning. Students internship is supported to enhance university engagement with civil society, as stakeholders, to enhance student’s knowledge transfer for increased work relevance and employability.
In this panel we welcome papers that explore the mutually beneficial and impactful collaborations between Universities and civil society organisations.
Theme Four: Contemporary Issues in Gender Studies across Context
This theme engages with the diverse and evolving realities that shape gender relations and identities in contemporary societies. Examination of cross-cutting issues such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, and the intersectional nature of power across sociocultural, political, and economic contexts offer comparative perspectives that highlight how gender is continually redefined with changing realities. Contributors are encouraged to explore how gender is experienced, negotiated, and contested amid changing global and local dynamics. This interdisciplinary theme seeks to deepen our understanding of current issues of gender in varied contexts.
Theme Five: Gendered Impacts of Artificial Intelligence technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, labour markets, governance, and everyday life. Yet AI systems are not neutral; they are shaped by social, cultural and political contexts that may reproduce or challenge existing gender inequalities. This sub-theme invites critical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the gendered implications of AI across different contexts. We welcome contributions that examine issues such as algorithmic bias, data representation, digital labour, surveillance, AI in teaching and learning, and unequal access to emerging technologies. How does AI influence inclusion and exclusion? Whose knowledge and values are embedded in AI systems? How can gender competence inform more ethical and socially responsible AI design and governance?
In line with GENDIG’s intersectional and comparative approach, we encourage empirical and practice-oriented studies that explore how AI can either deepen inequalities or contribute to more gender-just and inclusive futures.
The GENDIG Conference will mark the closure of the project on Gender and Digitalization across Contexts (2021-26), a collaboration between Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam and University of Agder, financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). Invited papers will contribute to the larger body of knowledge on gender and digitalisation in higher education. The conference will also share results from the GENDIG project, to inform policy and practices for increased inclusion and quality in higher education.
More and updated information on the GENDIG Conference will be available on the https://igds.mak.ac.ug/events
How to apply
Submit an un unstructured abstract of no more than 250 words. The abstract should among other issues provide the problem, the key question being addressed, methodology, key findings, conclusion, and contribution to the gender and digital use in higher education scholarship
- The abstract should be sent to: ruth.nsibirano@mak.ac.ug Copy to lulusimon3@gmail.com and arnhild.leer-helgesen@uia.no
Important dates
- Abstract submission deadline 30th April
- Notification of acceptance 12th May
- Full paper submission 9th September