Conference: Regulators and regulation in the digital era

The Centre for a Digital Society invites submissions of unpublished papers for its scientific conference focusing on the evolving role of regulation and regulators.

In the rapidly evolving digital age, the increasing economic, social, political, and cultural influence of digital players has prompted the European Union to propose and adopt a series of far-reaching Regulations. These include the Digital Market Act, the Digital Services Act, the Data Governance Act, the Data Act, the AI Act, the Regulation on Standard Essential Patents, and the European Media Freedom Act.

The implementation and enforcement of this emerging EU regulatory framework will bring forth new challenges for Member States, leading to the creation of new regulatory bodies and expansion of existing ones. This transformation will likely lead to an increase in multi-task agencies and foster coordination between different regulators at both the national and EU levels.

Call for papers

In light of these developments, this scientific conference aims to stimulate an in-depth discussion of academic papers analysing the evolving role of regulation and regulators in the digital age. The conference welcomes submissions from lawyers, economists, political scientists, and other relevant technical experts, presenting research within the core areas listed below.

Core Areas of Interest:

• Regulation in the Digital Age: this area delves into the reasons behind the growing government regulation in the digital sphere and evaluates the appropriateness of the emerging regulatory framework. Papers might explore how these regulations aim to foster market competition, innovation, safeguard fundamental rights, address digital inequality, and promote technological advancements. Additionally, the vertical impacts of horizontal regulation on specific sectors disrupted by digital innovation, such as the news media industry, or sectors providing public/common goods like healthcare, education, mobility, environment, and disaster management, are of particular interest.
• New Tools and Structure of Regulators: in this area, researchers examine the impact of the new regulatory framework on regulators, focusing on aspects like independence, competences, resources, technical expertise, and institutional structure. The analysis of innovative regulatory tools, such as “regulatory sandboxes,” and the identification of best practices at the national level are highly encouraged.
• Networks of Regulators: papers within this area investigate how the new regulatory framework influences cooperation among different national regulators and transnational networks of regulators. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between national regulators and the EU Commission.

Format and Programme

The Conference will feature presentations of unpublished academic papers or working papers at early stages of publication processes. In addition to the paper presentations, the event will include a roundtable discussion with regulators and a keynote address from a prominent speaker in the field.

Scope

While the Conference will primarily focus on the EU, papers discussing the changing role of regulation and regulators in other regions of the world are also welcome.

We invite scholars and experts from various disciplines to submit their research and contribute to the in-depth examination of the challenges and opportunities that arise from the evolving regulatory landscape in the digital age.

Best Junior Paper Award

A “Best Junior Paper Award” will be given for the most outstanding contribution among submissions by authors not older than 35 years.

Scientific Committee

Elda Brogi, European University Institute

Paolo Boldi, University of Milan

Marco Botta, European University Institute

Giacomo Calzolari, European University Institute

Martin Cave, Imperial College Business School

Alexandre De Streel, University of Namur

Lapo Filistrucchi, University of Florence / EUI

Scott Marcus, Bruegel

Juan Montero, European University Institute

Pier Luigi Parcu, European University Institute

Nicolas Petit, European University Institute

Maria Alessandra Rossi, University of Chieti-Pescara / EUI

Giovanni Sartor, University of Bologna / EUI

Peggy Valcke, KU Leuven

Additional information

To learn more, please download the call for papers. For information about submissions and the programme please contact the organising committee: Danielle Borges and Roberta Carlini.

For information about accommodation and logistics, please contact the CDS secretariat.