[Commlist] Call for Abstracts -- Shaping AI for Inclusion: Barcelona Summer School 2026

*Shaping AI for Inclusion: Barcelona Summer School 2026 *

15–17 July 2026, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 
154–156, 08018, Barcelona

*Call for abstracts *(Fully subsidised places available)

The techno-deterministic paradigm of AI has exacerbated social 
challenges. Academia is mobilising to assess the impact of AI in society 
and understand how to contribute to shaping this paradigm. This summer 
school aims to explore the social, ethical, and political challenges 
posed by contemporary artificial intelligence systems, with particular 
attention to any form of discrimination, including all intersectional 
manifestations of ageism, racism, sexism, ableism, and others. Thus, the 
focus is on the critical examination of how power relations enter 
algorithmic systems, including the roles of data practices and 
institutional arrangements, and on how we can reimagine accountability, 
anti-discriminatory action, and inclusion in automated socio-technical 
environments.

The summer school will encourage methodological innovation to broaden 
research perspectives, foster interdisciplinary insights that stimulate 
critical thinking and practice, and strengthen the originality of 
participants’ research. In addition to intellectual engagement, the 
programme emphasizes peer-to-peer interaction and professional networking.

The summer school is organised within the framework of _AnyAgeAI 
research project <https://anyage.ai/>_. It examines the different forms 
of ageism manifesting in Artificial Intelligence and aims to create 
opportunities for designing more age-inclusive AI systems. The project 
is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation in Germany and carried out in 
four research institutes: WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Leiden 
University in the Netherlands, University of Brighton in UK and the Open 
University Catatonia in Barcelona.

*
Academic Program*

This intensive three-day programme will bring together outstanding 
early-career students from across disciplines, researchers, activists 
and practitioners actively contributing to shaping AI for inclusion. 
Participants will engage in a programme of lectures, workshops, 
presentations and collaborative practice designed to encourage critical 
reflection, debate and interdisciplinary exchange.

Critical AI themes addressed in the workshop include: algorithmic 
inequalities, machine learning, generative AI for social good, 
algorithmic work, mobility data justice and age-friendly smart cities, 
AI activism and advocacy, AI for good in the public sphere, among 
others. Dedicated parallel sessions will focus on discussing 
participants’ papers. Each student will present and share their research 
findings within a smaller group, followed by discussion with peers and 
the senior research team.

The final day features the ‘Shaping AI Workshop: Civic Action for the 
Common Good,’ which brings together civil society actors and community 
stakeholders to discuss how AI can be shaped towards more inclusive, 
equitable, and socially beneficial outcome.


*Who should apply*

The Summer School is open to doctoral and early-career researchers whose 
work engages with critical reflections on AI. Interdisciplinary 
projects, art-based research, practice and research that combines 
theoretical and empirical approaches are particularly welcome.

Eligible to apply are students at an advanced stage of their PhD Program 
and early-career researchers. Up to *10 fully subsidised places* 
(reimbursement covering travel, accommodation, breakfast and lunch) *are 
available *and will be awarded on a competitive basis.

The main criteria for acceptance into the Barcelona Summer School are 
academic excellence and alignment with the summer school's topic.


*Application process and key dates*

  *

    *10 March 2026 *Deadline to**_submit your abstract here
 <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9jA8-kUdUNxPIazhq2iexWFQ_Ha96divrOHM1QVgD8nA3UA/viewform>_.
    Including your personal statement and personal information.

  *

    *30 March 2026 *You will be notified whether your topic is a fit
    with the summer school. If selected, you will be invited to submit a
    full paper.

  *

    *15 April 2026 *Submit your 5,000–7,000‑word paper. This paper will
    be discussed during the summer school but will not be published. A
    submission link will be made available on 30 March.

  *

    *1 May* Notification of selected candidates

  *

    *15 July*. Welcome to Barcelona!


*Bursaries*

The Barcelona Summer School is generously supported by the _Ageism in 
AI: new forms of age discrimination and exclusion in the era of 
algorithms and artificial intelligence research project 
<https://www.wzb.eu/en/research/digitalization-and-societal-transformation/globalization-work-and-production/projects/ageai>_ 
funded by Volkswagen Foundation.**The project _makes available 10 
bursaries_ which cover: accommodation (up to 3 hotel nights at max rate 
of 150 Euros per night) and a fixed rate contribution to travel flights 
or trains, and visa costs (300 euros that will be reimbursed). Breakfast 
and lunch is also covered by the bursaries Please note that participants 
will need to book and pay their travel and accommodation themselves, and 
will be reimbursed after the event.

For questions or comments about the application process contact 
(_shapingai2026+candidates /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(shapingai2026 /at/ gmail.com)>_. 
For other questions you can reach us at _shapingai2026@gmail.com_ or 
visit _anyage.ai <http://anyage.ai/>_.


*Scientific Committee*

Andrea Rosales (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)
Juan Linares-Lanzman (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)
Rüya Koçer (Universiteit Leiden)
Ittay Mannheim (Universiteit Leiden)
Maria Sourbati (University of Brighton)
Claire Dungey  (University of Brighton)
Justyna Stypinska (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung)


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