As digital technology continues to reshape every facet of our lives, it is critical to explore how these transformations intersect with gender dynamics—especially within higher education. The conference invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners from around the globe to engage in meaningful dialogue on how digitalization influences gender equity, inclusion, and social justice in academic contexts.
The GENDIG 2026 Conference will serve as a platform to critically examine both opportunities and challenges presented by digital technologies and artificial intelligence, focusing on their gendered impacts within universities and broader societies. The event also marks the conclusion of the five-year GENDIG collaboration among Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam, and University of Agder, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
Key Themes and Sub-Themes
Participants are invited to submit papers related to any of the following five thematic areas:
Sub 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.
Sub Theme Two: Inequality and Inclusion in Higher Education The commitment of inclusion is central to the SDGs, 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 sub theme we welcome papers that explore intersectionality, inclusion and exclusion of marginalised groups in higher education, including case studies and best practices.
Sub 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 students’ knowledge transfer for increased work relevance and employability. In this sub theme, we welcome papers that explore the mutually beneficial and impactful collaborations between Universities and civil society organisations.
Sub Theme Four: Contemporary Issues in Gender Studies across Context This sub 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 sub theme seeks to deepen our understanding of current issues of gender in varied contexts.
Sub 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.
Why Participate?
The conference offers a unique opportunity to contribute original research, exchange ideas with leading experts, and influence policy and practice on gender and digitalization. Accepted papers will be considered for publication in the Makerere Gender and Development Journal, a peer-reviewed academic journal.
Submission Details
Abstract Deadline: April 30, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: May 12, 2026
Full Paper Submission: September 9, 2026
Submit abstracts (max 250 words) outlining your research question, methodology, key findings, and contribution to gender and digitalization scholarship in higher education.
Send submissions to:
ruth.nsibirano@mak.ac.ug
with copies to Mahai.lulu@udsm.ac.tz / lulusimon3@gmail.com and arnhild.leer-helgesen@uia.no
For more information and updates, please visit the official conference page:
https://igds.mak.ac.ug/events
Join us as we (re)imagine the future of gender, technology, and education in an increasingly digital world. Together, let’s explore innovative pathways toward more equitable and inclusive higher education systems.