Call for Papers – New Technology, AI and Gender Equality: Problems and Solutions Workshop
**Deadline for submission Monday 5 January 2026**
Conference to be held at University of Southampton 15th April 2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have rapidly become embedded across a wide range of social, economic and political contexts. These systems are increasingly relied upon to help make decisions that have far-reaching impacts on individuals and communities. This includes predictive algorithms used in policing and healthcare, to the automation of immigration welfare systems, and governance of workplaces through algorithmic management systems. In addition to supposed efficiency and productivity gains, these tools are sometimes claimed to help identify and eradicate bias and inequality. Often, however, they have the eƯect of replicating and even exacerbating social inequalities.
Against this background, the Research Centre for Law and Technology and Stefan Cross Centre for Women, Equality and Law at the University of Southampton invite critical reflections on the equality impacts of AI, alongside assessments of current and emerging legal and regulatory responses to address these harms.
This one-day workshop will bring together scholars and practitioners from across disciplines to interrogate algorithmic biases and consider frameworks and strategies to build more inclusive, rights-based, and participatory AI systems.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Vanessa Ho, Queen Mary University London, UK
- Monique Munarini, University of Pisa, Italy
- Anastasia Karagianni, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Tsachi Keren-Paz and Maria Tzanou, University of SheƯield, UK
- Holli Sargeant, St John’s College, Cambridge, UK
- Raphaële Xenidis, Sciences Po Law School, France
Call for Abstracts:
Themes and questions
We welcome submissions that engage with the broad theme of AI, Equality and the Law. Papers may address, but need not be limited to, the following themes and questions:
- Women, Equality and AI:
- Feminist perspectives on AI ethics and governance; gendered impacts of AI in the context of reproductive health, domestic work, or caregiving.
- Labour market inequality and AI:
- The distributive impacts of workplace AI; the regulation of platform work and algorithmic management; algorithms and the right to equal pay for equal work.
- AI as a solution to inequality:
- Applying AI to achieve equality through accountability, transparency, and explainability in AI systems.
- AI and discrimination:
- AI and its relationship to any form of discrimination; intersectionality and AI; de-colonial approaches to AI governance and accountability; racialised impacts and uses of AI; challenges and opportunities of AI for securing disability justice
Submission Guidelines
The organising committee invites abstract submissions (max 500 words) to scclaw@soton.ac.uk
The deadline for submission is 5th Jan 2026.
Acceptance decisions will be communicated by the end of January.
Further information
There is no fee for attending the workshop. Limited travel and accommodation expenses may be available for participants who lack access to institutional funds.
For any queries, please contact the Conference Organizing Committee at scclaw@soton.ac.uk
Find more information here: https://www.legalscholars.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-and-Equality-CfP-closes-5-Jan-2026.pdf