Call for Papers: 1st INDL-Middle East and Africa conference - Digital Labor Perspectives from the Middle East and Africa

International Network on Digital Labor (INDL) and the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at The American University in Cairo’s School of Business are excited to invite you to the inaugural conference of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) chapter of INDL titled “Digital Labor Perspectives from the Middle East and Africa.” Organized in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Digital Platform Labor (DiPLab), Weizenbaum Institute and Université française d’Egypte, this conference will be held on May 28, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt.

Rationale

Digital labor is at the heart of our evolving economies. To address the specific challenges and developments in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), we are launching a dedicated chapter of INDL for the region.

This conference provides a unique platform to present research related to the MEA region, both ongoing and/or burgeoning. The conference offers opportunities for scholars and practitioners to engage with topics such as platformization, automation, gig economy dynamics, and technology-mediated labor.

INDL-MEA will feature three tracks: one in Arabic, one in English, and one in French, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region.

Topics

Submissions must be in reference to the MEA region, for instance: in perspective, case studies, or focus.

Submission topics may include but are not limited to

• Case studies examining platforms, gig economy workers, and online digital labor in MEA
• Exploring algorithmic management practices in work processes, recruiting, and HR in MEA
• Issues of digital platform labor on gender and inclusion in the MEA region.
• Consequences of the shift to digital labor on workers, businesses, economies, and labor markets in MEA
• Effects of remote work and digital labor on employee well-being and productivity in MEA
• Policy responses to the rise of digital labor and automation in MEA, including regulatory measures and government intervention
• Strategies for organizing digital workers and managing geographically distributed workforces in MEA
• Intersectional perspectives on digital labor in MEA
• Exploring AI and digital labor through a decolonial lens in MEA
• Challenges posed by Generative AI to human labor in MEA

Submissions

We invite submissions of anonymized abstracts for papers, case studies, and policy briefs related to these topics. Abstracts, up to 500 words, can be submitted in Arabic, English, or French through our website INDL-MEA. The submission deadline is January 15, 2024. Selected participants will be notified of acceptance by January 31, 2024.

Important Dates

• Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2024 January 31, 2024
• Acceptance notification: January 31, 2024 February 15, 2024
• Registration opens: TBA
• INDL-MEA conference date: May 28, 2024

We are enthusiastic about the prospect of your valuable contributions. Together, let’s foster a thought-provoking dialogue and contribute to shaping the future of digital labor in the Middle East and Africa.

Special Opportunity

Our conference is co-located with Conf-IRM. We encourage you to consider participating in the Conference on Information Resource Management (Conf-IRM), taking place at the same time as our event at the American University in Cairo (26-28 May 2024). It offers a unique chance for continued networking and knowledge exchange. Please note that registration for Conf-IRM is separate.

Contact

If you have any questions you may email us at contact@indl.network

We look forward to receiving your submissions and to fostering an engaging and thought-provoking discussion at the conference.

INDL-MEA 1 Submissions

Please click on the link below and follow the instructions to submit your proposal for INDL-MEA1.  

Submit your abstract

Published: 01/18/2024