Call for Papers

The Technology Research Group, Department of Law and Criminology, Aberystwyth University, will be hosting the annual British and Irish Law, Education and Technology Association (BILETA) conference on Wednesday 15th to Friday 17th April 2026.

On the evening of the 15th of April there will be an AGM and informal dinner.  The conference dinner take place on the evening of the 16th April.

BILETA Conference 2026 warmly invites individuals to attend and participate in its critical and topical discussions on the future of law, technology and education.

To reflect the dual disciplinary nature of our faculty, BILETA 2026 also welcomes individuals interested in the criminological and criminal justice perspectives on technology and education.

The theme for BILETA 2026 will revisit Lange’s observation:

 

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master”

 

The rapid evolution of digital technologies, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to blockchain, immersive environments, and data-driven governance, presents unprecedented opportunities for society. 

We are at a pivotal moment: emerging tools can democratise access to justice, personalise learning, and enhance public administration. However, when these same tools operate without adequate oversight, transparency, or ethical alignment, they risk entrenching inequalities, eroding accountability, and undermining human agency.

This year’s conference invites academics, researchers, practitioners, postgraduate students, activists and anyone else with an interest to critically explore the delicate balance between technological empowerment and technological dominance.  Participants are welcome from any country to enjoy the scholarly, social and cultural experience of BILETA.

 

Submission Process

BILETA invites the submission of abstracts of maximum 500 words using the Oxford Abstracts portal by 1st December 2025.

The conference will be organised around a number of parallel sessions. Abstracts can be related to the broader theme of the conference noted above or present original research on one or more of the following themes (not an exhaustive list):

 

  • Artificial Intelligence & Regulation
  • Criminal Law & Technology
  • Criminology & Criminal Justice in the Digital Age
  • Data Protection, Privacy & Surveillance
  • Digital Governance & Internet Regulation
  • Dispute Resolution & Access to Justice
  • E-Government & Democracy
  • E-Commerce and the Platform Economy
  • Global & Cross-Border Legal Issues
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Society
  • Intellectual Property & Emerging Technologies
  • Legal Education & Technological Integration
  • The impact of AI on Education
  • Work & Technological Change

 

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline: 1st December 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: 19th December 2025