Event Details

A workshop inviting interdisciplinary contributions to critically explore issues pertaining to digitalisation, consumption, and social harm.

Workshop Overview

The concept of cybernetic culture was first crystallised in the 1990s to invite critical commentary on the complex intersection of computational systems with human imagination, community, material culture, and political economy. Since its initial formulation, cybernetic culture’s borders have rapidly widened and intersected with consumer culture to encompass many aspects of everyday life leading to academic and popular concerns about privacy and digital sovereignty, commercial surveillance, the spread of misinformation, ‘deepfakes’, online populism, radicalisation, cybercrime, and the damaging effects of ‘callout culture’ or ‘cancel culture’. This workshop invites interdisciplinary contributions to critically explore these and other issues pertaining to digitalisation, consumption, deviant leisure, and social harm.

The workshop provides a space for sharing and collaboration between those with expertise in consumer culture, marketing, cultural theory, and the cybersecurity ecosystem. Oral presentations and roundtable conversations will centre on the most pressing social issues emerging from cybernetic culture, theoretical conceptualisations of these problems, and ideas which can inform solutions.

Call for Participation

Join us as we examine the intersection of cybersecurity, consumption, and socio-cultural dynamics, exploring how digital interactions shape security practices and vice versa.

Contributors for oral presentation are encouraged to submit an abstract of 500 words (excluding references). We invite submissions which focus on all areas of digital consumer behaviour, cybersecurity, and political economy including conceptual and empirical papers.

Possible areas of consideration include, but are not limited to:

• Social Media
• Virtual communities
• Populist online practices
• Free speech & cyber-libertarianism
• Cancel Culture
• Political economy of Artificial Intelligence
• Cybercrime economies
• ‘Dataveillance’ / Surveillance capitalism
• Wearables, digital tracking & biopolitics
• Digitalisation & national security
• Online radicalisation
• Addiction (e.g. online shopping, pornography, gaming)

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided for all attendees.

Abstract Submission

To submit your 500 word abstract, please attach a word document via email to the conference chairs to undergo review by Friday 24th January, 2025.

Sophie James: s.james7@lancaster.ac.uk

James Cronin: j.cronin@lancaster.ac.uk

Your contribution is invaluable to the success of our event and helps us create a diverse and enriching programme.​​

Please visit: cyberneticculture.com for more information