CfP for the SciCAR Conference 2026
How do AI systems help us with data analysis? What data do we need to preserve, and which data gaps do we urgently need to fill? And which data sources, tools, and databases are of interest to both journalists and researchers? These and other questions will once again be covered at this year's SciCAR Conference – taking place on September 17–18, 2026, in Dortmund, Germany.
The conference aims to bring together data journalists and researchers from various fields to exchange methods, learn from each other, and initiate collaborations. We welcome your proposals for keynotes, panels, and workshops—these can include your own projects as well as suggestions for exciting topics and speakers. Sessions do not need to be fully planned in advance, and individual presentation proposals are also welcome.
What topics and formats are particularly relevant for SciCAR?
- Topics: Data-driven analyses of socially relevant developments (e.g., polarization, rise of right-wing movements), AI applications in data journalism and data-based research, training in technical methods (e.g., databases, scraping, JavaScript), best practices for data visualization, interactivity, and the reception of data journalism
- Focus: Contributions with high practical value, such as exploring specific datasets and data sources (e.g., online platforms, satellite data, ship trackers), are particularly welcome
- Target groups: Data journalists, researchers, data scientists, and data experts from official statistics, research data centers, public administration, open data organizations, and related fields
- Formats: In addition to keynotes, panels, and workshops (of varying lengths), we also welcome nerdy formats such as hackathons
Submissions open until May 3, 2026
The organizers TU Dortmund, Wissenschaftspressekonferenz, Science Media Center Germany, and Netzwerk Recherche invite all interested parties to submit short abstracts via the online form by May 3, 2026. If your proposal is accepted, travel and accommodation costs in Dortmund will be covered. Once again, SciCAR is part of Digital Week Dortmund (DiWoDo), which offers a diverse program from September 15–21 across the city—so arriving early is worth it!