BOBCATSSS 2027: Rebuilding Trust Infrastructures – Libraries, AI and Democratic Knowledge Futures

Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media
The theme of BOBCATSSS 2027 highlights the crucial role of Library and Information Science in rebuilding trust within rapidly evolving digital societies. As artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and platform economies reshape information environments, the need to design transparent, ethical and inclusive knowledge infrastructures becomes increasingly urgent. Libraries and information institutions are uniquely positioned to act as mediators between technology, policy and society.

BOBCATSSS is an international symposium in the field of Library and Information Science, open to participants from all countries. We warmly welcome students at all levels (bachelor's, master's and PhD), as well as educators, researchers, librarians and information professionals. Whether you are presenting emerging research, sharing professional practice, or joining the conversation, everyone working in or studying LIS is invited to submit a proposal and take part.

In a context marked by misinformation, digital inequalities and algorithmic opacity, rethinking trust infrastructures is essential for safeguarding democratic knowledge. This conference explores how innovation in LIS can strengthen accountability, promote digital citizenship, and ensure that emerging technologies serve public values. The focus extends beyond technological development to include governance models, professional competencies, sustainability strategies and inclusive practices that reinforce social cohesion.

BOBCATSSS 2027 welcomes original research, case studies, theoretical contributions and experimental approaches addressing artificial intelligence in libraries, misinformation and democratic resilience, open science ecosystems, digital humanities, sustainable digital transformation, professional development, and diversity and gender representation in LIS.

By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among students, researchers and practitioners, the conference aims to advance human-centred and ethically grounded knowledge futures. Hosted in Barcelona, BOBCATSSS 2027 invites the international LIS community to collaboratively shape resilient and trustworthy information systems for tomorrow

The BOBCATSSS 2027 conference will be held in Barcelona from 19th to 21st January 2027. BOBCATSSS is a conference for students in the fields of Library and Information Science. Students can present their first research paper.

New this edition: alongside the traditional formats, BOBCATSSS 2027 introduces the video essay as a way to present academic work through audiovisual language. See the conditions in the Call for Papers section.