Call for Interest: SEFI Ethics SIG 8th Spring Symposium 2027

Dear SEFI Ethics SIG community,

We warmly invite you to express your interest in participating in the 2027 SEFI Ethics SIG Spring Symposium, taking place 10–13 May 2027 at the University of Minho, Guimarães Campus, Portugal.

Under the theme “Human, Nature, Artificial: Rethinking Relationships and Responsibilities in an Engineering World,” we’ll explore ethical questions at the intersections of people, nature, and artificial systems, and what they mean for engineering and engineering education. The symposium will bring together educators, researchers, students and practitioners for interdisciplinary dialogue, collaborative workshops, and shared reflection.

We welcome contributions in three formats:

• Thematic panels (60 minutes)
• Interactive workshops (90 minutes)
• Research and practice presentations (30 minutes)

You’re also welcome to attend as a participant without presenting. Proposals that connect different perspectives and disciplines are especially welcome.

There is no registration fee, and attendance is capped at 50 participants. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, although we will be able to recommend some locations. The symposium will include a community day in Guimarães, offering time to connect and explore together the town and its surroundings.

Please submit your expression of interest by 14 December 2026 using the Google Form. Notifications of acceptance are planned for 14 January 2027, with participant RSVPs due 10 February 2027.

We welcome both longstanding members of the SEFI Ethics community and those who are new to it. We look forward to your ideas and to meeting in Guimarães!

Warm regards, 

The organizers: 

Celina Leão & Inês Direito (local hosts)

Diana Bairaktarova & Mircea Toboșaru (co-chairs Ethics SIG)