Call for Papers for the International Symposium "iSRED 2026"

We are pleased to announce that the International Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design 2026 (iSRED 2026), organized by the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study [Executive Committee Chair: Associate Professor Gakken Inamori, Frontier Program, Tohoku University, Cross-Appointment, Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering], is now accepting paper submissions.

Since 2024, the IAS-FRIS Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design has been held annually in collaboration between the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study and the Tohoku University Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering. With the participation of strategic partners such as the National Taiwan University Center for the Humanities and Information Sciences, the University of Hong Kong Centre for Law & Technology, and the Seoul National University Graduate School of Data Science, we have focused on exchanges with East Asian universities. We have decided to change the conference name to the International Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design (iSRED) and transition from an invitation-only conference to a Call for Papers (CFP) based conference.

Features of the New iSRED

1. Establishment of an Interdisciplinary Review and Publication System:

We will establish four fields centered on robot ethics: Engineering, Psychology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Sciences, specifically: Advanced Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, Philosophy and Public Policy, and Interdisciplinary Sciences.

2. World-Class Reviewer Board of 100 Experts:

Over 100 distinguished researchers from the four fields—Engineering, Psychology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Sciences—centered on robot ethics, will serve as reviewers.

3. Utilization of Innovative Organizational and Research Networks:

Through the strategic collaboration between the Tohoku University Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering and the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study, we will launch the innovative organization "ROBOLAW.ASIA Research Network" (https://www.robolaw.asia/). Furthermore, iSRED will be held through two interdisciplinary functional hubs: (1) the Embodied AI Hub (Tohoku University base) and (2) the Creative ELSI Hub (Kyushu University base).

Date of iSRED 2026: November 10-11, 2026

Location: Inamori Hall, Inamori Foundation Memorial Museum, Ito Campus, Kyushu University (Hybrid Event)

(See Campus Map [https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/f/61490/ITO_1_Jp.pdf] reference number 52)

Paper Submission Period: March 13, 2026 - July 31, 2026

Organizer: Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Study

Co-organizers: Tohoku University Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Division of Intelligent Mechanical Design

National Taiwan University Center for the Humanities and Information Sciences

University of Oslo, Department of Informatics

Technical Co-sponsor: IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT)

Call for Papers

Annual Theme for iSRED 2026

"Leveraging Design Thinking for Responsible Robotics"

As technological advancements consistently outpace traditional legislative processes, "compliance by design" has become a critical imperative in the development of social robots. This symposium explores how design thinking, a human-centered and iterative methodology, can serve as a foundational framework for responsible robotics.

By applying the core principles of design thinking—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—developers can address the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) inherent in human-robot interactions, moving beyond mere technical functionality. For instance, the "ethical design" approach, integrated into the BS 8611 standard for robot ethics, enables the early identification of societal risks such as loss of privacy, emotional dependency, and algorithmic bias.

We welcome submissions that offer case studies/theoretical analyses of socially embedded systems (e.g., social, medical, and assistive robots) demonstrating how iterative prototyping and stakeholder feedback loops foster transparency and accountability.

Topics for the iSRED 2026 Symposium include, but are not limited to:

◎ Social, Ethical, and Environmental Impacts of Social Robots

◎ Automation, AI Ethics, and Social Justice in Human-Robot Interaction

◎ The Influence of Design Thinking on Social Systems and Robot Governance

◎ Social Robots and Digital Transformation

◎ Challenges of Robotics in Engineering Ethics Education

◎ Social Robots and the Future of Work

◎ Emerging Robotic Technologies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

◎ Ethics, Regulation, and Emerging Robotic Technologies

◎ Perspectives on Robotics from the Humanities and Social Sciences

◎ Climate Change, Sustainability, and Emerging Robotic Technologies

◎ Education in Robot Ethics

◎ The Future of Robot Innovation and Social Responsibility

The aim of this symposium is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among philosophers, legal scholars, social scientists, psychologists, information scientists, and roboticists. To avoid an overemphasis on any single discipline, the publication structure for accepted papers (adhering to IEEE Xplore requirements) will be equivalent to that of its predecessor, the former IAS-FRIS Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design (https://2025.roboethics.design/).

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Schedule

Paper Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: August 31, 2026

Early Registration for Conference Participation: Starts August 31, 2026

Please refer to the iSRED 2026 official website for submission methods.

https://www.isred-ethical.design/