Dubai Culture publishes ISEA2026 academic programme, running 6 to 15 November

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has released the academic line-up for ISEA2026, the 31st edition of the international symposium on electronic and emerging art. The symposium takes place in Dubai from 6 to 15 November under the theme "ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity". It is organised with Zayed University and looks at where art, science and technology meet.

The in-person Artistic Programme presents over 100 works across Dubai, among them installations, performances and visual experiences. The ISEA International Board names Al Wasl Dome, ARTE Museum and TODA (Theatre of Digital Art) as venues.

The online academic side opens on 6 November with discussions and workshops in its Special Tracks. Core sessions run from 10 to 14 November. The line-up lists 145 papers, over 50 artist talks and panels, seven Eco Lab workshops and more than 20 presentations by institutions. Four themes structure it: Celestial Dialogues, Charting Constellations, Eco-Tech Futures and Starlinked Worlds.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who chairs Dubai Culture, will give opening remarks. Hala Badri, the authority's Director General, will offer welcome remarks. Keynote speakers are Katherine Hayles of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta, co-founder of India's Raqs Media Collective.

Registration for the Artistic Programme costs nothing. Registered participants receive a personalised QR code that gives access to the participating venues. Online academic access needs a paid ticket, and joining details go to the email address given at registration. Students get half price when they register with a valid university email address.

Visitors in Dubai during these dates can see the artworks in person after free registration, while the academic sessions are held online. Those planning a stay can browse hotels in Dubai.

WAM reported the programme details on 2 November.