About the Conference

The Comparative Politics Conference (Sampol-konferansen) is organized by master's degree students from the Department of Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen. Since its establishment in 1985, the conference has served as a lively platform for debates centered around significant and contemporary social issues. Throughout its three decades of existence, the conference has developed into a reputable forum for political science discussions, attracting participation from students, voluntary organizations, businesses, and government bodies alike. The conference has addressed a diverse array of subjects within the realm of Social Sciences, ranging from Arctic policy, the welfare state, and democracy to corruption, terrorism, and drug policy.

About this years Conference

(Un)limited Technology: The Success or Downfall of Democracy?

This year's Sampol conference is scheduled for October 18th!

During this year's conference, we aim to explore the role of technology in society. The focus will be on how technology can serve as both the cause and solution to many challenges affecting various levels of society, such as states, individuals, research, and business. Through debates, lectures, and panel discussions, our goal is to shed light on a range of topics, including the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence, the collection and usage of user data by technology companies, the utilization of technology by authoritarian regimes, freedom of expression in the media, radicalization and political mobilization, as well as green sustainable development and innovation. Additionally, following tradition, there will be a party debate centered on energy and renewable sources this year.