3rd International conference on digital skills, IT professionalism and informatics education

Skill[set] is an international conference dedicated to digital skills, IT professionalism, and informatics education. It brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange insights on how competences related to computing, data, and digital technologies are developing in a rapidly changing world.

As digital transformation continues to shape organisations, research environments, and everyday life, the conference provides a space to explore how professional roles, educational pathways, and societal expectations around digital competence are evolving.

A new format

Building on the previous ICODSIP conference series, Skill[set] continues an established international dialogue on the development of digital competences and IT professionalism. 

The 2026 Skill[set] conference is organised by the German Informatics Society (Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.). While continuing the themes of previous editions, the GI aims to expand the discussion by placing stronger emphasis on informatics competences and the role of educational technologies in competence development and learning.

Call for papers and presentations

Submissions to this conference are invited in two formats: papers and presentations. Both formats address the same thematic tracks: 

Track 1:  IT professionalism: informatics, data and e-competences

The IT workforce is a key enabler of digital transformation in organisations, research, and society. As technologies, data practices, and software environments evolve rapidly - especially in light of (generative) Artificial Intelligence (AI), the requirements for IT professionals are also changing. Beyond addressing talent shortages, there is a growing need to better understand how professional roles, competence profiles, and qualification pathways develop in increasingly data-intensive, software-driven, and interdisciplinary work contexts.

Track 2: Digital competences and skills

Digital transformation continues to shape work, education, and everyday life worldwide. Its benefits, however, depend not only on access to technologies but also on people's ability to use them effectively, critically, and responsibly. This requires a broad and evolving understanding of digital competences that goes beyond operational skills and includes the capacities needed to navigate increasingly data-driven, AI-mediated, and digitally connected environments.

Track 3: Informatics and Digital Education

Without a strong educational foundation in informatics education, neither individuals, institutions, nor societies can truly understand, meaningfully shape, or thoughtfully question digital transformation. Beyond preparing future IT professionals, it contributes to the development of foundational competencies. This includes not only technical understanding, but also the ability to work with data, computational approaches, digital tools, and emerging AI systems in responsible, reflective, and context-sensitive ways.