In response to the rise of digital platforms and ecosystems, an increasing number of jurisdictions have been rethinking their competition law regimes, resulting in amended policies or novel legislation for digital markets. The DMA in the European Union, the DMCCA in the United Kingdom, and Section 19a GWB in Germany stand as pioneering examples.
The research project “Shaping Competition in the Digital Age (SCiDA)”, a joint project of the Universities of Düsseldorf and Exeter, accompanies the regulatory initiatives from the beginning and aims to answer three questions: How do the new rules in the different jurisdictions work in practice? What proves effective for reaching the goals of the new rules? What are the elements of the new normative and institutional framework for safeguarding competition in the digital age?
The conference will provide a platform for discussion and assessment of existing and future approaches to digital competition regulation. Can we see best practices after the first stages of enforcement?
The two-day conference will explore the lessons, challenges, and opportunities arising from competition regulation and enforcement in digital markets across the EU, the UK, and Germany. Bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, it aims to promote a challenge- and solution-oriented dialogue on the present and future of digital competition law.
The SCiDA research project is funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Registration
The conference will take place from the 26th and the 27th of May 2026. It will commence at 13:00 on 26 May 2026 and is expected to conclude at approximately 14:00 on 27 May 2026.
Participation is primarily intended for academic researchers.
Attendance is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please fill out the registration form to apply.
A detailed conference program will be available shortly.
The SCiDA conference seeks to engage with groundbreaking scholarship addressing current and emerging challenges in digital competition law with topics such as:
- Rethinking the fundamentals of digital competition law
- Designation and obligation challenges of the DMA, DMCCA and GWB
- Effective compliance and regulatory approaches
- Enforcement structures and practical challenges
- Procedural issues and stakeholder involvement
- The interplay between competition and innovation in digital markets
- New technological challenges (such as AI and advanced infrastructure)
- Geopolitical upheaval and strategic competition law/policy
Alberto Bacchiega, Directorate-General for Competition of the European Union
Marcus Bokkerink, formerly UK Competition and Markets Authority
Josef Drexl, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition
Magali Eben, University of Glasgow
Jens-Uwe Franck, University of Mannheim
Michal Gal, University of Haifa
Inge Graef, Tilburg University
Jan-Frederik Göhsl, University of Münster
Ioannis Lianos, University College London
Stavros Makris, University College London
Giorgio Monti, Tilburg University
Andreas Mundt, German Federal Competition Authority
Peter Picht, University of Zurich
Martijn Snoep, Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets
Elodie Vandenhoude, Digital Economy Unit of the French Competition Authority
And others
Haus der Universität, Schadowplatz 14, 40212 Düsseldorf
For information on public transport and parking facilities please visit the website of the Haus der Universität here.
Düsseldorf offers a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets. As the conference takes place during a public holiday (25 May), participants are strongly encouraged to book their hotel as early as possible.
We recommend the options below but feel free to book according to your own preferences.
The pricing given is accurate as of the 18th of March 2026 for a one night stay.
Motel One Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof
Immermannstraße 54
40210 Düsseldorf
duesseldorf-hauptbahnhof@motel-one.com
104,90€ incl. breakfast
Das Carls Hotel
Benrather Str. 7a
40213 Düsseldorf
info@carls-hotel.de
115,90€ incl. breakfast
The Organizing Team
Oles Andriychuk, University of Exeter
Pavlína Hubková, University of Exeter
Anush Ganesh, University of Exeter
Jasper van den Boom, Leiden University
Tristan Rohner, Bucerius Law School
Rupprecht Podszun, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Kena Zheng, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Sarah Hinck, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Sebastian Steinert, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
With any questions please contact Kena Zheng (kena.zheng(at)hhu.de).
