Consumer Protection on Equal Footing?! Justice in Digital Consumer Worlds

Thursday, November 26, 2026 Pforzheim University

Today, consumers’ everyday lives and consumer environments are more digital than ever. But are they also more equitable? Digitalization can open up new opportunities for informed and self-determined consumer decisions and access to global offerings. At the same time, it can be overwhelming—and create opportunities for exclusion, exploitation, and abuse. Against this backdrop, the question arises as to how “consumer protection on equal footing” can be understood and concretely shaped in digital consumer worlds—across disciplines: legally, economically, technically, ethically, socially, pedagogically, and psychologically.

The 2026 Consumer Research Forum, titled “Consumer Protection on Equal Terms?! Justice in Digital Consumer Worlds,” brings together researchers and practitioners for an inter- and transdisciplinary exchange in consumer science on issues of justice in digital consumption. 

The aim of the conference is to shed light on consumer paradigms and contemporary approaches to consumer protection with regard to their dimensions of justice. This includes questions of market and procedural justice in digital consumption, as well as the influence of sustainability on consumer justice. A prerequisite for effective consumer justice is empowering people to manage their daily lives and participate through consumer education. Consumer-friendly technology design in the sense of “Consumer Protection by Design” ultimately serves as a means of automatically fostering trust and ensuring protection in everyday digital consumer life. 

In expert lectures, co-presentations, and panel discussions, the fields of law, economics, ethics, consumer psychology, consumer education, and sustainability research come together. In addition, there will be a poster session that offers a platform, particularly for early-career researchers, to present current research projects. Participatory elements ensure that the expertise of all participants is incorporated into the joint (mission statement) debate.

The conference is aimed at academics, policymakers, practitioners, and organized consumer groups who wish to contribute to the fair, future-oriented design of digital consumer environments.

👉 Starts at 9:30 a.m., ends around 5:00 p.m.

👉 Venue: Pforzheim University, Tiefenbronner Straße 65, 75175 Pforzheim 

👉 Registration coming soon here.