CDL holds its annual conference, entitled The Institute on Digital Empowerment, on the Syracuse University campus. The themes of these conferences have been:

2008 - Kids ETC
The theme for the 2008 Center for Digital Literacy's Institute on Digital Empowerment is Kids, ETC (Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Creativity). The 1 1/2 day conference will bring together researchers with librarians, teachers, school administrators, parents, and kids to learn about the most current research and its application to the innovative process. The conference is planned for early December.

2006 - Inquiry, Imagination and Invention in the Digital Age
The 2006 Institute’s theme was Inquiry, Imagination & Invention and explored programs and technologies that foster innovation and creativity in children and adults. CDL partnered with By Kids For Kids and other organizations for this event.

2005 - Engaging Learning in the 21st Century
Our 2005 Institute’s theme was "Engaging Learning in the 21st Century", bringing together some of the leading researchers in motivation, child development, and technology, as well as representatives of more than 20 organizations that sponsor educational programs for children (e.g., Sesame Workshop, NASA, By Kids - For Kids, the Bronx Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Boston’s Museum of Science), to discuss ways to stimulate children’s curiosity for and interest in learning through technology.

2004 - Internet & Democracy
Our first Institute on Digital Empowerment, which took place during the 2004 presidential election year, had the theme "The Internet & Democracy." In addition to faculty and doctoral students, invited panelists included key online strategists of the 2004 presidential campaigns, leaders of national organizations studying digital divide issues, representatives of grass roots groups that have used the Internet successfully to foster political activism and civic engagements among their constituents.