ECREA WEEKLY digest ARTICLES

November 5th, 2025 at 8pm (CET) - 3pm (Buenos Aires) - 2pm (Ottawa) - 11am (Vancouver)

Online

Registration: https://forms.gle/ux8RFWQvYg6J9PV7A 

With this call, we invite practitioners, academics, and activists who work from and alongside Indigenous communities on digital media, most broadly conceived, to join us for an online workshop to share ideas, insights, and challenges with one another. We are non-Indigenous academics working alongside Quechua and Inuit communities in Argentina and Canada. It is our intention to create a space for forming reciprocal relationships across projects and locations. We would like to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to discuss shared concerns and interests in this field, join our forces, and raise awareness of each others’ work, positions, experiences, and uncertainties.

We believe that the concerns and practices of Indigenous peoples are not well represented in current discussions about the politics of digitization, although these standpoints are needed to understand its role in how people relate to each other and the world. While big tech fastens its grip on more and more areas of everyday life, and “data colonialism” (Mejias and Couldry 2024) and a push toward extractive AI technologies seems to be the sign of the times, this development is arguably not a new experience for many Indigenous peoples around the world who have been dealing with similar corporate colonialist strategies for centuries. Galloway (2012) argues that computers are “ethical machines” that make certain ideologies of objectification, individualization, calculability, and compartmentalization the very basis of everyday economic, social, and political processes. At the same time, Indigenous actors are at the forefront pushing for sovereignty over data and infrastructure to contend with extractivism that encroaches upon both data and land. In this situation, how are these multi-layered digital logics understood by Indigenous actors? How do they engage with digital technologies in the face of their colonizing tendencies? And how do Indigenous peoples leverage them to pursue their own cultural, economic, and political priorities?

In this workshop, we aim to create a space for collective reflection rather than privileging formal presentations. To that end, we are organizing an online meeting structured in two parts. In the first part, participants are invited to select an image as a starting point for a brief (10-minute) story related to their research, experiences, and/or concerns on the topic. This initial segment is intended to set the tone for the encounter and help identify shared issues. In the second part, we will revisit the questions that emerged, engaging in a collective discussion to exchange perspectives, articulate challenges, offer advice, and develop ideas collaboratively. The goal is to establish a set of common concerns that can serve as a basis for further work.

If you are interested in participating, please submit a short (e.g. 300 words) description of your intended story/presentation, a short biography, and a brief description of the themes and questions you would like to discuss with others (if any) before October 5th through this form: https://forms.gle/ux8RFWQvYg6J9PV7A 

We are inviting anyone who would like to be in conversation about themes surrounding Indigenous communities and digital media, including:

• Everyday realities and challenges of digital media in Indigenous communities
  
• Indigenous governance of media infrastructures
  
• Indigenous media-making practices
  
• Land relations and digital media
  
• Digital media in the context of Indigenous media histories
  
• Indigenous and tech temporalities
  
• Online sociality in Indigenous communities
  
• Arts, crafts, and culture in digital spaces
  
• Colonial tendencies of digital technologies in Indigenous communities
  
• Digital media and self-determination/sovereignty
  
• Indigenous online activism
  
• Digital media and Indigenous well-being
  
• Digital sovereignty and infrastructures

Organizers:

Jonathan Spellerberg - University of Groningen j.spellerberg@rug.nl  

Martina Di Tullio - University of Buenos Aires ditulliomartina@gmail.com

December 5-6, 2025

Porto, Portugal

https://videojogos2025.ipmaia.pt/

The call for full papers, short papers, posters, doctoral consortium papers, and games is now open for the 15th International Conference on Videogame Sciences and Arts (Videojogos 2025), organised by IPMaia (Porto) and Sociedade Portuguesa de Ciências dos Videojogos.

All selected papers (short or full) must be submitted in English to be eligible for international publication. The top 40% of research papers—peer-reviewed and evaluated for originality, relevance, and presentation quality—will be published in the annual Springer proceedings volume (Communications in Computer and Information Science – CCIS series).

The conference will be held on the 5th and 6th of  December (2025) in Porto, and more information about keynotes and programme will be available soon.

Nordicom Review (Special Issue)

Deadline: September 15, 2025

Franziska Marquart (University of Copenhagen) and Xénia Farkas (DIGSUM, Umeå Univesity) invite scholars from the fields of media, communication, political science, and related disciplines to submit extended abstracts for a special issue of Nordicom Review. This issue will explore the evolving landscape of visual political communication in the Nordic countries, focusing on comparative aspects, content, and effects of visual politics in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.  

Editors:

Franziska Marquart (University of Copenhagen) 

Xénia Farkas  (DIGSUM, Umeå University)

Contact:

Franziska Marquart: fm@hum.ku.dk

Xénia Farkas: xenia.farkas@umu.se

Important dates:

• Deadline for extended abstracts: 15 September 2025
  
• Invitation to submit full paper: 3 October 2025
  
• Full paper submission: 9 February 2026
  
• Peer review processing: Spring 2026
  
• Expected publication (Open Access): Early 2027
  

Background and aim

Visuals have always been central to political communication, shaping how political actors convey messages and how audiences interpret political realities (e.g., Graber, 1988; Lanzetta et al., 1985; Masters et al., 1986). Research has long recognised the unique cognitive and emotional power of visual information, acknowledging that images are processed and remembered more efficiently than verbal communication (e.g., Graber, 1996) and can influence political attitudes and behaviours (Grabe & Bucy, 2009). Despite early recognition of its importance, visual political communication has only gained sustained scholarly attention in recent decades (Farkas, 2023; Schill, 2012). 

In addition, the rise of digital media platforms has fundamentally transformed the visual dimension of political discourse (Lilleker, 2019; Marquart, 2023). Political narratives are increasingly constructed and contested through images, memes, videos, and data visualizations. These developments call for research that do not only consider the general content, strategies, and effects of visual political communication, but also account for their broader societal embeddedness and implications for trust, engagement, and democratic resilience.

In the Nordic context, where political systems are marked by high levels of institutional trust, transparency, and democratic participation, visual political communication takes on distinctive characteristics. While the region is often associated with social cohesion and stable governance, it is not immune to political polarisation, populist rhetoric, and digital disinformation. Recent years have seen intensifying debates on immigration, identity, and climate change – all heavily mediated through visual content. At the same time, the widespread use of social media has enabled new forms of political expression by citizens, activists, and alternative media actors.

This special issue invites contributions that explore how visual political communication unfolds across the Nordic countries in this evolving digital landscape, assessing the production, spread, and impact of visual content across a range of contexts – from electoral campaigns and protest movements to policy advocacy and state communication. We are particularly interested in how visual strategies interact with core democratic values in the region, such as openness, inclusivity, and (political and media) trust. We welcome empirical studies, theoretical contributions, and methodological innovations that engage with visual political communication from diverse perspectives. Comparative and longitudinal designs are especially encouraged, as they can illuminate both shared trends and country-specific dynamics shaped by cultural, regulatory, and technological factors. 

Ultimately, the aim is to deepen our understanding of how visuals contribute to the transformation of political communication in the Nordic region and what this means for democracy in a digital age.

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Visual strategies in political campaigning: The use of imagery, video, and branding by parties, candidates, and campaign teams during elections and referenda
  
• Visual activism and protest culture: How activists, movements, and civil society actors use visual media to mobilise, resist, and advocate for change
  
• Memes, infographics, and short-form videos: Emerging visual formats on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X, and their role in shaping political discourse
  
• Influencers as political communicators: Exploring how digital influencers shape political discourse through visual content, for example, through agenda-setting, issue advocacy, or political endorsements, particularly in addressing youth audiences
  
• Personalisation and performance: The visual representation of political leaders, including aesthetics of authenticity, relatability, trust, and authority
  
• Disinformation and visual manipulation: The role of images and videos in spreading misleading or false political content, including deepfakes and edited footage
  
• Algorithmic visibility: How platform logics and recommender systems shape the prominence and reach of political visuals
  
• Public service and institutional communication: Visual strategies employed by state institutions and public broadcasters to engage citizens and maintain trust
  
• Crisis communication: Studying the visual strategies employed during political conflicts, economic, environmental, or health crises, and their effectiveness in managing public perception and behaviour
  
• Ethics and accountability: Addressing ethical considerations in the creation and dissemination of political visuals, including issues of consent, manipulation, and the responsibilities of content creators

We welcome submissions employing a wide range of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, including (but not limited to) qualitative visual analysis, content analysis, computational methods, discourse analysis, and mixed-method designs. Interdisciplinary perspectives from political science, media and communication studies, sociology, visual culture, and digital humanities are particularly encouraged. 

Procedure

Please send an extended abstract of no more than 750 words to both fm@hum.ku.dk and xenia.farkas@umu.se by 15 September 2025. The abstract should outline the main theme and approach of the intended paper and mention how it fits with the overall theme of the special issue.  

Authors invited to submit a full manuscript (6,000–8,000 words, excl. references) will be notified by e-mail when all abstracts are assessed by the editors. Also, authors who are invited to submit a full paper will be invited to an online seminar where the rationale for the special issue and the steps that follow will be discussed in more detail. All submissions should be original works and must not be under consideration by other publishers. 

 After the initial submission and review process, manuscripts that are accepted for publication must adhere to our guidelines upon final manuscript delivery. You may choose to use our templates to assist you in correctly formatting your manuscript.

Read the full instructions for authors and download a manuscript template

References

Farkas, X. (2023). Visual political communication research: A literature review from 2012 to 2022. Journal of Visual Political Communication, 10(2), 95–126. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1386/jvpc_00027_1

Grabe, M. E., & Bucy, E. P. (2009). Image bite politics: News and the visual framing of elections. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195372076.001.0001/acprof-9780195372076 

Graber, D. A. (1988). Processing the news: How people tame the information tide (2nd ed). Longman.

Graber, D. A. (1996). Say it with pictures. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 546, 85–96. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1048172

Lanzetta, J. T., Sullivan, D. G., Masters, R. D., & McHugo, G. J. (1985). Emotional and cognitive responses to televised images of political leaders. In S. Kraus, & R. E. Perloff (Eds.), Mass media and political thought. Sage. 

Lilleker, D. G. (2019). The power of visual political communication: Pictorial politics through the lens of communication psychology. In A. Veneti, D.

Jackson, & D. G. Lilleker (Eds.), Visual political communication (pp. 37–51). Springer.

Marquart, F. (2023). Video killed the Instagram star: The future of political communication is audio-visual. Journal of Visual Political Communication, 10(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1386/jvpc_00024_1 

Masters, R., Sullivan, D., Lanzetta, J., Mchugo, G., & Englis, B. (1986). The facial displays of leaders: Toward an ethology of human politics. Journal of Social and Biological Systems, 9(4), 319–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-1750(86)90190-9 

Schill, D. (2012). The visual image and the political image: A review of visual communication research in the field of political communication. Review of Communication, 12(2), 118–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2011.653504 

About the publisher  

Nordicom is a centre for Nordic media research at the University of Gothenburg, supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Nordicom publishes all works under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence, which allows for non-commercial, non-derivative types of reuse and sharing with proper attribution. All works are published Open Access and are available to read free of charge and without requirement for registration. There are no article processing charges (APC), and authors retain copyright.  

Nordicom Review is an international peer reviewed journal devoted to new Nordic media and communication research. In 2023, Nordicom Review recorded a Journal Impact Factor of 2.0, a CiteScore of 2.8, and an H-Index of 23.

Read more about Nordicom Review 

Read our editorial policies 

Visit Creative Commons to learn more about our CC licence 

Read the call for papers here: https://www.nordicom.gu.se/en/latest/news/call-papers-visual-political-communication-nordic-region-strategies-narratives-and

January 6-9, 2026

Lisbon, Portugal

Deadline: September 5, 2025

Jointly organized by the Faculty of Human Sciences (Universidade Católica Portuguesa) and the Center for Media@Risk (Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania), the Lisbon Winter School offers an opportunity for doctoral students and early career post-doctoral researchers to strategize around the study of media and courage together with senior scholars in the field. It is held in coordination with the Annenberg Schools of the University of Southern California & University of Pennsylvania, the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Journalism and Communication, the University of Helsinki’s Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities, and The Europaeum.​

Call for Papers

As uncertainty and disruption settle in as central features of contemporary democracies, the media are faced with rewriting the rules by which they are allowed to operate. New limitations are constraining how the media portray a wide range of topics, from wars and international alliances to human rights and knowledge formation, from immigration and social marginalization to the economic and cultural policies implemented by those in power. While in the past, dire threats to the media were mostly associated with authoritarian regimes, the autocratic turn taking place in liberal democracies has forced those involved with media environments to deal with intimidation and punishments once considered taboo in democracies. With the distinction between liberal and illiberal media systems rendered more or less irrelevant by today’s realities, engaging with the media everywhere now requires a kind of strength not typically seen in democratic settings: courage. 

Courage calls for beliefs, values and actions that have not tended to need articulation for those living under democracy, largely because their viability was normalized long ago as part of its default setting. And yet, the capacity today to sustain one’s beliefs, commit to one’s values and act boldly in the face of adversity have become a golden rule for surviving democratic backsliding. Drawing on confidence, persistence, initiative and adaptability, courage can be physical, emotional, moral, social, spiritual and/or intellectual. With institutions central to democracy no longer able to accomplish their mission by following the rules that once governed their actions, courage is needed to persevere in the face of danger, intimidation and uncertainty. Because it involves a choice to confront risks that might otherwise seem unsurmountable, courage is crucial for developing ways of thinking and acting that are better attuned to the cobbled state of today’s institutions. 

Perhaps nowhere is this as much the case as with the media. It takes extraordinary strength for media practitioners, activists and scholars to sustain their previously normalized roles and avoid falling into the traps set by those in power. Being courageous means not accepting what George Orwell defined as the “truth of the leader,” and it comes at a high price, where daring to question official narratives is no longer assured. Not only is the survival of media corporations being put on the line, but all those involved with the media face a myriad of risks and dangers. These circumstances call upon media practitioners, activists and scholars to imagine alternative tools to express dissent. 

In these challenging and dangerous times, the Lisbon Winter School for the Study of Communication proposes to discuss the interconnections between Media and Courage. Courage can be addressed from a wide range of perspectives, understood as an ontological but also as an ethical concept in which one “affirms his own being” (Tillich, 1952: 3). 

While the consequences of challenging those in power may be better-known for those living in dictatorial states, in contemporary times expressing disagreement and dissent also demands courage from many living in democratic settings. So, what lessons are there to be learned from media courage and resistance in non-liberal countries? Which strategies have been used by scholars, filmmakers, photographers, journalists and social activists to denounce malpractices in autocratic regimes? How can such strategies be adopted in countries whose democratic institutions are being challenged? How can the media but also individuals use different platforms to denounce wrongdoings and expand the perspectives being debated in the public arena? How can the media avoid falling into the trap of being used as tools at the service of those who aim to promote fear and hate? How is dissidence being silenced through online and offline shaming, book bans, financial and physical threats? And how can communities support those who show courage to report on issues that challenge the official narratives? We welcome proposals by doctoral students and early career post-doctoral researchers from all over the world to discuss the intertwined relations between media and courage in different geographies and temporalities. The list below illustrates some of topics for possible consideration. Other topics dealing with media and courage are also welcomed: 

-       Courage in news reporting 

-       Witnessing war and tragedy

-       Courage on social media

-       Media activism

-       Denouncing hate speech and aggression against gender, racial and religious minorities

-       Alternative and underground media 

-       Threats and intimidation

-       Opposing anxiety and irrationality

-       Courage and Resistance 

-       Countering disinformation and misinformation 

-       Courage, populism and the media

-       (Self-)censorship

-       Courage and identity formation

-       Algorithms, AI and social trust

-       Expressing courage in the public arena in specific national or regional contexts

-       … 

CONFIRMED KEYNOTES:

Jacques Chevalier, Carleton University

Cherian George, Hong Kong Baptist University

Ejvind Hansen, Danish School of Media & Journalism

Ola Hnatiuk, Ukrainian Research Institute & University of Warsaw

Sarah Jackson, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania 

Patricia Kingori, University of Oxford

Jessica Roberts, Catholic University of Portugal

Catherine A. Sanderson, Amherst College

PAPER PROPOSALS

Proposals should be sent to lisbonwinterschool@ucp.pt no later than 5 September 2025 and include a paper title, extended abstract in English (700 words), name, e-mail address, institutional affiliation and a brief bio (max. 100 words) mentioning ongoing research. Applicants will be informed of the result of their submissions by late September. 

FULL PAPER SUBMISSION 

Presenters will be required to submit full papers (max. 20 pages, 1.5 spacing) by 10 December 2025.  

VENUE

The Lisbon Winter School will take place in the Lisbon campus of Universidade Católica Portuguesa and in several cultural institutions in the city of Lisbon 

ORGANIZERS

Nelson Ribeiro, Catholic University of Portugal 

Barbie Zelizer, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania 

CONVENORS

Sarah Banet-Weiser 

Risto Kunelius

Francis Lee

For more information visit lisbonwinterschool.com

Ethical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics

Deadline (for expression of interest): October 15, 2025

Ethical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics, welcomes papers on the ethics of generative artificial intelligence and related topics in communication practice. How do we sort the competing claims and concerns made for AI tools, including problems of bias, accuracy and hallucination, concerns over how it changes professional work or even displaces it, questions of transparency, control or ownership of content? How do these stack up against the opportunities that AI affords to make work more efficient, less prone to error or enabling professionals to extend their work? What ethical or regulatory boundary rails need to be put in place or what literacy is needed among both professionals and audiences? Underneath these questions are broader questions around these synthetic media, such as human autonomy or editorial independence and AI’s invisible role in shaping how knowledge is both produced and understood.

Please send us an expression of interest in the first instance. From the expressions, we will invite authors to submit full papers for the editors’ consideration. Acceptance will be on the basis of peer review of the full papers. We are looking for papers in two areas: 

1) critical-theoretical contributions on principles relating to the ethical use of AI in communication. This can include conceptual work on problems and issues, work on codes of ethics or other normative proposals, explorations of underlying ideas, analysis of the political economy of AI or similar approaches. This work may be empirical, but the focus should be on contributing to the analytical toolkit on AI

2) contributions on the use of AI in media and other communication practices. This can include analysis of media practice, case studies of good practice, reflections from practitioners on challenges and opportunities and the like. 

We welcome work by scholars, research students and communication professionals. The deadline for expressions of interest is 15 October 2025. Full papers will be due in March 2026 and publication will be in July 2026.

Expressions of interest should be 250 words and discuss, argument, approach and (where appropriate) the methods used.

Papers in Ethical Space are usually 5000 words, excluding references.

More on the journal at https://ethicalspace.pubpub.org/

Please contact the special issue editors, Donald Matheson and Stephen J.A. Ward, with any questions.

donald.matheson@canterbury.ac.nz

stephen.ward@bellaliant.net 

November 22, 2025

Online

Deadline: September 30, 2025

From algorithmic cultures to participatory trends, from narrative futures to inclusive innovation – RE: TREND – Culture in Motion is calling for your contribution. 

We want to invite you to submit a communication proposal to the III Trends and Culture Management Colloquium, hosted by ICNOVA/iNOVA Media Lab in collaboration with CEAUL/Trends and Culture Management Lab.

This edition focuses on digital transformations and cultural practices in motion, encouraging critical and creative reflection on the signals of change shaping today’s culture. We particularly welcome submissions from students and early-career researchers. Participation is free of charge

We invite abstracts (250–300 words) for 10-minute online presentations in Portuguese or English, addressing one or more of the following themes (but not limited to):

• Living Intelligence & Algorithmic Cultures

• Culture in Beta: Labs, Prototypes and Experiments

• Trendspotting, Semiotics and Brand Strategies

• Narrative Futures and Sociocultural Anticipation

• Datafied Culture and Inclusive Innovation

• Fandoms, Microcultures and Participatory Trends

• AI and Trend Research

• Communication, New Media and Trends

Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025

Format: Online

Keynote speaker to be announced soon

Submit your abstract: https://bit.ly/trendscolloquium

Deadline for submissions: 30 September 2025

We look forward to your contribution.

For more details, please visit: https://trendsandculture.fcsh.unl.pt

October 9-10, 2025

Vienna, Austria

Deadline: August 17, 2025

As streaming platforms challenge traditional distribution, AI reshapes storytelling and production processes, and as underrepresented communities continue to push for visibility and participation, the question is no longer whether the European film industry must adapt, but how, and who gets to lead the change.

Rebooting the industry requires an intersectional approach, one that considers the dynamic role of people (creators, audiences, and different groups), technological innovation (AI, digital platforms, XR), and institutions (festivals, funding bodies, policy frameworks). This conference will be a space for critical exchange, bold ideas, and collaborative futures.

Areas of interest

We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• What is film industry competitiveness?
  
• European policy/legal frameworks concerning the European film industry (e.g. copyright law, public support and European funding frameworks, media/entertainment law, platform regulation and content moderation, protection of minors).
  
• The role of children & youth for the European film industry as creators and audiences.
  
• Bringing overlooked European films into the spotlight (e.g. alternative film festivals, alternative film modes of film production, collectives, centre vs. periphery in European film industries)
  
• European distribution & new technology (e.g. streaming platforms and digital disruption)
  
• Innovative storytelling (e.g. AI/VR/XR, interactive formats)
  
• The interplay of generative AI and filmmaking (e.g. working conditions of creative workers, AI and ethical creativity, AI literacy and cultural industries)
  
• Representation and inclusion in the European film industry
  
• New narratives by women, youth, diaspora, and intersectional identities
  
• Gender and the European screen industries
  
• European film festivals as spaces of resistance and cultural diversity
  
• Training, access, and equity in the European film workforce
  
• Governance, sustainability and democratic participation in the audiovisual sector
  

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts (300-400 words) should be accompanied by a short bio (max. 100 words each).

Panel proposals (ca. 60 minutes) must include a panel title, brief rationale (max. 300 words), and details of 3-4 speakers.

Abstracts must be submitted via the following link: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/79051/submitter

Panel proposals must be submitted via email: info@thereboot-project.eu

Screening the Scene: Rethinking European film competitivenessConference Dates: 9 and 10 October 2025

Location: Department of Communication, University of Vienna

Deadline for Abstract Submission: on a rolling basis until August 17, 2025

Conference Description

The European film industry stands at a critical juncture, shaped by shifting technologies, evolving societal demands, global political changes and the need for more inclusive and adaptive institutional frameworks. Under the theme “Screening the Scene: Rethinking European film competitiveness”, this conference seeks to explore innovative strategies and fresh perspectives that can reinvigorate the industry for a sustainable, equitable, and competitive future.

We invite scholars, practitioners, policymakers, creatives and industry stakeholders to submit abstracts for the REBOOT Conference, a two-day, no entry-fee event dedicated to critically reflecting on and advancing the future of the European film industry.

The REBOOT project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon research and innovation programme under grant agreement 101094796.

Conference Registration opens on August 17, 2025

Please note, as this is a free to attend event, we have limited places; if we have enough interest in a hybrid format, we will open this event to online participation.

Join us as we bring the REBOOT project to a powerful close through dialogue, debate and vision - building.Let’s collectively shape the next chapter of Europe’s film and audiovisual future.

Conference Speakers

Roland Teichmann (Director – Austrian Film Institute)

Katharine Schenk (Director – ORF Television Film)

Rodrigo Gómez (Professor, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa)

Ufuoma Akpojivi (Policy-Research and Leearning Lead – A4ID)

Juliette Prissard (General Delegate - Eurocinema)

Brigid O’Shea (Director - Documentary Association of Europe)

Scientific Committee Bios

(available here)

• Jean-François Trubert
  
• Kaisa Hiltunen
  
• Daniel Biltereyst
  
• Melis Behlil
  
• Caterina Sganga
  
• Jacek Mikucki
  
• Fernando Ramos Arenas
  
• Antonios Vlassis
  
• Katharine Sarikakis
  
• David Nieborg
  
• Ramon Lobato

Organising Committee

Katharine Sarikakis

Professor of Communication Science, Media Governance and Industries Research Lab, Department of Communication, Univie

T: +43-1-4277-493 94

E: katharine.sarikakis@univie.ac.at

Angeliki Chatziefraimidou

Researcher, Media Governance and Industries Research Lab, Department Of Communication, Univie

T: +43-1-4277-49348

E: angeliki.chatziefraimidou@univie.ac.at

Gentiana Ramadani

Researcher, Media Governance and Industries Research Lab, Department of Communication, Univie

T: +43-1-4277-48328

E: gentiana.ramadani@univie.ac.at

Simon Haslauer

Student Project Researcher, Media Governance and Industries Research Lab Department of Communication, Univie

E: simon.haslauer@univie.ac.at

Yves Saint Clair Zogo

Student Project Researcher, Media Governance and Industries Research Lab, Department of Communication, Univie

E: yves.saint.clair.zogo@univie.ac.at

October 3-4, 2025

University of Nicosia (Cyprus)

Deadline (EXTENDED): August 20, 2025

The conference is co-organized by the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Review (BSEMR), the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), the School of Law in the University of Nicosia, and the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Black Sea and Mediterranean Studies in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (ILABSEM AUTh). The conference will take place in UNIC premises, Nicosia, on October 3-4, 2025. 

The NEW DEADLINE for submitting an abstract proposal to our conference is August 20th 2025. 

The Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Review (BSEMR) and its constituent institutions, the School of Law in the University of Nicosia and the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Black Sea and Mediterranean Studies in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (ILABSEM AUTh) issue a call for abstracts for participation in an international conference. The conference is co-organized by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).

We are at a time when peace, security and prosperity are deteriorating globally and regionally. This trend is observable in the devastating wars that have evolved over the past three years in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean (BSEM) regions, as it surely is evident in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the inordinate regime change in Syria. These cases make a contrast to the state of international affairs during the immediately previous period. Notably in the face of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, when members and agencies of the International Community coordinated normally and cooperated duly in an orderly fashion.

These recent incidents mark the utterly volatile times of dense and rapid changes that we are undergoing. They concurrently mark a remarkable and precipitous now transition of the global system: from a perceived global unipolarity of power, towards a de facto multi-polar global system of powers. Despite these fundamentally structural changes, or rather more because of them, state sovereignty and governing power, ordered stability, diplomacy and principled leadership are all in question, as they are in demand, on many interconnected levels. Yet, they are in short supply, even in the worst hit areas.

During such fluid, fast-accelerating, uncertain developments one observes both state and non-state agencies promoting their narrow scope, agendas in unconventional, underhand, and opportunistic ways, thereby pursuing unilateral, questionable, or aggressively selfish strategies in contravention of international law and of acceptable ‘good practices’.

In both the international and transnational arenas prevalent modii operandi have been altered, moving away from the consensus of internationally acceptable norms and courses of action. A sharp dichotomy arises between two groups of states: a. those that respect the law and international institutions such as the UN and its agencies, and which act accordingly, and in defense of international law, and b. those that violate it, blatantly, albeit without publicly and officially admitting to such strategies.

Alongside overt military conflicts numerous covert wars are also deployed such as organized crime cyber-attacks, vandalism, massive bot-fake-news’ manipulation operations or targeted violence that challenge the political stability and the effectiveness of states, or power blocks such as the EU, and which undermine social cohesion and confidence. This entails that politically accountable policymaking is now in question. Destabilizing governments occur via confusion and elements of flux, as confidence and effectiveness in political systems evaporates. Besides, citizens in democracies are astounded by the double-standards of certain rulers and the consequences of unpredictable and shocking events which result in subverting their security, peace, and prosperity.

The organizers invite abstracts for conference papers which focus on topics deriving from this rationale. Notably,

* The interplay between regional and global dynamics in ascertaining legality, legitimacy and in matters of security and social cohesion,

* Corruption aberrations and manifestations of violence underpinned by the phenomena of international lawlessness or anomia,

* Interplay of trust and political credibility between the regional, local and international at large and global levels.

* Power handling, power management by governing elites and civic powerlessness.

* The rapid growth of strong-arm tactics at all levels, both national, international and transnational,

* The abandonment of free trade and the return to protectionist economic measures by the USA, all during sheer deregulation of several hegemonic players,

* Current NATO countries’ antagonisms and/or persistent conflictual relations, including reorientation amongst certain North-Atlantic partners.

*Europe’s turn towards autonomous defense and its potential implications in the BSEM,

* The tremendous rise of cyber-attacks and their impact on both private and public life as well as on the stability of states,

* Impact of inter-neighbour sabotage actions.

These are some of the central topics that conference participants are welcome to address with their research papers, but this list is not exhaustive.

VENUE: University of Nicosia, Cyprus

SIGNIFICANT DATES:

Paper proposals (abstracts up to 500 words) should be submitted via email, to bsemr@auth.gr by August 20, 2025 (extended deadline)

Response to applicants will be sent by August 25, 2025

Full papers should be handed in by September 20, 2025, via email to bsemr@auth.gr

Conference dates: October 3 and October 4, 2025

There are no fees to participate in this Conference. Participants are, however, responsible for securing their own funding for travel and lodging.

Online participation allowed for participants who cannot travel to Cyprus.

Papers may qualify for publication to the BSEMR and the South Eastern European Journal of Economics, following a double-blind peer review process.

November 19-21, 2025

Seville, Spain

Early bird submission deadline: September 10 (inclusive)

Late submission deadline: October 15 (inclusive)

https://eventos.us.es/138341/detail/ai-children-and-youth-transforming-media-play-and-social-interaction.html

Artificial intelligence (AI) is (re)defining the way children and teenagers relate to media, play, as well as their social interactions. Through chatbots and voice assistants, applications (storytelling, language learning, emotional recognition, etc.), and virtual/interactive educational games, AI-driven tools are becoming essential companions in their digital experiences. This conference aims to explore the cultural and social impacts of these changes, focusing on AI’s influence on digital self-expression, play-related experiences, intergenerational relationships, and audio-visual production. Rather than perceiving AI merely as a neutral instrument, our goal is to explore its role as a cultural force that guides the ways in which young individuals relate to media and the world surrounding them.

From this standpoint, we seek submissions that examine the role of play (both physical and digital) within artificial intelligence: as a medium for literacy development; to personalize the learning experience by adapting activities based on a child’s responses; to simulate and create virtual realities where children can establish forms of communication with one another (e.g., Animal Crossing); for narrative construction and image generation; to explore their environment through a dual modality of discovery (e.g., Pokemon Go); and in instances where the user is required to engage physically, among other aspects. How do these factors shape the way youngsters learn, play and interact with each other? 

In this sense, AI driven tools present new creative opportunities for young people, yet they may also limit these opportunities due to algorithmic biases and the lack of autonomy in children’s decision-making. AI tools for content creation, such as story generation or character illustration may be configured to reinforce biases related to race or gender (e.g., “create a character” and the image generated is a white male). Simultaneously, algorithmic personalization, which depends on user data (e.g., likes, previous choices, etc.), has an impact on the construction of media referents and the identities of young individuals. As AI customizes content according to “preferences” and responses, children and adolescents are presented with specific representations that either reinforce stereotypes or, conversely, exclude them from certain categories. Such exposure can significantly influence the identity that youth develop.

Furthermore, contributions exploring the influence of AI on intergenerational relationships are also encouraged. Children’s exposure and  engagement with AI-based content can sometimes exceed the understanding of parents and caregivers. However, AI also presents opportunities for fostering intergenerational connections. For instance, AI-driven educational games may create a collaborative environment where both children and adults can jointly explore the ethical, creative, and social ramifications of emerging technologies.

Ultimately, as audiovisual media remains central to Communication Studies, AI is also transforming the practices of content creators who produce for young audiences. The increasing use of generative AI in the creative industries has raised concern among screenwriters and animators, triggering debates around authorship, ethics, and creative ownership, as evidenced by recent writers’ strikes and the controversy surrounding AI- generated images that imitate established artistic styles. Simultaneously, children’s media also incorporates these issues into its narratives, often oscillating between utopian promise and dystopian threat, as seen in films like The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Mike Rianda, 2021) or The Wild Robot (Chris Sanders, 2024). These representations are key in shaping how youth think about and relate to technology, trust, and agency, highlighting the need to analyze both the production and depiction of AI in contemporary storytelling and animation.

Key topics (included but not limited to):

• Definitions and fundamentals of AI related to childhood context.
  
• Regulations and norms on AI in media for children and teenagers.
  
• Ethical and social concerns regarding AI in youth media.
  
• AI-driven play based on child responses.
  
• AI games that promote movement and interaction with the environment.
  
• Interactive AI games for narrative building and image generation.
  
• Digital literacy in children through AI-based play and ethical considerations.
  
• Content mediation and parenting in the age of AI.
  
• Transformations in children’s communicative practices in AI.
  
• Role of algorithmic recommendation in the shaping of children’s media identities.
  
• AI and the reinforcement of cultural stereotypes in visual and narrative constructs.
  
• Ideological discourses present in AI-driven media narratives for children and youth.
  
• Role of AI in creating shared learning experiences across generations.
  
• Representations of AI in film and television for children and youth.
  
• Authorship, consent, and the aesthetics of appropriation in AI-generated art.
  
• Intersection of AI and artistic labor exploring the challenges faced by animators and writers.
  

Format and participation 

This CYM Mid-Term Conference 2025 will be held over three days, divided into different thematic blocks.

PhD Workshop - Wednesday, November 19

This workshop is aimed at PhD students, and its main objective is to promote networking among participants before the start of the congress. It will be a meeting place to share lines of research, explore possible forms of collaboration, and encourage the creation of academic networks.

In addition to the open discussion and the opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting, the meeting will include a couple of talks focused on the use of artificial intelligence in relation to some of the key topics of the congress, which will be detailed in the program soon.

Conference - Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21

During these two days the congress will be held in its usual format, with parallel round tables dedicated to different thematic lines. We will have the participation of keynote speakers specialized in children's content and/or artificial intelligence. Also, there will be video essay projection sessions in the Home Cinema room, in order to give visibility to this format as a legitimate form of research and creation in academia.

The conference prioritizes face-to-face participation. The hybrid modality will only be considered in exceptional cases that justify it. In the case of video-essays, the physical presence of the author will not be mandatory, although it is recommended in case the audience wishes to ask questions after the screening.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions may consist of either individual presentations or panel proposals comprising no more than five contributors or co-authors. Proposals that are inter or multidisciplinary in nature are encouraged, and submissions from early-stage researchers are welcomed. We also consider the possibility of including video essays  as a format of participation. A video essay is a short audiovisual piece that develops an argument, theory or critical analysis using the expressive tools of audiovisual language (editing, voice-over, music, or the use of images, including clips from films, series, animations, etc.). Video essays should be between 4 and 10 minutes long and must include English subtitles if the audio is in Spanish.

The individual proposal should include the following information:

● Title of the proposal

● Abstract (max. 300 words)

● Author name(s), institutional affiliation(s) and short bio (max. 100 words)

The panel proposal should include the following information:

● Panel abstract (max. 300 words)

● A maximum of 4–5 papers, each with:

      1. Paper title

      2. Abstract (max. 150 words)

      3. Author’s name and affiliation

      4. Short bio (max. 100 words)

Note: All participants must register individually once the panel is accepted.

The abstract should clearly state the topic of the research, the main arguments or research questions, its relevance to the conference theme, the theoretical framework and/or methodology used, as well as the expected findings or contributions.

Abstracts must be submitted in English. However, the registration form includes an option to indicate a preference for presenting in Spanish. Should a significant number of proposals be submitted in Spanish, a dedicated session in Spanish will be organized within the conference program.

The organizing committee is currently in contact with academic journals and publishing houses to explore potential publications arising from the conference. Additional details will be provided communicated in due course.

Here on the website, you’ll find a language selection tab at the top right corner. In the “Proposal Submission” section, you can fill out the form and submit your abstract. To do so, you will need to log in through your university or create an account as an external user — only then will the submission form become available.

For any questions, please contact us through the “Contact” section or by email at ecrea.cym.2025.sevilla@us.es.

Submission and Registration Deadlines

Early bird submission deadline: September 10 (inclusive)

              ● Notification of acceptance: by September 25

Late submission deadline: October 15 (inclusive)

              ● Notification of acceptance: by November 1

Please note: Abstracts will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis as they are received, aiming for the shortest possible turnaround time. If you submit an abstract after the early bird notification deadline (September 25), we may still be able to provide an acceptance decision by October 5 to allow registration at the early bird rate. However, this cannot be guaranteed, and the time available to complete payment will be shorter. Same applies for the late registration dates.

*To view the fees and deadlines for early and late registration, please visit the "Registration" section.

Organizers

This conference is a Mid-Term Conference of the Children, Youth and Media (CYM) Section of ECREA, supported by Universidad de Sevilla (Spain).

Springer Book Series

Deadline: August 31, 2025

We are pleased to announce a Call for Chapters for two upcoming edited volumes in Springer’s book series, The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology. Both volumes are under contract with Springer and will be co-edited by Ljubisa Bojic, Zoran Eric, and Ana Lipij.

The book titles are:

1. Ethics of AI Alignment: Rethinking Society Beyond Human

2. Ethics of AI Alignment: The Challenge of International Alignment

We have already confirmed a number of contributors, but we are seeking up to 10 additional chapter authors. We welcome both theoretical and empirical contributions from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and perspectives.

Possible overarching topics (indicative, not limited to):

- Part I: Theoretical Foundations of AI Ethics

- Part II: Societal, Environmental, and Existential Implications

- Part III: Global Challenges and Future Directions

- Part IV: AI in Creative and Applied Domains

Please send an abstract of up to 200 words (using this template) to Ljubisa Bojic at: ljubisa.bojic@ifdt.bg.ac.rs

Deadline: 31 August

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to exploring the important issues at the intersection of AI alignment, ethics, global challenges, and societal changes.

Best regards,

Ljubisa Bojic, Zoran Eric, and Ana Lipij

Editors