ECREA WEEKLY digest ARTICLES

Edited by: Neil Thurman, Imke Henkel, Sina Thaesler-Kordonouri and Richard Fletcher

This report is based on a survey conducted between September and November 2023 with a representative sample of 1,130 UK journalists, a follow-up to a similar survey in 2015 (Thurman et al. 2016). The survey was carried out as part of the third wave of the Worlds of Journalism Study project. Our analysis of the survey data and of over 200 other relevant sources of information has produced numerous findings.

This report documents increased precarity in the profession with a shift away from permanent contracts and growth in the number of freelancers, lingering inequalities between specific groups in terms of pay and seniority, the continued adoption of new technologies that bring benefits but also exacerbate risks, and changing conceptions of roles, ethics, and journalism’s relationship with society.

ECREA members can access the publication open access here: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/uk-journalists-2020s

May 28, 2025

Online

The coffee gathering of the Children, Youth & Media Section of ECREA will take place virtually on 28 May at 5 pm (CET).

Read more: https://cymecrea.wordpress.com/2025/04/09/how-can-we-give-science-back-to-the-community/

May 5, 2025

Online

Continuing our series of research meetings focused on specific issues in mediatization research — chaired in past years by eminent experts such as Göran Bolin (2017), Johan Fornäs (2018), Andreas Hepp (2019), Mark Deuze (2020), André Jansson (2021), Andrew Hoskins (2022), Kirsten Frandsen (2023), and Carlos A. Scolari (2024) — this year’s workshop will be held online on 5 December 2025.

It will be led by Michael Skey from Loughborough University.
The title of this year’s edition is: Youth, Sports, and Media.
We invite researchers who wish to discuss their current projects within a focused and closed group of media scholars, under the guidance of an expert.

Important dates:

• 27 October 2025 – Submission of abstracts
  
• 5 December 2025 – Closed online workshop
  

Details and registration form:
https://www.umcs.pl/pl/towards-development-of-mediatization-research-ix-youth-sports-and-media,32378.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ1eVpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYVmd3MVhPdXh2U0NDM1VVAR6n83CD81hTEs8jIjkc1w33VqH2zVxwWR3It2-6kgtBwj4oIKyUPWl12AoMZA_aem_yo4EG_k9V-m5jI6jjoWMbg

For any substantive questions about the workshop, please contact:
Katarzyna Kopecka-Piech
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin
 katarzyna.kopecka-piech@umcs.pl

Paderborn University

Paderborn University is a high-performance and internationally oriented university. Within interdisciplinary teams, we undertake forward-looking research, design innovative teaching concepts and actively transfer knowledge into society. As an important research and cooperation partner, the university also shapes regional development strategies. We offer our employees in research, teaching, technology and administration a lively, family-friendly and equal opportunity environment, a lean management structure and diverse opportunities. Join us to invent the future!

In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities the following position is to be filled by 1 April 2026:

W3-Professorship (f/m/d) of Media Pedagogy with a Focus on Empirical Media Research

The future incumbent of the position should conduct research and teaching in the realm of Media Pedagogy with a Focus on Empirical Media Research.

The tasks of the jobholder include:

• Teaching in the degree programmes offered by the Department of Media Studies and the Institute of Educational Science (50% each)

• Contribution to the development and design of degree programmes

• Research in the realm of Media Pedagogy and Empirical Media Research

• Involvement in joint research projects

• Participation in the University's self-administration

We expect:

• Research and teaching experience in Media Pedagogy

• Experience in the application and teaching of empirical research methods in the Social Sciences and Media Research

• Experience in the critical analysis of and critical reflection on the relationship of the media and education/pedagogy in the context of society, culture, and technology

• Doctorate and additional academic achievements that go beyond a doctorate (such as habilitation or habilitation-equivalent achievements)

We favour:

• Interdisciplinary research in relevant areas of society such as critical political education, education for democracy, or education for sustainable development

• A critical engagement with Media Pedagogy-concepts and practices such as media literacy, media criticism/critical media education/critical media pedagogy, digital education, digital & data literacy, AI literacy

• An international academic orientation

• Ability to teach also in English

Recruitment requirements:
§ 36 Abs. 1 Ziff. 1 to 4 HG NRW (University law of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) (completed university degree, pedagogical aptitude, Ph.D. degree and additional academic achievements).

Applications from women are particularly welcome and, in case of equal qualifications and experiences, will receive preferential treatment according to state law (LGG), unless there are preponderant reasons to give preference to another applicant. Applications from disabled people with appropriate suitability are explicitly welcome. This also applies to people with equal opportunities in accordance with the German social law SGB IX.

Paderborn University is certified as a family-friendly university. With our Dual Career Service, we support your partner with career orientation in the region if required. We will be happy to provide you with information about living and working in Paderborn and help you to find childcare options. If you are coming to us from abroad, our Welcome Services will support you on your arrival in Germany.

Please submit your application consisting of the following documents using the Ref. No. 6862 until 5 June 2025 in English or German electronically via the job portal of Paderborn University here:

• A cover letter of no more than three pages in length, in which the motivation, suitability for the professorship (structured discussion of the application criteria) and the planned profile of the professorship in the context of the Department, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Paderborn University are outlined

• CV

• Certificates

• Publication list (the 5 publications most relevant to the professorship are to be marked)

• Overview of the courses held and the supervision of dissertations

• Three course evaluations

• If applicable, information on severely disabled status

Please submit only the requested documents in full. A more detailed research and teaching concept, along with relevant publications, should only be submitted at the second stage of the application process if requested.

The status of the appointment process can be followed on the Appointment Monitor: here

Information regarding the processing of your personal data can be located at: www.uni-paderborn.de/zv/personaldatenschutz

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Paderborn University
Warburger Straße 100
33098 Paderborn, Germany

October 9-10, 2025

Budapest, Hungary

This interdisciplinary symposium will explore the evolving intersection of mediatization, technology, and society, focusing on how automation, algorithmic culture, and AI systems transform media, communication, institutions, and everyday life. Under the thematic triad of truth, trust, and transformation, we invite contributions that critically examine how technological mediation reshapes epistemic authority, social imaginaries, public discourse, science communication or journalism while also interrogating the shifting boundaries between humans, technologies, and institutions.

We welcome theoretical and empirical work from scholars in media and communication studies, science and technology studies (STS), sociology, political science, digital humanities, and related fields of interdisciplinary research. The event aims to foster dialogue on the role of mediatization in reinforcing or disrupting trust, navigating post-truth conditions, and envisioning new pathways for democratic and ethical transformation in technologically saturated societies.

As part of this initiative, the organizing committee will submit a proposal for a Special Issue in a Q-ranked journal. The highest-rated papers from the symposium will be considered for publication, especially those developed through open discussion/workshop-based collaboration.

Apply HERE.

June 16-17, 2025

Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Deadline: April 27/May 14, 2025

International Conference and Working Group Meeting – COST Action TraFaDy

Globalisation and migratory flows have profoundly reshaped contemporary societies, prompting challenges and opportunities for individuals, families and organisations. In this context, transnational dynamics and relationships have become striking phenomena, associated with complex processes of autonomisation, co-dependence, intergenerational solidarity, connection and the construction of intercultural identities (Baykara-Krumme & Fokkema, 2019; Bryceson & Vuorela, 2002; Cienfuegos et al., 2023).

Our digital world, while enabling further interactions, the reinvention of relationships, and new ways of being present, also brings with it the risks associated with the spread of misinformation and ambivalent dynamics with digital tools (Baldassar et al., 2016; Smets et al., 2020). All the above seriously impact relationships within families and therefore merit analysis in various fields.

Therefore, despite the increase in the mobility and circulation of people and goods, there are also challenges to family/relational fragmentation of interest to transdisciplinary studies in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, particularly in the areas of Psychology, Cultural Studies, Communication and Social Work.

This event, which combines a meeting of Working Group 4 of the TraFady COST Action and a conference, aims to promote theoretical approaches, training, and capacity building. To this end, we are opening a call for presentations including, but not limited to the following topics:

• Cultural representations of migration and transnational relationships

• Transnational Family Dynamics

• National and international migration

• Social policies for the family

• Social policies for migration

• Digital practices for wellbeing in a transnational context

• Media literacy and information in transnational and migratory contexts

• Relationship between work and migration

• Brain Drain and its impact

• Intergenerational solidarity

• Artistic responses to migration and translational relationships

• The role of cultural and artistic expressions in health and wellbeing in transnational settings

• The impact of technology and communication

• Environmental migration

• Cultural adaptation

• The emotional impact of migration

• The emotional impact of family separation

The event will include:

• Keynote Lectures (to be confirmed);

• Workshop on the role of the media in the integration and well-being of transnational families;

• Paper sessions (subject to submission);

• Round table with community agents working with migrants in Portugal;

• Meetings and training for WG4 of COST Action TraFaDy (members-only event).

Organising Committee:
Barros, Carlos – Chair | Borges Tavares, Sandra | Costa Ramalho, Susana | Jesus, Antonela | Lindemann Lino, Verena.

Scientific Committee:
Aguiar, Joyce (CIPES/U. Porto) | Araújo, Emília (U. Minho) | Backström, Bárbara (U. Aberta) | Barros, Carlos (UCP) | Borges Tavares, Sandra (UCP) | Carneiro Pinto, Joana (UCP) | Costa Ramalho, Susana (UCP) | Emirhafizović, Mirza (U. Sarajevo) | Espada Vieira, Inês (UCP) | Ganito, Carla (UCP) | Gaspar, Augusta (UCP) | Gomes Esteves, Francisco (UCP) | Guerra, Inês (UCP) | Haagsman, Karlijn (Maastricht U.) | Hanenberg, Peter (UCP) | Jesus, Antonela (UCP) | Lindemann Lino, Verena (UCP) | Rebelo Pinto, Helena (UCP) | Schrooten, Mieke (Odisee U.) | Telegdi Csetri, Viorela (Babes Bolyai U.)

How to submit:
Please fill in the following form link, including title, three to five keywords, an abstract (between 250 and 350 words), as well as references in APA 7 format.

Submission of papers – Important deadlines:

• Early Submission: until 27th April (23h59, GMT+1); communication of acceptance of proposals – by 4th May (23h59, GMT+1); Conference registration/confirmation - by 9th May (23h59, GMT+1)

• Late Submission: until 14th May (23h59, GMT+1); communication of acceptance of proposals – by 18th May (23h59, GMT+1); Conference registration/confirmation - by 21st May (23h59, GMT+1)

Fees and grants:

• The conference is free but requires submission before the dates set above. Registration for members of the audience will take place at a later stage.

• A grant is available to support travel to the meeting + conference (this includes the daily allowance and flight support) for Action COST TraFaDy members. There are 26 grants available for early submissions only. Should any grants remain after this period, they will be allocated to late submissions. For all funding inquiries, members of Action COST TraFaDy should contact the local COST organiser and co-leader of the group, Carlos Barros, at cbarros@ucp.pt. For all other queries, please contact us at connectedlivesconference@gmail.com.

References:
Baldassar, L., Nedelcu, M., Merla, L., & Wilding, R. (2016). ICT-based co-presence in transnational families and communities: Challenging the premise of face-to-face proximity in sustaining relationships. Global Networks, 16(2), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.12108

Baykara-Krumme, H., & Fokkema, T. (2019). The impact of migration on intergenerational solidarity types. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 45(10), 1707-1727. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1485203

Bryceson, D., & Vuorela, U. (Eds.). (2002). The transnational family: New european frontiers and global networks (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003087205

Cienfuegos, J., Brandhorst, R., & Bryceson, F.B. (Eds.). (2023). Handbook of transnational families around the world. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15278-8

Smets, K., Leurs, K., Georgiou, M., Witteborn, S., & Gajjala, R. (2020). The SAGE Handbook of Media and Migration. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526476982

University of the Arts London (UAL)

We invite applications for a PhD studentship at University of the Arts London (UAL) to work on a project on “Understanding social media disinformation and war propaganda through the historical archive”, supervised by Dr. Felipe Soares.

This project aims to understand contemporary practices of disinformation and war propaganda on social media through comparison with war propaganda from historical archives linked to the First and Second World Wars. This project will broadly explore the following question: How can we better understand and contextualise contemporary practices of war propaganda on social media through the investigation of WWI and WWII historical archives?

The PhD student will be based at London College of Communication and work in partnership with the Imperial War Museum Institute.

The studentships cover fees at the UK Home rate and a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate for three years full time or six years part time, pro rata for part-time (2025/26 full time rate £22,780). Students with an ‘overseas’ fee status can apply but will need to cover the difference between the UK and overseas fees rate (2025/26 home rate £6620/overseas £26310), and will be required to reside in the UK until completion of the PhD.

Please review the following link for more information about the project and how to apply: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/fees-and-funding/phd-and-mphil-funding/ual-post-graduate-research-studentships. The deadline for applications is 12 May 2025.

April 29, 2025 (1:30 PM)

The British Association of Comparative Law warmly invite you to a discussion of Dr Irini Katsirea’s book, Press Freedom and Regulation in a Digital Era: A Comparative Study (2024), from 12.30-2pm.

This book examines the challenges for press freedom in the nascent digital news ecosystem. Drawing upon decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as from German, UK and US case law, this comparative work explores the regulation of the press in the digital era and the impact of the proliferating media laws, policies, and jurisprudence on press freedom.

Professor Jacob Rowbottom (University of Oxford) will chair the discussion between Dr Irini Katsirea (University of Sheffield), Dr Peter Coe (University of Birmingham), Emeritus Professor Thomas Gibbons (University of Manchester), and Emeritus Professor Bernd Holznagel (University of Münster). There will be time for Q&A.

Register HERE.

Special Issue of International Journal of Communication (IJoC)

Deadline: End of June 2025

The Open Society Hub for the Politics of the Anthropocene (Central European University, Austria) and the Disinformation Research Cluster (University of Sheffield, UK) are pleased to invite submissions for a Special Issue of International Journal of Communication (IJoC) on the theme of “Climate Disinformation: European and Global Perspectives”, to be published by July 2026.

Climate-related disinformation, ranging from climate change denialism to conspiratorial narratives about decarbonisation, remains a serious obstacle to effective climate action. This disinformation is often amplified by networks involving politicians, think tanks, politically motivated organisations, and anonymous actors, all working to sow doubt and undermine public trust in climate science. Such efforts not only delay urgent policy responses but also erode the scientific consensus necessary for broad societal change.

In Europe, while political momentum around decarbonisation is growing, denialist voices continue to challenge green initiatives. Climate denialism is increasingly used as a political tool, shaping electoral campaigns and lobbying against environmental regulation. Meanwhile, greenwashing by corporations adds another layer of complexity, eroding public confidence in legitimate sustainability efforts and blurring the line between genuine action and corporate PR.

International bodies like UNESCO and the UN have called for stronger action against disinformation, yet significant gaps remain in our understanding of how it spreads and how best to counter it. This Special Issue seeks contributions that critically examine the dynamics of climate disinformation and evaluate the effectiveness of counterstrategies, such as fact-checking, emphasising scientific consensus, cultural messaging, and pre-emptive inoculation approaches.

We invite papers that focus on, but are not limited to, the following issues:

• Climate change disinformation: mapping the stakeholders contesting public perceptions of climate change and decarbonisation
• Influence of political ideologies on climate change beliefs
• Impact of Big Tech companies: investigating how technology and social media algorithms contribute to the spread of climate change denialism
• Geopolitics, political warfare and climate change disinformation
• Climate change scepticism in the “Global South”: exploring the dynamics of climate change scepticism in developing regions
• Challenges of greenwashing: eroding public trust and slowing down systemic change
• Strategies for countering climate change disinformation

Deadline for submissions: end of June 2025

The submission must default to the 6th edition of the APA style guide.

Research articles should range between 6,000 and 8,900 words (all-inclusive). Papers must not exceed 8,900 words.

We would also like to stress that submission to the IJoC Special Issue does not guarantee publication. This will depend on the outcome of the peer review process.

Please send your manuscripts by the indicated deadline to KocsanyA@ceu.edu.

University of Fribourg, Switzerland

The Department of Communication and Media Research at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, offers an International Visiting Scholarship for communication scientists in the postdoctoral phase, financed by a fund raised by the department’s founding fathers Dr. Max Gressly and Dr. Florian Fleck. The remuneration consists of CHF 5.000, permitting a stay of two to three months. The full call for applications for a stay in Fribourg in 2026 is available here: https://www.unifr.ch/dcm/en/assets/public/files/flyers/Gressly-Fleck2026.pdf. Application deadline is 30 September 2025.