Call for proposals 2026
The Digital Divide (DID) Working Group invites the submission of abstracts for its 2026 conference, to be held from 28 June to 2 July 2026 in Galway, Ireland, hosted by the University of Galway.
The deadline for submission is 3 February 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
Central theme
IAMCR conferences cover a wide range of topics defined by our thematic Sections and Working Groups (S/WG). Each year, a central theme invites participants to engage in shared reflection across these diverse areas, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
The 2026 central theme, Peripheries and Connections: Media, Communication, and Transformation, addresses the complexities of contemporary media systems in a polarised and interconnected world. By interrogating the tensions between centrality and marginality—whether geographical, cultural, political, or conceptual—this theme aligns with IAMCR’s commitment to fostering critical and inclusive dialogues across diverse perspectives.
Consult a detailed description of the main theme
Focus of the Digital Divide Working Group
The Digital Divide Working Group (DID) invites proposals that critically examine how digital peripheries and connections shape participation, access, agency and power in contemporary societies.
In line with the conference’s central theme, we particularly welcome submissions that explore how digital inequalities mirror, sustain, or challenge broader social, political and epistemic divides in an era of accelerated technological transformation.
Digital divides are no longer confined to access and skills; they extend into algorithmic bias, data colonialism, linguistic exclusions and cognitive inequities. At the same time, marginalised groups and peripheral actors often innovate from the edges, generating new forms of digital inclusion, literacy and resistance.
We invite theoretical, methodological and empirical work that illuminates these tensions — between connection and exclusion, visibility and erasure, empowerment and dependence — across diverse global contexts.
Indicative Topics
We welcome submissions that address (but are not limited to) the following areas:
- Peripheral Connectivity and Exclusion: Unequal infrastructures, connectivity gaps and their socio-political implications.
- AI and Algorithmic Inequality: How artificial intelligence and data systems reproduce or transform digital hierarchies.
- Digital Capital and New Hierarchies: Conceptualising digital capital as a form of intangible capital influencing access, opportunity and representation.
- Data Colonialism and Knowledge Flows: Power relations in data extraction, ownership and global information circuits.
- Platform Peripheries: The role of platforms in amplifying or muting voices from the margins.
- Digital Literacy and Empowerment: Local, Indigenous, or gender-sensitive approaches to building equitable participation.
- Global South Perspectives: Comparative and case-based analyses of digital inequalities and postcolonial communication.
- Emerging Divides in AI, VR and Blockchain: Unequal access to next-generation technologies and their socio-cultural consequences.
- Epistemic Justice and Digital Research: How digital peripheries reshape knowledge-making and visibility in academia and activism.
- Digital Inclusion and the SDGs: Interlinkages between digital access, sustainability and social justice.
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts for papers to be presented in person at one of the Digital Divide Working Group’s conference sessions, should be between 700 and 1000 words. They must be submitted exclusively through IAMCR’s submission system from 28 November 2025 through 3 February 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Abstracts submitted by email will not be considered.
Proposals are accepted for:
- Individual Papers and
- Panel Proposals (4–5 papers addressing a common theme).
Abstracts must include a clear research argument (or question), methodological approach and expected contribution to theory or practice related to the digital divide.
It is expected that each person will submit only one abstract. However, no author’s name should appear on more than two abstracts, either individually or as part of any group of authors and authors should not submit more than one abstract to any single section or working group. The same abstract, or a version with minor variations in title or content, must not be submitted to more than one Section or Working Group. Such submissions will be deemed to be in breach of the conference guidelines and will be rejected. Authors submitting the same work to multiple Sections or Working Groups may be removed entirely from the conference programme.
Evaluation criteria
Submitted abstracts will generally be evaluated on the basis of:
- Technical merit
- Readability
- Originality and/or significance
- Use of or contribution to theory
- Depth of knowledge of the research, theory and/or literature related to the proposed topic as evidenced in the submission
- Relevance to the working group and current trends or controversies in its field
Acceptance of proposals may also be conditioned by programme diversity and balance criteria.
Languages
The Digital Divide Working Group accepts proposals in English only and can only arrange presentations in English at the conference.
Statement on use of AI tools
IAMCR does not encourage or condone the use of generative AI tools to prepare abstracts submitted for consideration for our conferences. IAMCR values originality, integrity, and transparency in academic work, and believes that human-authored contributions best support rigorous and innovative scholarship in media and communication research. Should an author choose to use a generative AI tool in the preparation of an abstract, we require that they include a clear statement within their submission disclosing the tool's use. This statement must specify: (1) the name of any AI tool used; (2) how the tool was used in preparing the abstract, and; (3) the reason for using the tool. Failure to disclose the use of generative AI in accordance with these guidelines may impact the evaluation and acceptance of the submission.
Intention to attend
Each abstract submitted to IAMCR represents a real cost to the Association and contributes to the workload of volunteer reviewers and organisers. As the number of submissions each year far exceeds the available presentation slots, we ask authors to submit only if they genuinely intend to attend and present their work at the conference if accepted.
Deadlines and key dates
The deadline to submit proposals is 3 February 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Other key dates. Dates are subject to change.
About the Digital Divide Working Group
Learn more about the work and scope of the Digital Divide Working Group.
Contact the Working Group
Co-chair: Dr. Uma Shankar Pandey Surendranath College for Women, University of Calcutta
usp@sncwcal.ac.in
Co-chair: Dr. Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, University of Ottawa
bacharya@uottawa.ca
