Call for proposals 2026
The Environment, Science and Risk Communication (ESR) Section 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.
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
In response to this year’s theme, the Environment, Science and Risk Communication (ESR) Section invites contributions that critically explore how marginality and global interconnection shape media and communication systems and processes, and to reflect on the ways that geographical and conceptual boundaries, which divide “centres” from “peripheries”, are challenged by different groups and coalitions for transformative change.
We invite contributions that explore the future of environmental, science and risk communication through diverse, unconventional, and transformative lenses. As the field continues to evolve in response to global ecological, technological, and geopolitical change, IAMCR 2026 offers an opportunity to reflect, renew, and reimagine.
In Galway, we are looking forward to foregrounding voices and approaches from the so-called “peripheries” — geographically, culturally, methodologically, and epistemologically.
We are particularly interested in contributions that address:
- Historically marginalised voices, imaginaries, and ways of knowing in environmental, science, and risk communication
- Emergent and historical alliances and networks that foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration
- Stories and articulations of rupture, resilience, and/or radical re-imaginings as responses to environmental crises
- The role of different modes of communication in unsettling dominant power structures and enabling “just transitions”
- Future directions for ESR: What does an inclusive, transformative, and action-oriented field look like?
- While we welcome papers on the main theme and sub-themes for IAMCR Galway 2026, papers from the full range of Environment, Science and Risk Communication topics and perspectives are also welcomed, such as:
- Communicating diverse knowledges in science communication
- Science and risk communication in contested or crisis contexts
- The role of media and communication in shaping perceptions of environmental futures
- The environmental impacts of artificial intelligence and other technological innovations
- Communicating climate change amid rising political polarization
- The role of Indigenous knowledges in contextualizing and communicating environmental risks and crises
- Social media strategies developed by environmental activists amid rising authoritarianism and reactionary political movements worldwide
- Visual analyses and critical discourse analyses of climate and environmental journalism, films, podcasts, and other media
- Critical political economic studies of climate communication and communication infrastructures
IAMCR 2026 is an opportunity to build meaningful bridges across disciplines, geographies, and generations. We look forward to your contribution to a vibrant dialogue about where the field is heading — and where it needs to go.
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts for papers to be presented in person at one of the Environment, Science and Risk Communication Section’s conference sessions, should be between 800 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.
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 section and current trends or controversies in its field
Acceptance of proposals may also be conditioned by programme diversity and balance criteria.
Languages
The Environment, Science and Risk Communication Section accepts abstracts in English, French or Spanish.
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 Environment, Science and Risk Communication Section
Learn more about the work and scope of the Environment, Science and Risk Communication Section.
Contact the Section
Co-chairs: Claire Konkes (claire.konkes@utas.edu.au) and Hanna E. Morris (hanna.morris@utoronto.ca)
