Call for proposals 2026
The Diaspora and Media (DIM) 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.
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.
By examining the tensions between centrality and marginality—whether geographical, cultural, political, or conceptual—this theme reflects IAMCR’s commitment to promoting critical and inclusive dialogues across diverse perspectives. Galway, the conference location has a long history characterized by cultural hybridity, creative legacy, and postcolonial identity. With the growing concerns globally about environmental crises and social disparities, now more than ever, we need effective communication focusing on environmental justice. Environmental justice and social disparities are both strongly connected to the primary focus of our working group.
Consult a detailed description of the main theme
The DIM Working Group welcomes proposals that address the working group’s interest in diaspora and media. We are particularly interested in contributions that address key topics from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives. Now more than ever, academic work must address, from a critical perspective, the need to rethink borders and boundaries, physical and imaginary. We seek research that addresses theory and practice, examine theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, as well as analyze findings in lieu of their contribution to the field.
The Diaspora and Media Working Group aims to provide a fertile terrain for academic exchange, discussions and collaboration among the contributors. We encourage submissions that address diasporic transnationalism and media representation, (miss)representation, and auto-representation of migrants in the public sphere and the relationship between migration and environmental justice. We are also looking for research on new narratives in translocal contexts and the connective role of media spaces within diasporic groups.
Our Working Group welcomes contributions that explore the nuances of the conference theme: “Peripheries and Connections: Media, Communication, and Transformation".
Contributions could further be built on, but not limited to, the following key topics:
- Studies on digital diasporas that are contributing to the discussion on new approaches when studying migration, mobility, diaspora and transnational scenarios
- Theoretical studies on new trends in the era of neo-globalization and the consequences to migration studies
- Discussions on new methodological approaches to the study of diaspora and media in a post-digital era
- Studies on the relationship between borders, securitization, and the relationship with the climate change and climate crises
- Precarization, labor, and labor migration between the Global North and South
- Rights, access to services for migrant populations post-pandemic and in the relation to the climate crisis
- Climate migrants and their relationship with the media: activism, representations and access to channels of assistance in climate disasters.
- Climate refugees: framings, problematizations and media discourses.
- Humanitarian Economics and its relationship with climate disasters: transparency, access to information and decision-making in the absence of climate displaced people.
- Discourses of sustainability vs. practices: accounts of the experiences of people affected by wind farms, for example.
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts for papers to be presented in person at one of the Diaspora and Media Working Group’s conference sessions, should be about 800 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.
Proposals are accepted for both single Papers and for Panels with several papers (in which you propose multiple papers that address a single theme).
If your abstract is accepted, you will need to submit your full conference paper (up to 8000 words) by the full paper submission deadline, to be included in the programme. This deadline will be published in the IAMCR website.
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 Diaspora and Media Working Group welcomes abstracts in English, Spanish and Portuguese. English is preferred because we have a limited number of reviewers who can evaluate abstracts in other languages. We ask that members correspond with the chairs in English, where possible.
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 Diaspora and Media Working Group
Learn more about the work and scope of the Diaspora and Media Working Group.
Join the DIM working group in social media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/499328720140317
Contact the Working Group
Sumana Chattopadhyay (sumanach@gmail.com)
Brian Pindayi (brianpindayi@gmail.com)
Jessica Retis (jessica.retis@gmail.com)
Sofia Zanforlin (szanforlin@gmail.com)
