Gender and Communication Section

Call for proposals 2026

The Gender and Communication (GEN) 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

The Gender and Communication Section supports IAMCR’s central theme to be explored throughout the conference with the aim of generating and examining multiple perspectives. In addition, the Section defines additional themes through this individual call for proposals. Authors are encouraged to focus on an aspect of the main conference theme as it relates to the concerns of the Gender and Communication Section, or to address a theme or sub-theme identified in this call.

The Gender and Communication Section has long explored tensions between centrality and marginalities through the work of many decolonial, feminist, and other scholars from both the global South and the global North. This year’s theme therefore resonates closely with our ongoing work. We encourage submissions of abstracts that address the complexities of contemporary media systems in an interconnected world. This includes research examining how media and communications can be used for social change and to tackle global challenges such as climate change, migration, women’s and minority rights, populist politics and extremism, health, poverty and inequality, and digital exclusions. We particularly welcome work grounded in feminist epistemologies, perspectives, and methods.

Possible topics include

  • Decolonial and feminist scholarship from and about the global South: Scholarship and research that engage with communities across the global South, embedded in feminist and decolonial praxis, and in dialogue with the global North.
  • Gender, power, and identity within the margins and centre: Gendered reflections on the main theme exploring political and moral goals embedded in contemporary media and political systems, with a focus on identity and power dynamics.
  • Community engagement, activism, and participatory feminist methods: The role of grassroots movements and community-driven initiatives in advocating for gender and social justice. How do women at the margins make inroads into the centre to strengthen equity and inclusivity? How effective are communication tools and strategies in empowering local voices, fostering inclusivity, and enabling collective action? Explore feminist and participatory methods such as storytelling as tools for promoting social justice and sustainability.
  • Cultural hybridity, gender, and the global/local media industries: Research on media and cultural industries in local contexts, inserted within theoretical perspectives on globalisation, cultural hybridity, race, and multiculturalism.
  • Gender, communications, and sustainable development: How can communications be used for social change and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as better health and well-being or action on climate change?
  • Democratic governance, participation, and activism: feminist responses to key global challenges in the 21st century: Empirical and theoretical work that addresses challenges affecting marginalised communities — from political disenfranchisement to poverty, inequality, migration crises, and poor health due to racism — and explores how media and communication tools (from television to social media) can be leveraged for change.
  • AI for empowerment and agency: gendered knowledge and women’s voices in digital storytelling: How are women using AI tools (e.g. for audio or narrative production) to build community and enable action? What opportunities are afforded to women and marginalised groups?

The Gender and Communication Section seeks research that addresses theory and practice and explores the relationship between gender, media, and communication. In recent years, our sessions have included papers on representation, body image, (digital) feminism, queer theory, LGBTIQA+, pop culture, hook-up apps, inclusive reporting, power struggles and relations, identity, (emotional digital) labour, health, HIV/AIDS, pandemics, violence, human rights, social change, activism, media production, reception, consumption, monitoring, elections, development, and culture. The papers have examined diverse forms of media such as film, television, radio, print, social media, advertising, and the Internet.

In keeping with our philosophy of inclusivity and development, we welcome contributions from all empirical, theoretical, disciplinary, and philosophical perspectives. Submissions on any topic involving gender, media, communication, indigenous, and/or endogenous knowledge are welcome. However, special consideration will be given to papers and panel proposals that examine connections to the conference theme Peripheries and Connections: Media, Communication, and Transformation.

We encourage scholars to address intersections of gender, identity, sexuality, dignity, inclusivity, and indigenous or endogenous knowledge and development with media and communication processes. Themes consistent with the Section’s current focus include (but are not limited to):

  • Gender in multicultural contexts and neoliberal globalisation
  • Gender and indigenous/endogenous knowledge
  • Marginalised sexualities
  • Gender, media, and politics
  • Gender discourse and power
  • Gender, politics, and governance
  • Gendered agency and social change
  • Gender narratives, culture, and storytelling
  • Gender equity, social and economic prosperity
  • Gendered voice and visibility
  • Gendered identity, power, and equality
  • Gender and reproductive health
  • Gender, disability, and health advocacy
  • Gender and algorithmic culture
  • Gender experiences and futures
  • Gender and film cultures
  • Gender and the environment
  • Gendered identities and online experiences
  • Gendered expression and social participation
  • Gendered rights and the achievement of universal dignity
  • Gender, inclusivity, and sustainable development
  • Gender in higher education and pedagogy
  • Gender and social movements
  • Gender and (eco)territorial conflicts
  • Sexism and the body as battlefield
  • Gender, sexuality, and violence
  • Sexuality and technology
  • Technology and/as gender
  • Queer theory and culture
  • Gender, consumption, and aspiration
  • Social media campaigns by women and non-binary people
  • Queer and LGBTQIA+ representations or resistance
  • Gender conflicts or resistance
  • Gender representation and authenticity
  • Gender and public spaces
  • Gendered histories, war, and politics
  • Gendered terms, models, and moral goals of communication, histories, and imaginaries
  • Art and gender

Guidelines for abstracts

Abstracts for paper and panel proposals should be between 800 and 1000 words in descriptive form, bearing the necessary ingredients of academic research. 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.

IAMCR 2026 is a face-to-face conference. Video/online presentations or sessions are not possible. Only an author or co-author can present their paper at the conference.

The Gender and Communication Section welcomes student participation under certain conditions.

  • Undergraduate students may submit proposals only if they are accompanying their professors or supervisors for face-to-face presentations as (co)authors. The professor/supervisor’s presence is mandatory.
  • Both Graduate and Undergraduate students are expected to submit a full paper by the deadline set by IAMCR. Student presentations without a submitted paper may be withdrawn from the conference programme.

Joint sessions

This year, the GEN Section will host at least one joint session with the Emerging Scholars Network Section (ESN). If you would like your proposed paper to be included in this joint session, submit your abstract to ESN and choose the topic GEN/ESN joint session on the submission platform.

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 Gender and Communication Section accepts abstract and plans sessions in English, French and Spanish. As we do not have the interpreters, we like to encourage our presenters to invite their bilingual colleagues to interpret their presentations in English.

Reviewers/chairs/respondents

The Gender and Communication Section published a call for reviewers in its October 2025 newsletter. If you have completed a PhD or are an academic or professor and wish to review abstracts in English, French, or Spanish, please contact Carolina Matos at Carolina.Matos.1@citystgeorges.ac.uk or Patricia Núñez Gómez at pnunezgo@ccinf.ucm.es

If you are interested in chairing a session or serving as a respondent to papers at the Galway conference, please contact the Head of the Gender and Communication Section (see details below).

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 Gender and Communication Section

Learn more about the work and scope of the Gender and Communication Section.

Contact the Section

Co-Chairs: Carolina Matos Carolina.Matos.1@citystgeorges.ac.uk and Patricia Nunez Gomez pnunezgo@ccinf.ucm.es

Vice Chairs: Christy Mady (christymady@gmail.com) and Hoornaz Keshavarzian (hoornaz_keshavarzian@sfu.ca)