Health Communication Working Group

Call for proposals 2026

The Health Communication (HEC) 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

In line with the overarching theme of IAMCR 2026, the Health Communication (HEC) Working Group is calling for abstracts for paper presentations and panel discussions to explore critical issues concerning the challenge of marginality and the power of connections in health communication theory, research and practice. The papers should advance the global discourse on health communication convergence, and social connections and contribute to transforming the extant global health communication ecosystem into a truly, participatory, connected and inclusive one.

Background

Decades of health communication theorising, research and praxis have affirmed the need to challenge and change the prevailing biases in health communication paradigms and practices. Theoretical divides that underpin health communication have amplified the call for global convergence of its epistemic and conceptual roots and traditions. Varied dichotomies also apply to the domain of health communication praxis. At the heart of health communication approaches and process is the interconnection of determinants, integration of policies and coordinated programmes. However, certain health issues and planning frameworks have attained celebrity status of attention, while many others have languished in the peripheries. Donor funding and preconceived agenda, institutional mechanisms and contemporaneity have resulted in an unintended consequence of elevating specific models of health communication interventions to the neglect of what may seem like peripheral approaches.

The power of communication lies in its ability to transcend geographic, intellectual, and conceptual boundaries and promote disruptive connections that achieve social transformation. The digital age has taken connectivity to new levels with multimodal, multidirectional and multilevel convergence, transcending culturally and ideologically imposed boundaries. Also with the digital revolution, individuals and communities, traditionally at the periphery, can leverage individual and collective agency to effect change on their own terms and times. But this has also created an epidemic of social disconnection with massive implications for our social relations, health and wellbeing.

Clearly, global health communication processes and approaches need to break through the tyranny of dominant theories, frameworks and strategies into new domains of connectivity and modes of engagement.

Objectives

Our call for papers for the 2026 conference aims to specifically:

  • Foster critical insights and disruptive rethinking of existing theories, methods and divisions that shape health communication.
  • Evolve new directions in health communication praxis that moves from the ‘directional gap’ into more inclusive, equitable and sustainable communication approaches for global health and development

Themes

This call for abstracts is specifically exploring critical research and thinking that may focus on the following core areas:

  • Health communication approaches and programming for local, national and global connection and transformation.
  • Reaching the unreached, engaging the left behind, culturally diverse and unique populations in health communication.
  • Crisis at the periphery: Journalism’s role during public health emergencies and disasters
  • Journalism at the peripheries: the health of journalism and journalism as a social determinant of health
  • Communicating climate change and health risks in marginalised communities
  • Harnessing popular culture and creative industries to drive health communication and behaviour change.
  • Participatory media ecosystems, digital platform power and social connection.
  • Individual and relational approaches, community strategies and public policies to promote social connection, health and wellbeing.
  • Bridging disciplinary boundaries and traditions in health communication research, theory and practice.
  • Broadening participation and participatory paradigms in achieving health outcomes for marginalised population groups.
  • Unleashing the agency and power of different population groups and demographics for inclusive and interconnected change.
  • Sustainable financing of health communication programmes, going beyond traditional donors.
  • Breaking the conventional toolbox of health communication programming, theory and research.
  • Rethinking risk communication: Centring community voices and accountability in health emergencies, from local response to global action Engaging State Parties and non-State Entities in health communication programming.
  • Digital revolution and wellbeing, social connection in a distracted world, , promoting health and wellbeing in an age of social disconnection.
  • How AI technology and algorithms are influencing social connections or disconnection in different demographics, impact of Ai systems on the health of marginalised communities.
  • Beyond quantitative paradigms; maximising analytical prisms and models in health communication research. Bridging the margins: How peripheral voices and digital networks are shaping the future of health communication"
  • Integrating conceptual and theoretical frameworks in health communication agenda, processes and approaches.
  • Trust in health messages in the age of misinformation and disinformation

Guidelines for abstracts

Abstracts 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.

Joint sessions

In 2026, the Working Group will be hosting at least one joint session with the Participatory Communication Research section (PCR). To be considered for this joint session please submit your abstract to PCR and choose the topic HEC/PCR 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 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 HEC WG accepts abstracts in English and the sessions will be held in English.

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 Health Communication Working Group

Learn more about the work and scope of the Health Communication Working Group

Contact the Working Group