The Media Production Analysis (MPA) Working Group will be holding online elections for one Co-Chair and one Vice-chair positions, for the term 2026–2030.
The elections will be held online from 13 to 27 May using the SurveyMonkey platform.
Individual members and representatives of institutional members in good standing who are also registered members of the Media Production Analysis (MPA) Working Group by 8 May are eligible to vote.
To verify if you are a member of the Media Production Analysis Working Group, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.
More information and timeline are available at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2026
Read more about the Media Production Analysis (MPA) Working Group
Candidates
Co-Chair
Vice-Chair
Statements
Co-Chair
Concha Edo
Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
I am standing as a candidate for co-chair of the Media Production Analysis WG for a second term with the same enthusiasm as when I first began.
This second term would focus on these priorities: first, maintaining the current direction to increase membership. Secondly, opening up new opportunities for members within the WG to engage in research collaborations, particularly deepening our connections across IAMCR through joint publications. Finally, updating and disseminating current media proposals that reflect the rapidly shifting landscape, exploring the implications of AI and emerging technologies for media production, helping the sector navigate this period of adaptation, risks and opportunities — and ensuring that our research has direct impact on the industry.
The WG is growing. The number of papers submitted at annual conferences increases with each edition, which reflects the vitality of our community and the urgency of our field. This year we added further momentum with the thematic award we proposed — now accepted by IAMCR — 'Reformulation of Media Production in a Global Context of Automation: AI, social platforms, algorithms, robots, generative technological innovation' for papers exploring how automation is transforming media production in a global context. The winner will be recognized in Galway with a grant of 750 USD.
I have been part of this group and a regular participant at all IAMCR conferences since 2012, contributing papers that reflect research I carry out with academics from various universities on topics related to the widespread adoption and evolution of the internet, constant technological updates through bots, algorithms, augmented reality, new narratives, the quality of journalism, collaborative journalism, social media, cross-border news content, and the influence of all these processes on the media.
As a researcher in the field, I have worked as principal investigator on competitive projects, published three monographs (one of which has been cited over 300 times), 30 book chapters and more than 50 articles. I have also participated in over 80 international academic conferences (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Spain, the United States, France, Greece, the Netherlands, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey), attending 18 as a guest speaker and 24 as a member of the Scientific Committee. I have also conducted research as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Maryland (USA, 2017), the Reuters Institute (University of Oxford, UK, 2013) and City University of London (UK, 2011), with over 2,200 citations on Google Scholar and 153 on Scopus to date.
The questions this WG addresses are no longer peripheral. They are central to the future of journalism and media. I would be honored to continue serving the MPA WG for this new term, supporting your work and contributing to strengthen this committed community of researchers, united by the values that define IAMCR: inclusivity, diversity, and the pursuit of communication research that serves the public good.
Jasmin Surm
University of Leeds, United Kingdom
I am putting myself forward as a candidate for co-chair of the Media Production Analysis Working Group. As an active member of MPA since 2021, I have contributed to its activities by presenting my research at the online conferences in 2021 and 2022, as well as in Lyon and Christchurch, and will do so again at the upcoming conference in Galway. Additionally, I have supported the Working Group over the past two years by reviewing submissions.
Beyond the MPA Working Group, I was selected in 2024 to convene the annual IAMCR Presidential PhD Research Webinar, which provided a platform for PhD researchers to share their work and fostered dialogue and networking among scholars across career stages.
I am an early-career scholar in the final stages of my PhD, which I expect to complete this year. My research investigates how foreign correspondents working for European news agencies communicate cultures and countries within transnational, transcultural and cross-linguistic media production environments. For this project, I have adopted a multilingual approach working in five languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and French).
As a multilingual researcher, I see the international and multilingual nature of IAMCR as one of its key strengths, and one that the MPA Working Group, given its internationally diverse group of members, is well placed to further engage with.
If elected as co-chair, I would like to facilitate active and regular communication, for example, by designing a newsletter to keep members informed about current developments. I would also aim to strengthen connections within the group throughout the year, beyond the annual conferences, to maintain the momentum generated by these in-person exchanges. My aim is to support a vibrant, connected community of MPA researchers. This would include organising activities such as webinars, workshops or informal drop-in sessions, as well as creating opportunities to further develop research presented at conferences into publications or other collaborative outputs.
A priority for me is to recognise and support the linguistic diversity within IAMCR, including its work in English, Spanish and French. I would like to make this diversity more visible and actively embraced, while remaining mindful that not everyone feels equally comfortable communicating in English. Creating an environment where members feel welcome regardless of the language(s) they speak is important, and I see multilingualism as a key asset the Working Group can actively support.
I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the MPA Working Group as a co-chair. Please feel free to reach out to me via email (mejs@leeds.ac.uk) if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your time and engagement in this electoral process.
Vice-Chair
Maria Teresa Nicolás Gavillan
Universidad Panamericana, Mexico
I am writing to formally submit my candidacy for the position of Vice-Chair of the Media Production Analysis Working Group (MPA-WG). Having been an active member of the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) for fifteen years, participating consistently in every annual conference since 2010, I am deeply committed to the association’s mission of fostering international dialogue and excellence in communication research.
My academic background and professional trajectory provide a solid foundation for this leadership role. I began my legal training with a Law degree from Universidad Panamericana, Mexico, which has since informed my structural understanding of institutional frameworks. To further my specialization, I pursued advanced studies in Europe, earning a PhD in Communication and a Master’s in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Navarra, Spain. Currently, I am a Level II member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI) and serve as the Director of the Institutional Center for Educational Innovation at the General Rectory of Universidad Panamericana.
I have a proven track record of international collaboration and leadership within IAMCR. I have coordinated numerous workshops, pre-conferences, and post-conferences. My global perspective is further enriched by research and teaching stays at institutions such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Villanova University in the USA and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.
My research focus has consistently aligned with the core interests of this Working Group. Specifically, I have specialized in the methodology for the analysis of serial and cinematographic audiovisual products, examining the intricate processes behind media creation and narrative structures and studies of convergence across different media. My work seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and the practical realities of media production in a globalized context.
If elected as Vice-Chair, I am committed to strengthening the MPA-WG by enhancing our collaborative networks and ensuring a diverse range of perspectives in our scholarly output. I aim to foster a vibrant environment for both established and emerging scholars, encouraging innovative methodological approaches to media production. I look forward to the possibility of serving the IAMCR community in this capacity and contributing to the continued success of the Media Production Analysis Working Group.
Sincerely,
Maria T. Nicolas