News from the IAMCR Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR)
August PCR Section newsletter
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1/ REFLECTIONS – IAMCR SINGAPORE 2025
2/ OVERVIEW OF PCR ACTIVITIES (2024–2025)
3/ TOP REVIEWER-PCR RECOGNITION
4/ AWARD-WINNING PCR-PAPER RECOGNITION AT IAMCR SINGAPORE 2025
5/ ‘KEY NOTES’ AND SUMMARY OF THE BUSINESS MEETING
6/ HAVE YOUR SAY: PROPOSAL FOR PCR TO BE A POSTGRAD+ SECTION
7/ CALL-OUT FOR FORMAL PARTICIPATION IN PCR
8/ SHARE UPDATES WITH PCR!
9/ PCR FACEBOOK GROUP
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1/ REFLECTIONS – IAMCR SINGAPORE 2025
The PCR section witnessed a robust engagement this year, with 114 abstracts submitted and 228 peer reviews conducted by 44 dedicated reviewers, reflecting the commitment to rigorous scholarly evaluation. Out of these, 50 papers were accepted, leading to 36 presentations being delivered across 8 PCR panels, showcasing the diversity and depth of participatory communication scholarship. This strong showing reaffirms the section’s relevance and vitality within the broader IAMCR community. This year, the PCR Section also had three joint sessions namely:
- PCR / CAM Joint Session: Exploring participatory communication and alternative media for inclusivity and social change.
- PCR / HEC Joint Session: Investigating participatory methods in health advocacy and equity.
- ESN / PCR Joint Session: A mentorship-oriented platform for early-career researchers and seasoned scholars to discuss innovative participatory approaches.
After every panel session attendees submitted key words, which generated a word cloud intended to capture the key themes emerging from the PCR presentations for Singapore 2025.
An informal PCR Social Gathering was also held on Monday, 14 July. Join the PCR Facebook Group for all the photos of our Section’s activities in Singapore.
2/ OVERVIEW OF PCR ACTIVITIES (2024–2025)
The end of the conference is a moment to pause and reflect on the activities in the past year. Over the past year, the PCR Section has convened 12 Section Head meetings and published 4 PCR newsletters, maintaining steady communication and coordination among members. A key highlight was the two-day collaborative webinar with the Community Communication and Alternative Media (CAM) Section on Environmental and Social Justice: Participatory & Community Communication, which drew 125 attendees, featured 13 abstract submissions, and resulted in 9 paper presentations—an initiative that resonated with and anticipated the IAMCR Singapore 2025 theme. The Section Head’s aim is to continue our commitment to fostering critical dialogue, scholarly collaboration, and inclusive participation.
3/ TOP REVIEWER-PCR RECOGNITION
For the first time, the PCR Section introduced a Top Reviewer Recognition to acknowledge outstanding contributions to the peer review process. Annapurna Sinha of Binus University International, Indonesia, was honoured as the PCR Top Reviewer 2025 for her consistent and committed efforts in supporting rigorous review. Her reflection highlights the value of peer review as a space for learning, staying updated, and encouraging emerging scholars.
“I thank the entire PCR team for this recognition. It is a great initiative. It has been more than 5 years since I have been doing my bit as a reviewer for different sections and working groups. Personally, serving as a reviewer is always a rewarding job. It's a great way to keep oneself up to date and know what newer areas, approaches, and methodological pathways are being explored. Reading works from young research scholars especially excites me more. I wish the best to all the participants of the PCR section for their presentations. Cheers to IAMCR 2025.”
4/ AWARD-WINNING PCR-PAPER RECOGNITION AT IAMCR SINGAPORE 2025
Voices in the Silence: Human and Non-Human Participation in Climate Change Adaptation Stories of Fisherfolk in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, the Philippines," a paper submitted to the PCR Section by Daniel Renz Roc, received the Climate Communication Award. Link to announcement
5/ ‘KEY NOTES’ AND SUMMARY OF THE BUSINESS MEETING
For the first time, the PCR Section integrated a special ‘Key Notes’ segment into its business meeting, designed in a participatory and dialogue-oriented manner to encourage greater engagement from members. Participants were invited to reflect and respond to the following three questions, jotting down responses on sticky notes that were then stuck up and thematised:
- What important critical questions emerged throughout PCR 2025?
- What themes would you like to see included in the 2026 PCR call/programme?
- What kinds of collective actions could I propose for/within our PCR Network?
This interactive format fostered meaningful exchanges and helped align the section’s future directions with the diverse voices within the community.
6/ HAVE YOUR SAY: PROPOSAL FOR PCR TO BE A POSTGRAD+ SECTION
The membership profile of IAMCR is undergoing a notable transformation. Previously, approximately 30% of members were students; that number has now risen to over 50%, with an indeterminate proportion comprising undergraduate students. At IAMCR 2025, 51% of paper submissions came from student authors. However, it remains difficult to discern whether these authors are PhD, Master’s, or undergraduate students, which presents challenges during the peer review and selection process.
This issue is further complicated by the widespread use of AI-assisted writing tools, which can enable weaker submissions to appear highly polished, obscuring quality distinctions and making rigorous peer evaluation more difficult.
The IAMCR Executive Board has clarified that it is the prerogative of Sections and Working Groups to determine their own policies regarding student and undergraduate submissions. Accordingly, the PCR Section is permitted to take a position—for example, stating within our call for papers that the PCR section limits submissions papers led and presented by postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) students and professional researchers, and requiring that the level of study is included in the bio with the submission.
A discussion and vote on this matter was held at the PCR Business Meeting at the IAMCR 2025 Conference. Various viewpoints were shared, including that in some contexts it is the norm for academics to co-author with strong undergraduates, but on the other hand, that presenting at international conferences is not as critical for career development for undergraduates as it is for others. We now invite all PCR members to vote on this matter: https://vevox.app/#/m/171913253. Voting will close on Friday September 5th.
Note: You must be a registered PCR member to participate in the vote. Those who voted in Singapore need not vote again.
7/ CALL-OUT FOR FORMAL PARTICIPATION IN PCR
The PCR Section invites members to actively contribute to its ongoing academic and organisational initiatives. Opportunities include peer-reviewing conference abstracts, chairing sessions, assisting with translation (both during presentations and for newsletters), and facilitating online events and webinars. Members are also encouraged to volunteer for additional roles identified during the Key Notes session. Please complete this form to express your interest and become more involved in shaping the work of the PCR network:
8/ SHARE UPDATES WITH PCR!
We invite you to share your latest updates, including calls for papers, edited volumes, project collaborations, fellowships, awards, and other relevant opportunities with the PCR community. Your contributions help us keep our members informed and engaged with the latest developments in our field.
Please send your updates to the PCR Email at [iamcr.pcr@gmail.com] using NEWSLETTER as the subject. We will ensure they are shared with the PCR members via email and the larger IAMCR public through the PCR e-newsletter.
9/ PCR FACEBOOK GROUP
To keep an eye on the announcements, conference matters and more information look at the PCR Facebook group. Keep up with the news and share your own.
Join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iamcrpcr