[Commlist] Call for chapters- Strategic Communication in the Digital Age: Redefining the Practice in Africa

*Call for Book chapters*
*
*
*Book title: Strategic Communication in the Digital Age: Redefining the 
Practice in Africa*
*Book Editors:*

  * Dr Albert Anani-Bossman, University of Media, Arts and
    Communication, Ghana
  * Prof. Abena A. Yeboah-Banin, University of Ghana
  * Prof. Cornelius Pratt, Temple University, USA

*Background*
Africa’s strategic communication landscape is experiencing a significant 
transformation due to the influence of digital technologies. The 
continent’s transition to mobile-first connectivity, marked by a notable 
rise in social media usage and mobile broadband penetration, has 
fundamentally altered the understanding, implementation, and evaluation 
of strategic communication (International Telecommunication Union, 
2021). The shifts observed are not solely technological; they are 
also structural, disrupting established media hierarchies, modifying 
stakeholder relationships, and necessitating adaptive communication 
strategies aligned with African socio-cultural contexts (Njathi & 
Watkins, 2024).
Digital media have democratised content creation and distribution, 
facilitating diverse African voices to contest historically dominant 
narratives and participate in strategic storytelling (Djami, 2024). The 
emergence of influencers, creators, and grassroots activists has also 
transformed brand conversations, necessitating that communicators 
adopt more participatory and dialogic engagement strategies (Wang, 
2023). Furthermore, platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok 
have emerged as essential instruments for strategic communication 
throughout the continent, occasionally surpassing traditional media in 
both influence and reach (Njathi & Watkins, 2024).
Strategic communicators in Africa are navigating a landscape 
characterised by increased scrutiny, rapid information dissemination, 
and fragmented media environments. Brockhaus et al., (2022) observe that 
the rise of CommTech—technologies facilitating the automation and 
analysis of communication processes—is transforming organisational 
communication infrastructure and expectations. However, this 
transformation is uneven across African markets.
Additionally, ethical considerations, including misinformation, data 
privacy, and algorithmic bias, are increasingly central to the digital 
communication agenda (Cheng et al, 2024). AI-powered tools are 
increasingly being utilised in crisis communication for sentiment 
analysis and real-time response. However, these advancements pose risks 
related to misuse and inequitable access (Jain, 2024). The changing 
digital landscape necessitates new academic and practitioner insights 
regarding the adaptation, innovation, and influence of Africa’s 
communication professionals on strategic narratives during this period 
of rapid digital transformation.
*Objective*
This book examines the specific techniques through which digital 
transformation is reshaping strategic communication practices in Africa. 
The chapters will examine how digital technologies are not only creating 
new channels for established communication methods but are also 
fundamentally altering the nature, scope, and impact of strategic 
communication across the continent.
This volume documents how African communication practitioners are 
adapting to and leveraging digital transformation to meet stakeholder 
expectations in contexts marked by technological leapfrogging, varying 
levels of digital access, and distinct cultural environments.
We therefore invite submissions that critically examine how digital 
tools, platforms, and infrastructures are transforming communication 
practices, generating new opportunities, and posing distinct challenges 
for strategic communicators in Africa. Conceptual frameworks and 
empirical research examining the impact of digital transformation on 
strategic communication practices in Africa are encouraged.
*Themes*
We invite submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  * Digital Technologies and Strategic Communication
  * Crisis and Risk Communication in the Digital Era
  * Digital Stakeholder Relationship Management
  * Corporate Identity, Image and Reputation Management in the Digital Age
  * Corporate Social Responsibility and Digital Communication
  * Artificial Intelligence and Synthetic Media
  * Digital Public Relations
  * Brand Reputation and Communication Management
  * Ethics, Transparency, and Governance in Digital Communication
  * Digital Media, Branding, and Corporate Identity
  * Integrated (marketing) communication
  * Strategic Communication and Combating Misinformation and Fake News
  * Influencer and Digital Marketing Practices
  * Organisational/Internal Communication via Digital Channels
  * Media Relations  in a Digital Era
  * Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Communication in
    a Digital Environment
  * Communication Measurement and Evaluation in the Digital Era
  * Digital Corporate Communication

*Submission procedure and enquiries*

  *
    Submit an abstract of 200 words to (_aanani-bossman /at/ unimac.edu.gh)
    <mailto:(aanani-bossman /at/ unimac.edu.gh)>_ / (_AYeboah-Banin /at/ ug.edu.gh)
    <mailto:(AYeboah-Banin /at/ ug.edu.gh)>_.
  * 100-word bio
  * 5 keywords

*Full chapter guidelines:*
Full chapters should be located in or grounded in the African 
experience. They should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words, including 
abstracts, references, tables, and figures.
*Timelines*

  * Abstracts deadline: May 15th, 2025

  *
       Notification of Acceptance: June 10th, 2025

   *
    Draft of full chapter manuscript due: November 2025 (tentative)

Possible Publishers: Taylor and Francis/Routledge
Address all enquiries  to Dr. Albert Anani-Bossman at 
(_aanani-bossman /at/ unimac.edu.gh)/(abossman2007 /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(aanani-bossman /at/ unimac.edu.gh)/(abossman2007 /at/ gmail.com)>_
*Additional note: *Submitted work must not have been previously 
published or under consideration for publication elsewhere.

*References*
Camilleri, M. A. (2021). /Strategic corporate communication in the 
digital age/. IGI Global. _https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3473-1 
<https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3473-1>_
Cheng, Y., Lee, J., & Qiao, J. (2024). Crisis communication in the age 
of AI: Navigating opportunities, challenges, and future horizons. In T. 
Coombs (Ed.), /Media and crisis communication/ (pp. 171–185). Routledge.
Djami, C. (2024). /The future of public relations in a changing 
Africa./ World PR Day. https://wprd.com/publications/future-of-pr-africa 
<https://wprd.com/publications/future-of-pr-africa>
Njathi, A. W., & Watkins, B. (Eds.). (2024). /Digital public relations 
and marketing communication trends in Africa/. Routledge.
Jain, A. (2024, August 29). Crisis communication in the digital era: 
Safeguarding brand reputation. /Agency Reporter/. 
https://www.agencyreporter.com/crisis-communication-digital-era 
<https://www.agencyreporter.com/crisis-communication-digital-era>
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). (2021). /Digital trends in 
Africa 2021: Information and communication technology trends and 
developments in the Africa region 2017-2020/. ITU. 
https://www.itu.int/pub/D-IND-DIGITAL-2021 
<https://www.itu.int/pub/D-IND-DIGITAL-2021>
Wang, Z. (2023). Innovative research on digital new media in corporate 
brand communication. /SHS Web of Conferences/, 170, 01013. 
https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317001013 
<https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317001013>



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