[Commlist] CfP ECREA Journalism Studies Section conference 2026

        _**Deadline extended to 21 September 2025**_


        Call for Papers: Conference ECREA Journalism Studies Section 2026



        Conference theme: ‘The threads behind the trends in Journalism
        Studies’


Conference dates: 9-10 April 2026

Host and location: Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, Groningen, 
the Netherlands

*Submission to the conference theme*

Journalism has long been a field caught up in discussions of trends and 
changes. Technological changes, in particular, have been highlighted as 
well as changes in media structures, alongside changing political, 
economic, and social trends all playing out in changing societies. This 
has led - understandably -  to a preoccupation within industry and 
scholarship with journalism's future, as it tries to navigate each new 
development to both stay afloat, economically, and stay relevant in the 
societies where journalism operates.

However, an overemphasis on novelty and change at the same time makes it 
“difficult to discern passing fads from deeper shifts” within journalism 
(Carlson and Lewis, 2019: 644). Behind each headline-grabbing 
development is a larger set of dynamics, from societal forces and public 
values to technological opportunities and business decisions. 
Highlighting and scrutinizing these dynamics provides a better 
understanding of the complex context that shapes the nature and pace of 
journalistic change and can elucidate structural impediments to, for 
instance, diversity, inclusion and representation, journalists’ 
wellbeing and mental health, and the ongoing contestations over  
journalism’s boundaries.

With this conference, we aim to weave together the threads beneath these 
trends, situating change in context with an eye towards journalism's future.

Scholars can opt for either thematic or open submissions:

*1. Thematic submissions*

The conference aims to bring together a diverse mix of scholars from the 
field of journalism studies. It invites papers that focus on key 
developments and trends in journalism and put these in a broader 
perspective. Both theoretical/conceptual and empirical contributions to 
journalism studies are welcome.

Submissions responding to the conference theme can address (but are not 
limited to) the following areas that are currently at the cutting edge 
of the field (cf. Westlund et al., 2025):

  * Digital innovation, adaptation and changing journalism practices;
  * journalism and algorithmic culture;
  * datafication of audiences;
  * journalism’s position in platform societies;
  * hybrid storytelling forms;
  * changing patterns of news use, news avoidance and non-use;
  * spread of online mis- and disinformation;
  * digital press and media criticism;
  * epistemologies of digital news production;
  * journalism, emotion and subjectivity;
  * new business models for digital journalism;
  * alternative media and peripheral journalistic actors;
  * rise of anti-media populism;
  * social media journalism;
  * digital hate and online threats to the safety of journalists;
  * novel methodological approaches to studying digital journalism.

Please emphasize in your abstract how you see your paper responding to 
the conference theme – "the threads behind the trends".

*2. Open submissions*

While we encourage thematic submissions, we also hope to create an open 
forum for the latest research in journalism studies in its many facets. 
Contributors can also submit abstracts for open sessions, for which 
there are no thematic requirements. Again, both theoretical/conceptual 
and empirical contributions to journalism studies are welcome.

*Submission guidelines*

Abstracts should be no more than *500 words* (excl. references, tables 
and graphs) and should be submitted no later than* 21 September 
2025* via this form  (https://edu.nl/tcqmd <https://edu.nl/tcqmd>)

The abstract must include an indication whether you submit to the 
conference theme or to the open panels. As we aim for a conference that 
provides extensive space for reflection, discussion and connection, we 
also ask you to indicate your preferred presentation format. This could 
include:

  * A traditional research paper presentation in a thematically linked
    session
  * A proposal for a pre-constituted panel
  * Participation in a thematically-focused roundtable discussion
  * High-density pitch sessions

Only one proposal per first author can be accepted (submitting further 
abstracts as co-author is accepted). Diversity in nationality, gender 
and country of affiliation can be prioritized in selection. 
Notifications of acceptance will be sent in *early November 2025*.

Submission will undergo scholarly peer-review and adhere to the newly 
established ECREA Journalism Studies section rule: For every abstract 
you are listed as an presenter/contributor, you are expected to review 
2-3 abstracts (_this applies to all authors on the paper)._

The organizers will provide proof of conference attendance/presentation 
upon request.

**

*Conference Organization*

The conference will be hosted by the Centre for Media and Journalism 
Studies of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, organized by 
Dr. Joëlle Swart, Dr. Frank Harbers, Dr. Marilia Gehrke, Dr. Sandra 
Banjac and Dr. Scott Eldridge. The city of Groningen is two hours from 
Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport by train, and three hours from Bremen 
Airport by public transport.

For more information and updates check out our webpage 
(https://shorturl.at/PbVDZ <https://shorturl.at/PbVDZ>) and if you have 
any questions, contact the conference organizing committee at 
*(journalismconferences /at/ rug.nl) <mailto:(journalismconferences /at/ rug.nl)>*.



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