[Commlist] Call for abstracts - I International Conference on Digital Audiences: Youth, Algorithmic Mediations and Political Socialization

Call for abstracts

*I International Conference on Digital Audiences: Youth, Algorithmic 
Mediations and Political Socialization, Universitat Autònoma de 
Barcelona (UAB), Spain*

 >>Date: July 6-7, 2026
 >>Venue: Barcelona, ICPS-UAB

*Full information is available at: https://incom.uab.cat/congreso26/en/ 
<https://incom.uab.cat/congreso26/en/> *

Rationale:
Given the key role that digital platforms currently play in the media 
and cultural consumption of young people, the influence of artificial 
intelligence systems for organizing and generating content is a 
phenomenon of great academic relevance. Through personalized 
recommendations and systems that provide plausible answers to queries 
formulated in natural language, algorithmic mediations not only 
determine the information and entertainment content that young people 
consume, but also shape public opinion and levels of engagement with 
political and social issues.
With the I International Conference on Digital Audiences: Youth, 
Algorithmic Mediations and Political Socialization, organized by the 
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the aim is to create a meeting 
space for researchers interested in analysing how digitalization and 
algorithmic mediations shape reception processes and the very 
configuration of audiences.
In this first edition, there is a particular interest in proposals that 
adopt an intersectional perspective on digital audiences, that take into 
account diversity and social inequalities, but there is also a desire to 
devote significant attention to the “informational experience”. More 
broadly, the objective is to discuss how the progressive displacement of 
human agency is affecting social engagement and citizen participation in 
the digital public sphere.

We expect contributions that delve into one of the following thematic lines:

1. New informational habits of youth audiences: This line seeks to 
explore how young people consume, share, and produce informational 
content on digital platforms. The goal is to address all types of 
digital environments, whether linked to traditional media or independent 
of them.

2. Algorithmic perceptions and imaginaries: This theme focuses on the 
role of personalization algorithms in content mediation and, more 
specifically, on how they are perceived by youth audiences. Particular 
interest lies in assessing the sense of control over algorithmic 
mediations, as well as the ability to identify and respond to biases and 
disinformation. Proposals may address studies on algorithmic literacy.

3. Political socialization: This section examines dynamics of political 
socialization in digital environments, considering aspects such as 
ideology formation, levels of social/collective engagement, or political 
participation. A wide range of topics is welcome, from the potential of 
digital activism to fears of cancellation among the most vulnerable 
groups. Although most available studies have been conducted during 
election campaigns, we aim to include all types of empirical work in 
this conference.

4. Gender and social representation: Through this thematic line, we 
intend to explore how gender identity and sexual orientation shape 
algorithmically mediated consumption. Proposals are invited on 
algorithmic biases, from analyses documenting the presence of prejudices 
and negative stereotypes toward minority social groups or "invisible" 
topics, to works offering solutions or strategies to address these issues.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

  *
    Abstract: 300 -500 words (submitted via Form available at the site)
    https://shre.ink/A0lM <https://shre.ink/A0lM>

  *
    Proposal submission deadline: March 13, 2026


  *
    Proposals can be individual or collective (up to four authors).


  *
    Participation will be in-person (with at least one of the authors
    present).


  *
    Proposals may be submitted in Spanish, Catalan, or English.


  *
    All proposals will undergo a double-blind peer review process.


  *
    Registration is free for participants

  *
    Decisions on acceptance will be communicated by April 8th, 2026.

  *
    Contact person: Luiz Peres (luiz.peres[at]uab.cat)


Organized by:

ALCOM - Perception and Knowledge generation on personalization 
algorithms in digital communication platforms ( PIs – Fernanda Pires and 
Celina Navarro - UAB). PID2023-1-48682OA-I00, financed by 
MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/, FEDER/UE. https://webs.uab.cat/alcom/ 
<https://webs.uab.cat/alcom/>

POINTAP - Social Polarization and Interculturality: Monitoring Political 
News by Migrant and Native Youth from an Intersectional Perspective (PI 
– Amparo Huertas Bailén – UAB). https://incom.uab.cat/pointap/?lang=es 
<https://incom.uab.cat/pointap/?lang=es>

Partner organizations:

ICPS - The Political and Social Science Institute of Barcelona

INCOM-UAB - Institute for Communication/ UNESCO Chair for Communication UAB

Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising UAB

AE-IC - Asociación Española de Investigación de la Comunicación


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