[Commlist] CFP: Joint annual conference of the PSA Media and Politics Group and Technology, Internet, and Policy Group

Call for papers: Joint annual conference of the Political Studies 
Association’s Media and Politics Group (MPG) and Technology, Internet, 
and Policy (TIP) Group

“Dis(mis)information and the Public Sphere in the Age of AI”

Location: City St George’s, University of London (in-person)

Date: 12-13 January 2027
Deadline for abstracts (max 250 words): 7 September 2026

You are warmly invited to submit papers for presentation at the joint 
annual conference of the Political Studies Association’s Media and 
Politics Group & Technology, Internet and Policy Group. This year’s 
conference theme, “Dis(mis)information and the Public Sphere in the Age 
of AI,” will explore how Information Communication Technologies (ICT) 
are impacting the public sphere and whether social media facilitates an 
electronic agora. For advocates of a digital democracy, the abundance of 
unfiltered information streams, platforms and podcasts could enable 
‘net’ citizens (or ‘Netizens’) to connect on a many-to-many or 
peer-to-peer basis. Such viral engagements can enhance grassroots 
political causes, social movements and direct-action campaigns. 
Conversely, critical theorists argue that social media has created 
societal, economic and political dislocations which have eroded rational 
debates into ideological polarisation. Further, through such political 
communication networks and nodes, normative editorial and journalistic 
practices are under threat, impacting trust and accuracy of information 
and eventually leading to dis(mis)information. This conference seeks to 
critically examine the opportunities and risks ICTs present to the 
public sphere.

The conference can be attended in person only and will be held in City 
St George’s, University of London (Clerkenwell Campus, Northampton 
Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK), on 12-13 January 2027.

The conference will include three keynote presentations:

• Steven Barnett, University of Westminster
• Jennifer Birks, University of Nottingham
• Jean Seaton, University of Westminster

Additionally, two panels will bookend the conference:

- Public Service Media (PSM) and information technologies. Two of our 
keynotes, Steven and Jean, will be providing a detailed commentary with 
their expert insider-based analyses.
- Artificial Intelligence, Communications Policy, Regulation and Popular 
Cultural Content. Panellists:  Ali-Abbas Ali (Ofcom officer), Pete 
Johnson (CEO, British Screen Forum), James Peatty (Lecturer and 
filmmaker, Richmond University), Paul MacDonald (King's College London, 
TBC). Format: roundtable.

We welcome paper submissions that address any of the following topics:

* Do ICTs and digital platforms impact citizen engagement, connection 
and political participation, thus democratising the public sphere?
* What role do deepfake and AI-generated images play in shaping the 
modern online public sphere?
* What is the role of ICTs and digital platforms in political 
campaigning? Are they reshaping campaign strategies, political 
marketing, civic and voter engagement?
* How do social media algorithms impact political discussion in the 
public sphere?
* Do ICTs and online platforms provide reliable information or do they 
misinform citizens?
* What are the ethical implications of dis(mis)information and what is 
the impact of dis(mis)information on the rational public sphere?
* Are digital platforms providing spaces for democratic movements, 
especially in regimes that oppress freedom of expression?
* What regulatory and policy developments should be initiated to make 
digital platforms trustworthy and accountable?
* Can the 2022 landmark EU regulations Digital Services Act (DSA) and 
Digital Markets Act (DMA) as well as the 2023 UK Online Safety Act 
ensure a safer and fairer digital space?

We encourage submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, 
including but not limited to political science, media studies, 
communication, sociology, law, and technology studies. Submissions are 
welcomed from scholars at all career stages, including PhD candidates 
and early-career researchers, as well as practitioners engaged in media, 
politics or related fields.

While the main theme of this conference is “Dis(mis)information and the 
Public Sphere in the Age of AI”, the MPG and TIP operate an open and 
inclusive policy, and papers dealing with any aspect of media, 
technology and politics are welcome. Papers may focus on areas from 
political communication and journalism to data, artificial intelligence, 
social media and tech policy; but also include a broader view of the 
political sphere within such areas as television, cinema and media arts, 
both factual and fictional. In addition to academic research, the 
conference will also welcome practice-based work in art, film and 
performance related to the area of media and politics.

**Key dates**

* Monday 7th Sept 2026. Deadline for paper and panel submissions (no 
more than 250 words each).
* Monday 28th Sept 2026. Paper proposers notified of the decision by the 
conference committee. Conference registration opens.
* Friday 11th December 2026. Extended abstract deadline for James Thomas 
Memorial Prize applicants.
* 12-13 January 2027. Conference held in City St George’s, University of 
London.

**Submitting proposals**

We welcome both paper and panel proposals for this conference. Paper 
proposals should be for 15-minute presentations. Submitted abstracts 
should be no more than 250 words (excluding references).

If you wish to submit a panel proposal, please note the following 
stipulations:

* Panel proposals should include a panel overview (max. 300 words), 
outlining the title, synopsis, and chair details, as well as the 
abstracts for each contributor (no more than 250 words each).
* Panels usually consist of three to four papers and a chair.
* Panels should aim to reflect the diversity of the profession.

Please submit all proposals to Petros Iosifidis: (p.iosifidis /at/ city.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(p.iosifidis /at/ city.ac.uk)> and Mark Wheeler: 
(m.wheeler /at/ londonmet.ac.uk) <mailto:(m.wheeler /at/ londonmet.ac.uk)> / 
(mbdoctormark /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(mbdoctormark /at/ gmail.com)>

**Potential outputs**

The Journal of Digital Media and Policy 
(https://www.intellectbooks.com/journal-of-digital-media-policy 
<https://www.intellectbooks.com/journal-of-digital-media-policy>), which 
Petros edits, will publish a special edition. The theme and call for 
papers will be outlined closer to the conference time and will be 
featured on the journal’s website.

**Book launch**

We will be hosting the launch of the De Gruyter Handbook of Digital 
Political Communication, which Mark and Petros have edited. The book 
will be published shortly. See 
https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isbn/9783111386034/html 
<https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isbn/9783111386034/html>

**Registration fees**

* Full-time delegate conference fee (PSA member): £150
* Full-time delegate conference fee (non-PSA member): £180
* PG doctoral candidate, retired or unwaged fee (Member/Non-Member): 
£95/£125

This covers lunches, coffee breaks, a drinks reception and the annual 
dinner.

We will be seeking to establish an appropriate set of hotel/hostel deals 
for those colleagues who will be visiting London.

**Financial support**

The PSA offers a limited number of travel subsidies (up to the value of 
£100) to support postgraduate student participation in this event. 
Postgraduate students interested in applying for these subsidies should 
please note this when submitting.

**James Thomas Memorial Prize**

Extended abstracts of a maximum of 2000 words submitted by postgraduate 
students will be entered into the James Thomas Memorial Prize. This 
annual award is presented to the most outstanding paper by a 
postgraduate student at the Media & Politics Group Annual Conference. 
Postgraduate students wishing to be considered for the prize should send 
extended abstracts to Petros Iosifidis: (p.iosifidis /at/ city.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(p.iosifidis /at/ city.ac.uk)> and Mark Wheeler: 
(m.wheeler /at/ londonmet.ac.uk) <mailto:(m.wheeler /at/ londonmet.ac.uk)> / 
(mbdoctormark /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(mbdoctormark /at/ gmail.com)> by Friday, 11th 
December 2026.

**About the PSA**

The Political Studies Association (https://www.psa.ac.uk/ 
<https://www.psa.ac.uk/>) is the UK’s leading association in the study 
and research of politics. The Media and Politics Group and Technology, 
Internet and Policy Groups are welcoming and inclusive. The conference 
welcomes contributions both from members and non-members of the 
Political Studies Association.

**Organising team**

* Petros Iosifidis. City St George’s, University of London 
https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/people/academics/petros-iosifidis 
<https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/people/academics/petros-iosifidis>
* Mark Wheeler. London Metropolitan University 
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/mark-wheeler 
<https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/mark-wheeler>

**Steering committee**

Charles Lees. City St George’s, University of London
Stephanie Baker. City St George’s, University of London
Chris Rojek. City St George’s, University of London
Jean Chalaby. City St George’s, University of London
Wendy Stokes. London Metropolitan University
Liam McLoughlin. Edge Hill University


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