[Commlist] CfP Media Cymru Innovation Conference and Showcase

Media Cymru Innovation Conference and Showcase 2026: Call for Papers

Date: Sept. 14-17
Venue: School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, 
Cardiff, Wales

Organised by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy, the 
Media Cymru Innovation Conference and Showcase will spotlight research 
and innovation in the media and creative industries, with a focus on 
making them greener, fairer, globally connected, and economically 
sustainable. Participants can look forward to an engaging and 
interdisciplinary programme featuring invited speakers from across 
academia, industry, and policy, including national and international 
experts in media and creative industries. A full list of keynote and 
featured contributors will be announced in due course.
We invite all researchers and professionals to submit their academic 
work that explores approaches to and analysis of media and creative 
industries innovation in ways that can inform future practice and 
policy. We welcome a broad range of topics.

Conference Themes and Topics
Submissions should align with (at least one of) our four themes: Green, 
Fair, Global, and Growth. These themes reflect Media Cymru’s four 
strategic pillars, which serve as tracks for submissions:
* Green – Environmental Sustainability: Research on the media’s role in 
tackling the climate crisis. Topics include the role of media content in 
responding to the climate crisis, sustainable film/TV production, green 
broadcasting technologies and practices, energy-efficient infrastructure 
for creative studios, and case studies on carbon reduction in media and 
the wider creative industries.
* Fair – Inclusive & Equitable Creative Industries: Research promoting a 
fair, equitable and diverse media sector. Topics include diversity and 
inclusion in media content and production, representation and 
accessibility in film, television and gaming, community media 
initiatives, minority language media production and consumption, and 
research that focuses on how to create greater equity in the creative 
industries.
* Global – International Collaboration & Reach: Research on expanding 
the global impact and connections of small creative industries companies 
or regional ecosystems. Topics include international co-productions and 
partnerships, cross-cultural innovation in media, export of creative 
content, global audiences and markets, creative tourism, and comparisons 
of creative economy policies across regions. Work that highlights 
place-based innovation in the global creative landscape is especially 
welcome.
* Growth – Creative Economy Development: Research driving economic 
growth and productivity through media R&D and innovation. Topics include 
creative entrepreneurship and startups, media business models and 
monetisation, creative hubs and regional cluster development, skill 
development and talent pipelines (linking education with industry), 
impacts of emerging technologies (AI, XR, gaming) on the creative 
economy, and evaluations of creative industry support programs or policy 
interventions.
The above list of topics is not exhaustive. We welcome proposals that 
explore media workforce development, particularly in-work training, 
upskilling, and professional development models that support fair work 
across the media and creative industries. The committee also welcomes 
submissions with a focus on R&D methodologies and practice-based 
research closely aligned with industry needs and engagement. If you are 
unsure whether your topic fits, please contact the organisers.
We invite postgraduate and early career researchers to submit papers for 
a special session on the future of Creative Industries research. We 
welcome work that explores collaboration with industry, assesses 
partnership impact, or presents case studies bridging academia and practice.
Submission Guidelines and Publication
* Submission Format: Authors are invited to submit abstracts of up to 
500 words  (excluding references) by 16th January 2026.
Submissions should outline the research and contribution to the field or 
to creative industry development and policy. Submissions should also 
indicate the relevant conference theme or themes (Green, Fair, Global, 
Growth, Postgraduate Researcher session). All submissions will be 
subject to a peer review process.
* How to Submit: Abstracts must be submitted in PDF format via the 
Frontiers in Communication submission portal. 
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74172/media-cymru-innovation-conference-and-showcase-2026-call-for-papers

All abstract submissions for the conference will be managed through the 
Frontiers in Communication Research Topic platform and should be 
submitted via this page. Please note that Frontiers refers to abstracts 
as ‘manuscript summaries.’ To submit your abstract, please click 
‘Submit’ > ‘Submit your manuscript summary’ and follow the on-screen 
instructions. Any reference to manuscripts, manuscript submission, and 
publication fees on this page or within the submission portal should be 
ignored.
Conference Proceedings and Publication Opportunities
* Special Issue Opportunity: Selected authors will be invited to submit 
a full-length version of their research for publication consideration in 
a peer-reviewed special issue of Frontiers in Communication, within the 
journal’s Media, Creative and Cultural Industries section. Invitations 
for full paper submissions will be issued following the conference and 
will be subject to a separate peer review process.

Attendance
* Location: Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK (in-person)
* Conference and Showcase Activities: Following the conference, a 
two-day showcase will highlight the innovations and impact of the Media 
Cymru programme. Attendees will be invited to explore the latest in 
sustainable and inclusive media innovation, from immersive storytelling 
to green production models. The showcase offers valuable opportunities 
to connect with industry professionals, discover new collaborations, and 
engage with bold ideas shaping the future of media.
* About Media Cymru: Media Cymru is working towards sustainable and 
inclusive economic growth in the Welsh media sector. Backed by £49 
million in funding, including £22 million from UKRI’s Strength in Places 
Fund and significant investment from government and industry, Media 
Cymru is a collaborative initiative led by 22 partner organisations. If 
you want to learn more about Media Cymru, click here.
* Bursary support: A limited number of registration fee waivers will be 
available for eligible presenters.

Important Dates
2025
15 Oct – Call for Papers opens
2026
16 Jan – Submission deadline
14–17 Sept – Conference and Showcase take place
All deadlines are 23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE). Early submissions are 
appreciated.

Contact and Organisers
The conference is organised by Media Cymru and the Centre for the 
Creative Economy at Cardiff University.
Conference URL: 
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74172/media-cymru-innovation-conference-and-showcase-2026-call-for-papers 
<https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74172/media-cymru-innovation-conference-and-showcase-2026-call-for-papers>
Contact: (mcconf /at/ cardiff.ac.uk)


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