[Commlist] CFP: Gender and Communication Conference

Call for Extended Abstracts

Gender and Communication Conference (GaCC)

Accelerating Women’s Participation and Representation in Media and 
Communication for Viksit Bharat @ 2047

7 and 8 March 2025 (Friday and Saturday)

Introduction

The School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be University (KSMC) is 
organizing the Gender and Communication Conference (GaCC) under the 
theme, “Accelerating Women’s Participation and Representation in Media 
and Communication for Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” Timed to coincide with 
International Women’s Day week, this two-day academic conference aims to 
engage in rigorous analysis, foster critical discourse, and generate 
actionable insights addressing the gender imbalances in media and 
communication sectors. The conference will prioritize policy-oriented 
recommendations to advance women’s leadership and representation in 
these sectors. This initiative aligns with the national vision of Viksit 
Bharat@2047, emphasizing inclusivity, gender equity, and sustainable 
development as foundational principles for India’s transformation into a 
developed nation.

Objectives

The GaCC aims to critically address persistent gender disparities in 
media and communication sectors while exploring innovative strategies to 
promote women’s leadership, amplify their voices, and ensure equitable 
opportunities across the industry. By fostering inclusivity and 
gender-sensitive practices, the conference seeks to highlight systemic 
challenges faced by women, showcase exemplary models of empowerment and 
leadership, and advocate for robust policy frameworks that enhance 
gender representation in media. Furthermore, it aims to facilitate 
meaningful networking and collaboration among key stakeholders, 
including academicians, policymakers, professionals, and students, 
contributing to the national dialogue on gender equity as a cornerstone 
of India’s vision for Viksit Bharat.

Sub-Themes

Women Representation in Media and Narratives: Media is a powerful tool 
for shaping societal attitudes. This sub-theme will critically examine 
how women are portrayed in media, analyse the prevalence of stereotypes, 
and explore ways to create more balanced and empowering narratives that 
resonate with diverse audiences.

Women and Leadership: This sub-theme will delve into systemic barriers 
hindering women in the workspace, and their progress in leadership 
positions within media and communication sectors. It will highlight 
inspiring journeys, policy interventions, and organizational best 
practices that have successfully fostered gender equity.

Women and Technology: The integration of digital technologies into 
communication offers significant opportunities for women’s empowerment 
while presenting challenges, such as digital exclusion and cyber 
threats. This sub-theme will explore strategies to promote digital 
inclusion and safety, enabling women to utilize digital platforms for 
visibility and advocacy.

Women in Regional and Vernacular Sphere: Regional and vernacular spheres 
remain untapped platforms for advancing gender equity. This sub-theme 
will explore the unique challenges faced by women in non-metropolitan 
areas and discuss strategies for empowering them through training, 
capacity-building, and representation.

Women-Focused Policy Frameworks: Policy plays a crucial role in creating 
equitable work environments. Discussions under this sub-theme will focus 
on existing policies, gaps, and recommendations for fostering 
gender-sensitive workplaces and equitable representation across media 
and communication industries.

The conference invites submissions in other areas which align with the 
theme.

Structure and Target Participants

The conference will feature keynote lectures, expert panel discussions, 
and academic paper presentations, creating a multidisciplinary platform 
for engagement. It will convene academicians, media professionals, 
policymakers, activists, and students, fostering intellectual 
collaboration and professional networking.

Expected Outcomes

The GaCC aims to generate impactful outcomes, primarily focusing on 
producing a comprehensive publication that consolidates the conference’s 
deliberations, insights, and recommendations. This publication will 
include an edited volume of research papers presented at the conference, 
alongside policy briefs and best practice case studies, serving as a 
valuable resource for academicians, policymakers, and industry 
professionals. The proceedings will emphasize actionable strategies for 
enhancing women’s participation and representation in media and 
communication, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. 
Additionally, the publication will be disseminated widely to ensure its 
reach among stakeholders and to contribute to academic scholarship, 
policy reform, and practical implementation. By fostering collaborative 
knowledge production, the GaCC aims to establish a foundation for 
sustained engagement with gender equity in media.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit an extended abstract (800-1000 words) including details of 
the paper such as the title, contributor(s) with contact details, 
abstract, and keywords. The abstract should mention key literature, 
research questions, theory, method, major findings and contribution to 
existing knowledge. PhD and early career researchers are encouraged to 
contribute.

Please send an extended abstract (800-1000 words) with a short bio (100 
words) to (contacts.ksmc /at/ kiit.ac.in) <mailto:(contacts.ksmc /at/ kiit.ac.in)> by 
31 January 2025.

Convenor: Dr Bidu Bhusan Dash, Acting Dean, KIIT School of Mass 
Communication, Bhubaneswar, Email: (bidu.dashfmc /at/ kiit.ac.in) 
<mailto:(bidu.dashfmc /at/ kiit.ac.in)>


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