[Commlist] CfP Media Cymru Innovation Conference and Showcase

*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>*
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. Frontiers | 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>

    /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. <https://media.cymru/>
  *
    *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.
*Contact:*(mcconf /at/ cardiff.ac.uk)

---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------