The ICA preconference centers around the theme of “Computational Message Science.” This pre-conference will serve as a dynamic platform to explore the frontiers of cutting-edge computational methods applied to advance theories and practices concerning message effects. We define "message effects" broadly, including both the impacts of multidimensional and multimodal content/formats, as well as the effects stemming from the evolving sociopolitical and technological landscape where the production, reception, and retransmission of messages interact with evolving social dynamics (e.g., deepening inequalities, political polarization) and technological innovations (e.g., generative AI).

The primary objective of our proposed pre-conference is to create a vibrant platform to explore and advance an emerging area of inquiry centered around "Computational Message Science." By assembling a diverse panel of leading scholars from communication and related disciplines, our pre-conference aims to achieve the following:

1. Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate the exchange of novel insights, methodologies, and best practices in applying computational methods to study message effects. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of applying computational approaches to advance message effects research. Attendees will also have plenty of opportunities to interact with leading scholars and interested peers in this emerging field. 

2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Foster collaboration and interaction among scholars from different disciplines. These interactions will open opportunities for innovative research collaborations that capitalize on diverse expertise.

3. Methods Innovation: Engage in critical reflection on the current methods and practices in computational message effects research and collectively identify future directions, challenges, and opportunities for methodological innovation and application.

Time: June 19, 2024 (8:30am - 17:00pm) local time

Location: Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (2-hour train ride to the ICA main conference venue)

Format: Our pre-conference features keynote speeches, forum-style panels, and open-floor discussions. The forum-style panels will start with a pair of opening presentations from invited speakers, followed by an interview with the co-organizers, and wrapped up with a moderated discussion with the audience. These panels will cover broad themes such as computational measurements for multimodal messages, digital interventions, AI and message science, opportunities and pitfalls in academic-industry collaboration, among others. In each panel, we strive to feature the perspectives from both established scholars and emerging junior researchers, while promoting live interactions between panelists and the audience. We program two keynote speeches, four thematic panels throughout the day, and one open-floor discussion session involving all invited speakers and the audience to take stock of the past and chart out promising directions for the future. Through these sessions, we will collectively assess the progress we've made in applying computational methods to analyze message effects, and where we are heading into the future.

Registration is now open for our pre-conference! The deadline to register is May 31, 2024 (AOE), with a registration fee of $50 per person. Lunch, along with light snacks and beverages, is included with registration and will be provided at the conference venue.

Please register for our conference through this link on the ICA website: https://www.icahdq.org/event/computational-msg.

Computational Methods Division

Mass Communication Division