Conference Context

Communication studies from the digital age to the era of artificial intelligence are undergoing profound and multifaceted transformations, mirroring the global dynamics that are reshaping theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and research agendas. These transformations are occurring in a context marked by new geopolitical, social, societal, cultural, and digital challenges, all of which demand a reconfiguration of traditional analytical paradigms. Such reconfigurations are essential to comprehensively understand and address contemporary societies’ complex, evolving nature of communication.

At the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, which concluded in Paris on February 11, 2025, global political and technological leaders focused on the transformative impact of digital technology on the development of this globalized society, the contemporary communication practices, and international order (Présidence de la République Française, 2025). In particular, discussions highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping new global communication norms and governance structures in an era of comprehensive digitalization. Key issues such as data circulation and security, cross-cultural communication, the role of Global South in the AI revolution, and ethical considerations in AI-driven societies were underscored as critical areas requiring further academic reflection, interdisciplinary discourse and the deeper comprehensive dialogues among scholars from different countries (Présidence de la République Française, 2025).

The 75th-anniversary conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) is entitled “Disrupting and Consolidating Communication Research” (International Communication Association, 2025). Two pivotal concepts—subversion and consolidation—emerged as key focal points in communication studies within today’s context, reflecting the dual forces shaping the field. Subversion underscores not only the transformative and disruptive potential of communication but also the vitality infused into communication research through the inclusion of diverse voices, methodologies, and ideas from across regions and cultures. It signifies a dynamic rethinking of traditional paradigms, fueled by the engagement of scholars from varied backgrounds who challenge and enrich the field. Consolidation, by contrast, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the stability and coherence of systems and structures. It highlights how the integration of emerging, diverse perspectives contributes to the ongoing process of disciplinary unification, fostering a more inclusive and holistic understanding of communication as a discipline. Together, subversion and consolidation reflect the interplay between innovation and integration, which propels the field forward while embracing its expanding diversity. These concepts resonate deeply with the notion of transition, a focal point of scholarly inquiry for members of the ICA China and France Chapters and beyond in recent years. Such an alignment underscores the shared commitment of Chinese and French academic communities to examining the evolving dynamics of communication in a rapidly changing world, which is also associated with the value defended by the ICA REACH committee.

Conference Rationale

The emergence of innovative media tools and the increasing complexity of geopolitical and social landscapes have fundamentally transformed communication strategies, methodologies, and research priorities. These changes raise pressing challenges related to legitimacy and reputation management in the public sphere, while shifts from traditional to social media and from face-to-face to AI-driven interactions demand more interdisciplinary approaches. Communication scholars are thus compelled to continuously reassess their understanding of information exposure, organizational-public relationships, and the political dimensions of communication. Simultaneously, globalization has reinforced the need for greater diversity and inclusiveness within theoretical and methodological frameworks. In recent years, dominant U.S.-centered paradigms have faced growing critique, while alternative perspectives from Latin America, the Global South, and Europe have gained recognition. These approaches, rooted in distinct historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts, enrich communication research by illuminating how communication operates across varied societies in a time of global transition.

The Global South has become a particularly vital space for rethinking communication practices, challenging Western-centric theories through perspectives grounded in local knowledge, indigenous media, and postcolonial critique. For example, Latin America’s tradición de comunicación popular and Chinese digital media studies both question liberal-democratic assumptions central to much Western scholarship. In parallel, non-Anglophone traditions—especially French and Francophone research—have contributed rich insights through semiotics, structuralism, and Foucault’s analyses of discourse and power. Against this dynamic backdrop, the ICA China and France Chapters will co-host an ICA Regional Conference in late October 2025 in China, fostering collaboration among ICA Regional Chapters (including Indonesia, Nigeria, China, Kenya, France, and India). By incorporating Global South and non-Anglophone perspectives, the conference aims to cultivate a more pluralistic and inclusive discipline and to build long-term dialogues that advance diversity and cross-cultural exchange in global communication research.

Conference Theme and Topics

Theme

Diversity and Globalization of Communication Studies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

人工智能时代的传播学研究——多样性及全球化新趋势 

La diversité et la mondialisation des études en communication à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle 

Topics

Diversity in International Communication

• Cross-Cultural Communication in the Digital Age

• Media Representation and Cultural Inclusiveness

• Linguistic Diversity and AI-Powered Translation

• Indigenous and Minority Languages in Global Media

Globalization of Media and Technology

• Social Media’s Role in Globalization and Its Emerging Challenges

• The Impact of Streaming Platforms on Global Media Consumption

• The Influence of Global News Networks on Local Narratives

• AI and the Future of Journalism

AI and Communication in the Age of Intelligence

• The Ethics of AI in Media and Communication

• AI-Powered Chatbots and Human Interaction

• The Role of Big Data in Media Personalization

• Bias and Fairness in AI-Driven Communication

Communication for Social Change

• Digital Activism and Global Social Movements

• Communication Strategies in Global Health Crises

• Misinformation and Fact-Checking in a Globalized World

• The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception

The Future of Communication Studies

• Challenges in Teaching Communication in a Globalized World

• New Research Methods in AI and Media Studies

• The Role of Virtual Reality in Global Communication

• The Future of Journalism in an AI-Driven Society

Key Dates

Submission deadline (extended): July 10, 2025 August 10, 2025

Review begins: July 11, 2025 August 11, 2025

Review ends: August 5, 2025 September 5, 2025

Notification of acceptance: August 10, 2025 September 10, 2025

Submission Guidelines

• Submission: ica25.china@gmail.com

                     ica25china@163.com

• Paper format and length

  • Research Abstracts (500-800 words, excluding references and tables). Abstracts are intended for work in progress, offering the opportunity to present ongoing research that has not yet reached completion at the time of the submission deadline. Please note that abstracts must include descriptions and/or explanations of: the purpose of the paper; the paper’s contribution to communication theory and/or practice; the main theoretical framework and assumptions; preliminary research questions; research methods proposed; preliminary or expected results. 

  • Panel proposals/ round tables including four authors and a respondent or five authors and (1) a 450-word (max) rationale for the panel; (2) a 350-word (max) abstract of each participant’s presentation; (3) names & affiliation of panel participants; 4) name of panel chair/organizer, and 5) a 75-word description of the panel for the conference program. Panel and round table submissions should include not more than one contribution (with one or more authors) from a single faculty, department or school.

Attentions! Each panel proposal should (1) include contributions from at least two different countries; 

(2) feature gender and ethnic diversity, and (3) include no more than one contributor from a single faculty, department, or school.

• Posters (300 words max.):  Poster session is a chance for scholars with a less developed research idea to be matched with established discussants to help flesh out the ideas. The session's goal is to help develop the paper idea into a future conference submission or a journal manuscript. These sessions are often an opportunity for emerging researchers to gain insight from more experienced researchers. Those interested in participating should submit an extended abstract of up to 300 words. 

Organizing Committee

Our ICA China Chapter was inaugurated on March 28th in Beijing at an event attended by the Deans and Directors of Communication programs at seven major universities in China, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Renmin University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The organizing team of ICA China, chaired by Prof. Mengxiao Zhu, has well-established and enduring relationships with ICA, having hosted ICA Regional Hubs in multiple locations within China over the past three years. In addition, many of the organizers have been active members of ICA, including serving in leadership roles over the past several decades. ICA China has identified three goals: (i) continue to host local conferences and workshops as part of the ICA Regional Hub, (ii) host distinguished speaker series inviting communication scholars, including those from ICA, to share their work, and (iii) to introduce the latest progress in communication studies to graduate students and young scholars in China.

Conference Chairs

Dr. Mengxiao Zhu 

• mxzhu@ustc.edu.cn

• ICA China Chapter, University of Science and Technology of China

Dr. Di Zhang 

• dzhang04@ruc.edu.cn

• ICA China Chapter, Renmin University of China

Dr. Zhao Alexandre Huang 

• Zhao-alexandre.huang@univ-eiffel.fr

• ICA France Chapter, Université Gustave Eiffel, French Society of Information and Communication Sciences 

Invited Scholars

• Noshir Contractor, Professor, Northwestern U, ICA past President & REACH committee Chair

• Silvio Waisbord, Professor, George Washington U, ICA immediate past President

• Thomas Hanitzsch, Professor, LMU Munich, ICA President

• Lu Wei, Professor, Zhejiang U, Chair of ICA China Chapter 

• Baohua Zhou, Professor, Fudan U, ICA China Chapter

• Kai Kuang, Associate Professor, Tsinghua U, ICA China Chapter

• Xiuli Wang, Associate Professor, PKU, ICA China Chapter

• Yi Mou, Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong U, ICA China Chapter

• Carsten Wilhelm, Associate Professor, U Haute Haute-Alsace, Chair of ICA France Chapter

• Angeliki Monnier, Professor, U Lorraine, Past Chair of ICA France Chapter

• Marta Severo, Professor, U Paris Nanterre, ICA France Chapter

• Sabine Bolser, Associate Professor, U Haute Haute-Alsace, ICA France Chapter

• Eleni Mouratidou, Professor, U Paris Nanterre, ICA France Chapter

• Dorien Kartikawangi, Professor, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Representative of ICA Indonesia Chapter

• Ekaete George, Representative of ICA Nigeria Chapter

• Agnes Lucy Lando, Professor, Daystar University, Representative of ICA Kenya Chapter

• Padma Rani, Professor, Representative of ICA India Chapter

• Maureen Taylor, Professor, University of Technology Sydney, ICA Fellow

• Michael Kent, Professor, University of Technology Sydney, ICA Fellow

• Jack Qiu, Professor, Nanyang Technological U, ICA Fellow

• Yi-hui Christine Huang, Professor, City U of Hong Kong, ICA Fellow

• Johnathan Zhu, Professor, City U of Hong Kong, ICA Fellow

• Olessia Koltsova, Professor, HSE University

• Flora Hung-Baesecke, Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney