Political Studies Association Conference: Dis(mis)information and the Public Sphere in the Age of AI

Call for papers

You are warmly invited to submit papers for presentation at the joint annual conference of the Political Studies Association’s Media and Politics Group & Technology, Information and Policy Group.

This year’s conference theme, “Dis(mis)information and the Public Sphere in the Age of AI,” will explore how Information Communication Technologies (ICT) are impacting the public sphere and whether social media facilitates an electronic agora.

For advocates of a digital democracy, the abundance of unfiltered information streams, platforms and podcasts could enable ‘net’ citizens (or ‘Netizens’) to connect on a many-to-many or peer-to-peer basis.

Such viral engagements can enhance grassroots political causes, social movements and direct-action campaigns. Conversely, critical theorists argue that social media has created societal, economic and political dislocations which have eroded rational debates into ideological polarisations.

Further, through such political communication networks and nodes, normative editorial and journalist practices are under threat, impacting trust and accuracy of information and eventually leading to dis(mis)information. This conference seeks to critically examine the opportunities and risks ICTs present to the public sphere.

The conference can be attended in-person only and will be held in City St George’s, University of London (Clerkenwell Campus, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK), on 12-13 January 2027.

Keynote speakers

• Steven Barnett - University of Westminster
• Jennifer Birks - University of Nottingham
• Jean Seaton - University of Westminster

Papers

We welcome paper submissions that address any of the following topics:

• Do ICTs and digital platforms impact citizen engagement, connection and political participation, thus democratising the public sphere?
• What role do deepfake and AI-generated images play in shaping the modern online public sphere?
• What is the role of ICTs and digital platforms in political campaigning? Are they reshaping campaign strategies, political marketing, civic and voter engagement?
• How do social media algorithms impact political discussion in the public sphere?
• Do ICTs and online platforms provide reliable information or do they misinform citizens?
• What are the ethical implications of dis(mis)information and what is the impact of dis(mis)information on the rational public sphere?
• Are digital platforms providing spaces for democratic movements, especially in regimes that oppress freedom of expression?
• What regulatory and policy developments should be initiated to make digital platforms trustworthy and accountable?
• Can the 2022 landmark EU regulations Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) as well as the 2023 UK Online Safety Act ensure a safer and fairer digital space?

We encourage submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including but not limited to political science, media studies, communication, sociology, law, and technology studies. Submissions are welcomed from scholars at all career stages, including PhD candidates and early-career researchers, as well as practitioners engaged in media, politics or related fields.

While the main theme of this conference is “Dis(mis)information and the Public Sphere in the Age of AI”, the MPG and TIP operate an open and inclusive policy, and papers dealing with any aspect of media, technology and politics are welcomed.

Papers may focus on areas from political communication and journalism to data, artificial intelligence, social media and tech policy; but also include a broader view of the political sphere within such areas as television, cinema and media arts, both factual and fictional.

In addition to academic research, the conference will also welcome practice-based work in art, film and performance related to the area of media and politics.

Key dates

• Monday 7th Sept 2026 - Deadline for paper submission outlining the title, synopsis, and chair details, as well as the abstracts for each contributor (no more than 250 words each).
• Monday 28th Sept 2026 - Paper proposers notified of the decision by the conference committee. Conference registration opens.
• Friday 11th December 2026 - Extended abstract deadline for James Thomas Memorial Prize applicants.
• Tuesday 12th - Wednesday 13 January 2027 - Conference held in City St George’s, University of London.

Submitting proposals

We welcome both paper and panel proposals for this conference. Paper proposals should be for 15-minute presentations. Submitted abstracts should be no more than 300 words (excluding references).

If you wish to submit a panel proposal, please note for following stipulations:

• Panel proposals should include a panel overview (max. 300 words), outlining the title, synopsis, and chair details, as well as the abstracts for each contributor (no more than 250 words each).
• Panels usually consist of three to four papers and a chair.
• Panels should aim to reflect the diversity of the profession.

Please submit all proposals to Petros Iosifidis: p.iosifidis@city.ac.uk and Mark Wheeler: m.wheeler@londonmet.ac.uk / mbdoctormark@gmail.com.

Potential outputs

The Journal of Digital Media and Policy that Petros edits will do a special edition. The thematic and call for papers will be outlined closer to the conference time and will feature in the journal’s website.

Book launch

We would be having the launch of the De Gruyter Handbook of Digital Political Communication that Mark and Petros have edited will be published shortly.

Registration fees

• Full-time delegate conference fee (PSA member): £150
• Full-time delegate conference fee (non-PSA member): £180
• PG doctoral candidate, retired or unwaged fee (Member/Non-Member): £95/£125

This covers lunches, coffee breaks, a drinks reception and the annual dinner. We will be seeking to establish appropriate set of hotel/hostel deals for those colleagues who will be visiting London.

The PSA offers a limited number of travel subsidies (up to the value of £100) to support postgraduate student participation in this event. Postgraduate students interested in applying for these subsidies should please note this when submitting.

James Thomas Memorial Prize

Extended abstracts of a maximum of 2000 words submitted by postgraduate students will be entered into the James Thomas Memorial Prize. This annual award is presented to the most outstanding paper by a postgraduate student at the Media & Politics Group Annual Conference.

Postgraduate students wishing to be considered for the prize should send extended abstracts to Petros Iosifidis: p.iosifidis@city.ac.uk and Mark Wheeler: m.wheeler@londonmet.ac.uk / mbdoctormark@gmail.com by Friday 11th December 2026.

About the PSA

The Political Studies Association is the UK’s leading association in the study and research of politics. The Media and Politics Group and Technology, Information and Policy Groups are welcoming and inclusive. The conference welcomes contributions both from members and non-members of the Political Studies Association.

Organising team

Leads:

• Petros Iosifidis - City St George’s, University of London
• Mark Wheeler - London Metropolitan University

Steering committee:

• Charles Lees - City St George’s, University of London
• Stephanie Baker - City St George’s, University of London
• Chris Rojek - City St George’s, University of London
• Jean Chalaby - City St George’s, University of London
• Wendy Stokes - London Metropolitan University
• Liam McLoughlin - Edge Hill University