This June, I’ll be joining thousands of communication scholars in Cape Town for the 76th Annual ICA Conference. I’m wearing a few different hats this year, presenter, discussant, and chair, and the schedule is looking pretty packed. If you’re attending, here is where you can find me:
The Research Escalator
I’m kicking things off on Friday, June 5th (12:00 PM) at the Media Industry Studies Research Escalator.
This is actually one of my favorite parts of the conference. Rather than a formal presentation, this is a mentorship-style session. I’ll be acting as a Discussant, providing feedback to some incredible emerging scholars. We’ll be diving into a wide range of topics, from the political economy of YouTube donations to the rise of AI companion apps and “influence capitalism.”
Top Paper Panel
Later that same day (Friday, June 5th at 3:00 PM), things get a bit more formal. I’m honored to be part of the Top Paper Panel for Media Industry Studies.
I’ll be presenting the paper I co-authored with former colleague Pranjali Mann titled: “Machine-readable: Generative AI intervention in visual production and its implications on creative labor.” This research emerged from the workshops I’ve been running at the Digital Democracies Institute in 2024/2025. It’s an exploration of how Generative AI isn’t just “replacing” tasks, but fundamentally restructuring the value of human creative work. Being recognized in the Top Paper category is a huge thrill.
Chairing Duties: Maps, Love, and Power
After a weekend of networking (and hopefully some sightseeing), I’m back in the chair’s seat on Monday, June 8th.
First up at 10:30 AM, I’m chairing a session titled “PURR-vasive Presences: Context-Aware Maps, Love Interfaces & Vernacular Hashtags.” It’s a fascinating, eclectic mix of papers. We’ll be talking about everything from the interface design of “platform-mediated love” games to the environmental imaginaries of 5G infrastructure.
Then, to wrap up my official duties, I’ll be chairing another session at 3:00 PM on “Media Power: Institutional Logics, Digital Divide, Big Tech Enclosure and Decentralization.” This one gets into the “meat” of structural issues, such as Big Tech’s enclosure of the web, the digital divide, and how decentralized social media might actually offer a way forward for democratic discourse.
Let’s Connect!
Beyond the scheduled sessions, I’m mostly looking forward to the coffee breaks and the spontaneous conversations that happen in the hallways (the so-called Hallway Session). If you are going to be in Cape Town, please reach out! Whether you want to talk about AI, media labor, or just where to find the best coffee near the convention centre, I’d love to catch up.
See you in the Southern Hemisphere in June!
Photo credits: Tobias Reich