Theme: A Dance of Perception – The Symbiosis of Image and Sound
Dates: 30 June – 3 July 2027
Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026
The International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) invites scholars, researchers, media practitioners and creative professionals to submit proposals for its 2027 international conference, taking place in Cardiff, Wales, from 30 June to 3 July 2027.
Under the theme “A Dance of Perception: The Symbiosis of Image and Sound,” the conference will explore the relationship between visual and auditory forms of communication and their role in shaping social meaning, cultural identities and everyday experiences.
The conference offers an interdisciplinary platform for researchers and practitioners in journalism, media and communication studies, visual sociology, cultural studies, digital media, documentary filmmaking and audiovisual research to exchange ideas and present innovative work.
Key Areas of Interest
Submissions are encouraged on a wide range of topics, including:
- The politics of soundtracks, music and sound design in visual storytelling.
- Ethnographic filmmaking and ethical considerations in audiovisual representation.
- Digital cultures, social media aesthetics and synthetic media.
- The relationship between sound, image and performance in cultural rituals and everyday life.
- Memory, identity, emotion and audiovisual archives.
- Artificial intelligence, deepfakes and questions of authenticity in media production.
- Participatory and practice-based approaches to audiovisual research.
Submission Formats
The conference welcomes contributions in several formats, including 15-minute research presentations, interactive workshops, posters, exhibitions, installations and films.
Early-career researchers and practitioners engaged in creative and practice-led research are particularly encouraged to participate.
Important Dates and Submission Information
Abstract submission deadline: 30 November 2026
Conference dates: 30 June – 3 July 2027
Researchers interested in participating can access the full call for papers and submission guidelines through the official conference website:
IVSA 2027 Conference – Full Call for Papers
Filmmakers wishing to submit their work to the conference’s film festival can apply through:
IVSA Film Festival – FilmFreeway
Conference Organisers
The conference is organised in collaboration with the University of South Wales’ Creative Industries Research and Innovation Group and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The event presents an opportunity for media scholars, communication researchers and creative practitioners, including those working on African media, cultural representation and digital storytelling, to contribute to international discussions on the evolving relationship between image, sound and society.
AfroMedia Network encourages interested researchers, journalists, filmmakers and media professionals to explore this opportunity and submit their proposals before the deadline.