The International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) has announced a call for submissions for its 2027 international conference, scheduled to take place in Cardiff, Wales, from 30 June to 3 July 2027.
The conference, themed “A Dance of Perception: The Symbiosis of Image and Sound,” will bring together scholars, researchers, filmmakers, media professionals and creative practitioners to examine how visual and auditory elements interact to construct social meaning, shape perceptions and influence everyday experiences.
The event provides an interdisciplinary platform for discussions on emerging developments in visual sociology, media and communication, cultural studies, digital technologies and audiovisual storytelling.
Conference Themes and Topics
The conference welcomes submissions addressing a broad range of topics, including:
- The politics of soundtracks, music and sound design in visual narratives.
- Ethnographic filmmaking and the ethics of audiovisual representation.
- Digital cultures, social media aesthetics and synthetic media.
- Sound, image and performance in rituals and everyday life.
- Memory, identity, emotion and audiovisual archives.
- AI-generated soundscapes, deepfakes and media authenticity.
- Practice-led and participatory approaches to audiovisual research.
Who Can Participate?
The conference is open to academics, postgraduate students, early-career researchers, journalists, documentary filmmakers, digital media practitioners and professionals working across related disciplines.
Researchers and practitioners exploring African media, cultural identities, visual representation, digital storytelling and audiovisual communication may find the conference particularly relevant to their work.
Submission Categories
Participants are invited to submit proposals in the following formats:
- Research papers: 15-minute presentations.
- Interactive workshops: Participatory sessions exploring research and creative practices.
- Posters: Visual presentations of research findings and projects.
- Exhibitions and installations: Creative and practice-based contributions.
- Films: Audiovisual works submitted through the IVSA Film Festival platform.
Practice-led researchers and early-career scholars are particularly encouraged to submit their work.
Important Dates
- 30 November 2026: Abstract submission deadline.
- 30 June – 3 July 2027: Conference dates.
Conference Organisation
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.
Submission and Further Information
Interested participants can access the complete call for papers, submission guidelines and conference information through the official IVSA website.
AfroMedia Network shares this conference opportunity as part of its commitment to promoting academic exchange, media research, professional development and international collaboration among African media scholars, journalists and communication practitioners.