Call for Papers: Netherlands Media Studies Conference

Save the date: 23 October 2025 | Utrecht

The deadline for submitting proposals is: Monday May 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Conference organise comittee: Dr Sandra Banjac (RUG), Bjorn Beijnon (UvA), Prof. dr Marcel Broersma (RUG), Dr Tim van de Heijden (OU), Nele Kadastik (RU), Dr Judith Keilbach (UU), Prof. dr Thomas Poell (UvA), Dr Annika Richterich (UM), Nataliia Vdovychenko (UT), Merit Zimmermann (EUR) and RMeS

RMeS is inviting submissions to the first Netherlands Media Studies Conference. This one-day event will take place in Utrecht on Thursday 23 October 2025. It provides a space for media studies scholars and students to discuss their work and make connections with peers.

Media Studies is a flourishing field in the Netherlands and has a leading position internationally. Currently, ten universities that offer education and do research in the field are participating in the NetherlandsResearch School for Media Studies (RMeS). RMeS aims to bring the field together across universities, different strands, traditions and themes. This conference offers a stimulating space to cross bridges and have in-depth conversations through a range of formats.

We invite Faculty members, PhD students and RMA students to take part in this event and submit proposals for:

• Round Tables: bringing together 4-5 scholars for an in-depth conversation about a cutting-edge topic, theoretical approach or method. Guided by a moderator, the panelists will engage with one another and the audience.
  Submit a title, short abstract of the theme of the round table, and names and bios of the panelists and moderator (500-1000 words).
• Lightning Talks: hosting 6 individual presentations in Pechakucha style (20 slides x 20 seconds per slide; in total 6:40 minutes), with ample time to discuss your work or an argument you put forward in your presentation.
  Submit a title and abstract for your presentation, and a short bio (350 words). Accepted presentations will be put together in coherent panels.
• Research escalator sessions: offering the opportunity to present a research idea or project that does not necessarily have to be performed upon submission. The sessions are aimed for early-career researchers (on a Master’s or PhD candidate level) who are looking for a discussion or advice on their ideas from peers and/or established scholars.
  Submit a title and abstract for your presentation, and a short bio (350 words).
• Fish Bowl sessions: offering an open space for discussion on a pre-defined topic, led by a moderator. All participants in the session are invited to participate in the conversation.
  Submit a title, short abstract of the theme of the session, and names and bios of the moderator and organizers (500-1000 words).
• Workshops: offering collaborative sessions where researchers with shared interests come together to explore a topic/issue, guided by a facilitator, encouraging open discussion, knowledge exchange, and/or creative engagement and making.
  Submit a title, short abstract of the theme of the workshop, and names and bios of the facilitator(-s) and organizers (500-1000 words).
• Thematic panel: bringing together 4-5 research presentations of max. 12 minutes each on a coherent theme.
  Submit a title, short abstract of the theme of the panel, abstracts of the papers, and names and bios of the panelists and chair (500-1000 words). 

*Please note that bios are excluded from the indicated word counts. 

The deadline for submitting proposals is: Monday May 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Please send your proposal to: RMeS@rug.nl. Applicants will be notified if their submission was successful by mid-June. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and accept a diverse range of proposals. Proposals for round tables and thematic panels that include scholars working at different Dutch universities will be prioritized.