Disrupting & Consolidating Communication Research in a Transforming South Asia

Date: 13 - 16 June 2025
Location: Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE
Hashtags: #ICA2025 

Abstract submission form

The 75th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, scheduled from 13- 16 June, 2025, is based on the theme "Disrupting and Consolidating Communication Research in a Transforming South Asia." This theme aims to critically assess the evolution of communication research in India, challenge dominant paradigms, and explore new frameworks that reflect the country’s socio-political and technological transformations.

Against this backdrop, the ICA Manipal Regional Hub, which is in its fourth consecutive year of existence will host its parallel conference in alignment with ICA’s global event, continuing its role as a key site for scholarly engagement in South Asia. The conference will provide a platform to evaluate the trajectory of Indian communication research, bringing together academicians, practitioners, and emerging scholars to explore methodological shifts, interdisciplinary approaches, and the impact of communication on democracy, technology, and social transformation.

Communication research in India has evolved from modernization-centric paradigms to critical examinations of power, identity, and local knowledge systems. This shift is particularly relevant in the contemporary context, where AI, digital platforms, and information ecosystems shape public discourse and governance. The conference aims to disrupt existing narratives by amplifying voices from the Global South, fostering dialogues on technological adaptation, political communication, and public engagement.

In addition, the conference commemorates 50 years of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), a milestone in India’s communication history, by reflecting on lessons learned from media interventions and their relevance to contemporary technological challenges.

Through plenary sessions, thematic paper presentations, an ICA India Chapter event, and collaborative networking opportunities, ICA Manipal 2025 will serve as a crucial forum for reshaping communication research in India and South Asia. It seeks to bridge academia and practice, challenge dominant methodologies, and chart a course for the future of communication studies in an era of rapid socio-technological change. 

ICA Conference Brochure 2025

How to Reach Manipal

1. Communicating in Polyphonic Societies
   • Linguistic and cultural diversity
   • Global theories vs. local contexts
   • Vernacular media and discourse
   • Digital platforms and plurality
   • Alternative knowledge systems
2. The Role of Communication in Shaping Indian Democracy
   • Media and political narratives
   • Misinformation and public opinion
   • Social media and mobilization
   • Grassroots and alternative media
   • Democracy and media influence
3. Technological Disruption & Local Adaptations
   • AI in media practices
   • Ethics of automation & surveillance
   • Digital divide and access
   • Local resistance to technology
   • Platformization and governance
4. Amplifying Voices from the Global South
   • Decolonizing communication research
   • Indigenous knowledge and methods
   • Alternative storytelling traditions
   • Digital culture and transformation
   • South Asian media contributions
5. Public Scholarship & Social Transformation
   • Media and social justice
   • Caste, gender, and environment
   • Policy advocacy and activism
   • Climate communication impact
   • Traditional vs. digital media

Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 March 2025
Acceptance Notifications: 30 April 2025
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 30 May 2025

Emerging Scholars (Students & Research Scholars)

• Early Bird Registration: ₹1500
• Late Registration: ₹3000

Faculty & Media Professionals

• Early Bird Registration: ₹3000
• Late Registration: ₹6000

Contact Us

ICA Regional Hub Manipal
Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE
Madhav Nagar, Eshwar Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka – 576104
Email: icaregionalhub@manipal.edu
Follow us on Social Media:
Twitter/X: @ICA_ManipalHub
Instagram: @ICA_Manipal_2022