The University of Leeds is set to host a major international academic gathering—Race and Media Conference 2026—on April 22nd and 23rd, 2026, with an open call for insightful papers and panel proposals. This prestigious event will bring together critical voices exploring the complexities of race in today’s global media environments.
About the Conference
In an era of rising far-right rhetoric and deepening social fractures, the question of how racial difference is lived and mediated has gained renewed urgency. Media landscapes today are paradoxically rich in diversity yet shadowed by systemic racial violence, ethnonationalism, and algorithmic biases.
This conference aims to explore how race is represented, resisted, and reimagined across news, entertainment, digital platforms, and political discourse. Through scholarly engagement, creative practice, and transnational perspectives, participants will dissect the dual role of media as both a conduit for racist ideologies and a tool for social transformation.
Keynote Speakers
Two renowned scholars will headline the conference:
- Herman Gray – Emeritus Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Cruz
- Paula Chakravartty – James Weldon Johnson Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication, NYU
Themes and Topics
Submissions are encouraged across a wide range of areas, including but not limited to:
- Intersectionality in race and media
- Race and generative AI
- Media and authoritarianism
- Anti-racist activism and media
- Postcolonial nationalism and media discourses
- Racial capitalism in Global South media
- Diaspora, transnationalism, and cultural representation
- Caste, race, and digital cultures
- Influencer and promotional culture
- Mediating colonialism, migration, and urban multiculture
- Decolonising media studies
Contributors are urged to challenge existing theories and offer fresh perspectives that reflect the global diversity of media and racial politics.
Bursaries and Financial Support
A limited number of travel bursaries are available to support postgraduate students. Applicants should indicate their interest when submitting proposals.
Submission Guidelines
Deadline: 19th September 2025
Notification of Acceptance: 17th October 2025
Full Programme Release: 16th January 2026
- Individual Paper Proposals: 15-minute presentations. Submit a 300-word abstract (excluding references).
- Panel Proposals: Include a 300-word overview, chair details, and 250-word abstracts per presenter (3–4 papers per panel). Panels should reflect professional diversity.
- Creative Practice Submissions: Practice-based presentations are welcomed and encouraged. Email the team to discuss possibilities.
Submission Format: Word or PDF documents sent via email to: raceandmedia@leeds.ac.uk
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