Major theme: Visual Political Communication in the Nordic Region — Strategies, Narratives, and Challenges in a Digital Age
The Nordicom Review has announced a special issue titled “Visual Political Communication in the Nordic Region: Strategies, Narratives, and Challenges in a Digital Age.” This call invites scholars from media studies, political science, communication, and related disciplines to contribute research exploring the evolving landscape of visual political communication in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Understanding the Visual Turn in Nordic Politics
Visuals have always been central to political communication, shaping how political actors convey messages and how audiences interpret political realities. Research has long recognised the unique cognitive and emotional power of visual information, acknowledging that images are processed and remembered more efficiently than verbal communication and can influence political attitudes and behaviours. Despite early recognition of its importance, visual political communication has only gained sustained scholarly attention in recent decades.
In addition, the rise of digital media platforms has fundamentally transformed the visual dimension of political discourse. Political narratives are increasingly constructed and contested through images, memes, videos, and data visualizations. These developments call for research that not only considers the general content, strategies, and effects of visual political communication but also accounts for their broader societal embeddedness and implications for trust, engagement, and democratic resilience.
In the Nordic context, where political systems are marked by high levels of institutional trust, transparency, and democratic participation, visual political communication takes on distinctive characteristics. While the region is often associated with social cohesion and stable governance, it is not immune to political polarisation, populist rhetoric, and digital disinformation. Recent years have seen intensifying debates on immigration, identity, and climate change – all heavily mediated through visual content. At the same time, the widespread use of social media has enabled new forms of political expression by citizens, activists, and alternative media actors.
Submission Guidelines and Timeline
- Extended Abstract Deadline: 15 September 2025
- Notification for Full Paper Submission: 3 October 2025
- Full Paper Submission Deadline: 9 February 2026
- Peer Review Process: Spring 2026
- Expected Publication: Early 2027 (Open Access).
Editorial Contacts
- Franziska Marquart (University of Copenhagen): fm@hum.ku.dk
- Xénia Farkas (DIGSUM, Umeå University): xenia.farkas@umu.se
This special issue offers a timely opportunity to contribute to the understanding of visual political communication in the Nordic region’s unique democratic context. Researchers are encouraged to submit their work and engage with the broader scholarly community on this pertinent topic.
For more details and submission: https://www.nordicom.gu.se/en/latest/news/call-papers-visual-political-communication-nordic-region-strategies-narratives-and
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