May 5, 2026

Lusaka, Zambia

Deadline: February 20, 2026

In connection with the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2026 Global Conference, which will take place in Lusaka on 4 May, UNESCO and partners: University of Liverpool, Oslo Metropolitan University, the University of Sheffield, Tampere University, the University of Zambia, and the Worlds of Journalism Study invite scholars to submit abstracts for the WPFD Academic Conference to be held on 5 May 2026 in Lusaka.

At a time of declining global freedom of expression, rising conflict, digital disruption, and growing economic pressure on independent media, the academic conference will provide a platform for evidence-based research and interdisciplinary dialogue on the future of journalism, information ecosystems, and democratic governance.

Please submit your abstracts via this link: https://forms.gle/mT8YsCQGSoLcxpja7

The deadline for abstract submissions is 20 February.

For any further inquiries, please contact either:

Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, University of Liverpool, vpetkova@liverpool.ac.uk

Dr Brenda Bukowa, University of Zambia, hod.dmcs@unza.ac.zm