July 6-7, 2026

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain

Deadline: March 13, 2026

Full information: https://incom.uab.cat/congreso26/en/

Given the key role that digital platforms currently play in the media and cultural consumption of young people, the influence of artificial intelligence systems for organizing and generating content is a phenomenon of great academic relevance. Through personalized recommendations and systems that provide plausible answers to queries formulated in natural language, algorithmic mediations not only determine the information and entertainment content that young people consume, but also shape public opinion and levels of engagement with political and social issues.

With the I International Conference on Digital Audiences: Youth, Algorithmic Mediations and Political Socialization, organized by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the aim is to create a meeting space for researchers interested in analysing how digitalization and algorithmic mediations shape reception processes and the very configuration of audiences.

In this first edition, there is a particular interest in proposals that adopt an intersectional perspective on digital audiences, that take into account diversity and social inequalities, but there is also a desire to devote significant attention to the “informational experience”. More broadly, the objective is to discuss how the progressive displacement of human agency is affecting social engagement and citizen participation in the digital public sphere.

We expect contributions that delve into one of the following thematic lines:

1. New informational habits of youth audiences: This line seeks to explore how young people consume, share, and produce informational content on digital platforms. The goal is to address all types of digital environments, whether linked to traditional media or independent of them.

2. Algorithmic perceptions and imaginaries: This theme focuses on the role of personalization algorithms in content mediation and, more specifically, on how they are perceived by youth audiences. Particular interest lies in assessing the sense of control over algorithmic mediations, as well as the ability to identify and respond to biases and disinformation. Proposals may address studies on algorithmic literacy.

3. Political socialization: This section examines dynamics of political socialization in digital environments, considering aspects such as ideology formation, levels of social/collective engagement, or political participation. A wide range of topics is welcome, from the potential of digital activism to fears of cancellation among the most vulnerable groups. Although most available studies have been conducted during election campaigns, we aim to include all types of empirical work in this conference.

4. Gender and social representation: Through this thematic line, we intend to explore how gender identity and sexual orientation shape algorithmically mediated consumption. Proposals are invited on algorithmic biases, from analyses documenting the presence of prejudices and negative stereotypes toward minority social groups or "invisible" topics, to works offering solutions or strategies to address these issues.

Abstract: 300 -500 words (submitted via Form available at the site)

Proposal submission deadline: March 13, 2026

Proposals can be individual or collective (up to four authors).

Participation will be in-person (with at least one of the authors present).

Proposals may be submitted in Spanish, Catalan, or English.

All proposals will undergo a double-blind peer review process.

Registration is free for participants

Organized by: 

ALCOM - Perception and Knowledge generation on personalization algorithms in digital communication platforms ( PIs – Fernanda Pires and Celina Navarro - UAB). PID2023-1-48682OA-I00, financed by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/, FEDER/UE. https://webs.uab.cat/alcom/

POINTAP - Social Polarization and Interculturality: Monitoring Political News by Migrant and Native Youth from an Intersectional Perspective (PI – Amparo Huertas Bailén – UAB). https://incom.uab.cat/pointap/?lang=es

Partner organizations:

ICPS - The Political and Social Science Institute of Barcelona 

INCOM-UAB - Institute for Communication/ UNESCO Chair for Communication UAB

Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising UAB

AE-IC - Asociación Española de Investigación de la Comunicación