The Health Communication (HEC) Working Group of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) invites the submission of abstracts for IAMCR 2025, which will be held in Singapore from 13 to 17 July 2025, hosted by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University.
The deadline for submission is 7 February 2025, at 23h59 UTC.
See the list of all sections and working groups and their remits
See the CfPs of all sections and working groups
IAMCR conferences address many diverse topics defined by our 37 thematic sections and working groups. We also propose a single central theme to be explored throughout the conference with the aim of generating and exploring multiple perspectives. This is accomplished through plenary and special sessions, as well as in many of the sessions of the sections and working groups. The 2025 central theme is Communicating Environmental Justice: Many Voices, One Planet.
Consult a detailed description of the main theme
In an era defined by environmental crises and social disparities, the need for effective communication championing environmental justice has never been more urgent. This year’s theme emphasizes the essential role of communication in empowering marginalized voices, promoting health equity, and supporting ecological justice. At a time when climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, the Health Communication Working Group seeks to amplify research that brings attention to the importance of communication in exploring the impact of environmental crises on the health and wellbeing of the communities. This is a call for scholarship that addresses the intersection of environmental and health crises, elevating the voices of those most impacted.
Singapore, a vibrant city-state known for its cultural diversity and sustainability programs serves as an ideal backdrop for this discourse. Despite its small geographic footprint, Singapore is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns. By hosting this conference in Singapore, we also aim to harness the multiplicity of perspectives that reflect its multicultural society and its numerous environmental initiatives. Here, we can explore how diverse voices can drive inclusive communication strategies that resonate with different communities, advocating for equity and justice in the face of environmental crises.
This year, The Health Communication Working Group encourages submissions that explore the intersections of health, environmental justice, and social equity through the following topics:
- Indigenous Leadership in Health and Climate Crisis
- Participatory and Inclusive Communication for Environmental Health
- Intersectoral and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Environmental Health and Social Justice
- Framing, Narrating, and Creative Advocacy
- Whole Person Healthcare and Planetary Health
- Communicating Health Policy and Advocacy
- Public Engagement in Health Communication
- Journalism, News, and Environmental Health
- Communicating Health in Climate Crises and Disasters
- AI and Technology in Health and Climate Communication
- Decolonising Health Communication
- Health Communication, Power Dynamics, and Colonial Legacies
- Trusted Messengers in Environmental Health Communication
- Theory and Methods at the Intersection
- The Crisis of Trust in Health Communication
We invite all scholars to contribute their unique insights, ensuring that the voices of diverse communities are heard and valued in the ongoing conversation about our planet's future. Together, let’s elevate diverse voices and forge pathways toward a sustainable future.
Joint session
In 2025, HEC will host a joint session with the Participatory Communication Research (PCR) as this session will contribute to the value of interdisciplinarity and mentorship-oriented spaces. If you would like your proposed paper to be included in the joint session, you must submit it to the Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR) and choose the topic tag HEC/PCR joint session in the ExOrdo submission platform.
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts must be submitted exclusively through IAMCR’s submission system from 3 December 2024 through 7 February 2025, at 23.59 UTC.
Abstract should be between 800 and 1000 words. It is expected that each person will submit only one abstract. However, no author’s name should appear on more than two abstracts, either individually or as part of any group of authors and authors should not submit more than one abstract to any single section or working group.
Evaluation criteria
Submitted abstracts will generally be evaluated on the basis of:
- Technical merit
- Readability
- Originality and/or significance
- Use of or contribution to theory
- Relevance to the section and current trends or controversies in its field
- Depth of knowledge of the research, theory and/or literature related to to the proposed topic as evidenced in the submission
- Acceptance of proposals may also be conditioned by programme diversity and balance criteria
Statement on use of AI tools
IAMCR does not encourage or condone the use of generative AI tools to prepare abstracts submitted for consideration for our conferences. IAMCR values originality, integrity, and transparency in academic work, and believes that human-authored contributions best support rigorous and innovative scholarship in media and communication research. Should an author choose to use a generative AI tool in the preparation of an abstract, we require that they include a clear statement within their submission disclosing the tool's use. This statement must specify: (1) the name of any AI tool used; (2) how the tool was used in preparing the abstract, and; (3) the reason for using the tool. Failure to disclose the use of generative AI in accordance with these guidelines may impact the evaluation and acceptance of the submission.
Languages
The Health Communication Working Group only accepts abstracts in English. Presentations must also be in English.
Deadlines and key dates
The deadline to submit abstracts is 7 February 2025, at 23.59 UTC. For other key dates see https://iamcr.org/singapore2025/keydates. Dates are subject to change.
Contacts
For further information about the Health Communication Working Group, its themes, submissions and panels please contact:
Co-Chair: Eliza Govender - Govendere1@ukzn.ac.za
Co-Chair: Fawad Shah - fawad.shah@auburn.edu
Vice chair: Monique Lewis - monique.lewis@griffith.edu.au
Vice chair: Adebayo Fayoyin afayoyin@gmail.com