Music Audio Radio and Sound Working Group - Call for Proposals 2025

The Music Audio Radio and Sound (MAR) Working Group is inviting submissions of abstract for the MAR stream at IAMCR 2025 (13 - 17 July) in Singapore. The central theme of the 2025 conference is Communicating Environmental Justice: Many Voices, One Planet. Music Audio Radio and Sound Working Group encourages presentations including audio.

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

In an era defined by environmental crises and social disparities, the need for effective communication championing environmental justice has never been more urgent. Our theme highlights the critical intersection of diverse voices from various stakeholders and their collaborative action in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

Consult a detailed description of the main theme

The MARS Working Group invites submissions relating to the main IAMCR 2025 theme, with focus on how audio expressions, technologies and cultures engage with environmental communication and justice. Not all submissions will address the main theme, and the Working Group also welcomes individual submissions and panels addressing the following (but not limited to): audio-based production practices (professional and amateur), content, industries, technologies, platforms, distribution, audiences and reception practices.

These are some of the possible topics:

  • Sustainability and environmental impact of audio industries
  • Noise policies
  • Sound narratives 
  • Sound activism 
  • Datafication of sound industries
  • Music and podcasting 
  • Podcast industries and communities
  • Micro-radio and ultra-local podcast
  • Sound and power: political economy of sound, radio, podcasting and audio industries
  • Music and audio diversity
  • Music industries: synergies, interactions, structures 
  • Audio and gender in a digital environment
  • Audio-based Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Trust and authenticity in audio-based content
  • Methodological and theoretical approaches for audio-based research 

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.

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.

Abstracts should be between 800 and 1000 words. MARS encourages presentations including audio, so please note any technical requirements in the submission. 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.

The same abstract, or a version with minor variations in title or content, must not be submitted to more than one Section or Working Group. Such submissions will be deemed to be in breach of the conference guidelines and will be rejected. Authors submitting the same work to multiple Sections or Working Groups may be removed entirely from the conference programme.

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 the proposed topic as evidenced in the submission
  • The final acceptance of proposals is also 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

MARS accepts abstract submissions in English and Spanish. Presentations are also welcome in any of the two languages, but we recommend researchers to prepare their slides in English to facilitate comprehension and discussion

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 submissions and the MARS Working Group, please contact:

Co-Chair: Nacho Gallego juanignacio.gallego@uc3m.es
Co-chair: Mia Lindgren mia.lindgren@utas.edu.au