Organised by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy, the Media Cymru Conference and Showcase will spotlight research and innovation in the media and creative industries, with a focus on making them greener, fairer, globally connected, and economically sustainable.

We invite all researchers and professionals to submit their academic work that explores approaches to and analysis of media and creative industries innovation in ways that can inform future practice and policy. We welcome a broad range of topics.

Conference themes and topics

Submissions should align with (at least one of)  four themes: Green, Fair, Global, and Growth. These themes reflect Media Cymru’s four strategic pillars, which serve as tracks for submissions:

Green

Environmental Sustainability: Research on the media’s role in tackling the climate crisis. Topics include:

• the role of media content in responding to the climate emergency
• sustainable film andTV production
• green broadcasting technologies and practices
• energy-efficient infrastructure for creative studios
• case studies on carbon reduction in media and the wider creative industries.

Fair

Inclusive and Equitable Creative Industries: Research promoting a fair, equitable and diverse media sector. Topics include:

• diversity and inclusion in media content and production
• representation and accessibility in film
• television and gaming
• community media initiatives
• minority language media production and consumption
• research that focuses on how to create greater equity in the creative industries.

Global

International Collaboration and Reach: Research on expanding the global impact and connections of small creative industries companies or regional ecosystems. Topics include:

• international co-productions and partnerships
• cross-cultural innovation in media
• export of creative content
• global audiences and markets
• creative tourism
• comparisons of creative economy policies across regions (work that highlights place-based innovation in the global creative landscape is especially welcome).

Growth

Creative Economy Development: Research driving economic growth and productivity through media Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I). Topics include:

• creative entrepreneurship and startups
• media business models and monetisation
• creative hubs and regional cluster development
• skill development and talent pipelines (linking education with industry)
• impacts of emerging technologies (AI, XR, gaming) on the creative economy
• evaluations of creative industry support programs or policy interventions.

These topics are not exhaustive. We welcome proposals that explore media workforce development, particularly in-work training, upskilling, and professional development models that support fair work across the media and creative industries. The committee also welcomes submissions with a focus on R&D methodologies and practice-based research closely aligned with industry needs and engagement. If you are unsure whether your topic fits, please contact the organisers.

We invite postgraduate and early career researchers to submit papers for a special session on the future of Creative Industries research. We welcome work that explores collaboration with industry, assesses partnership impact, or presents case studies bridging academia and practice.

Submission guidelines

Submission format

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of up to 500 words  (excluding references) by 16 January 2026.

Submissions should outline the research and contribution to the field or to creative industry development and policy. Submissions should also indicate the relevant conference theme or themes (Green, Fair, Global, Growth, Postgraduate Researcher session). All submissions will be subject to a peer review process.

How to submit

Abstracts must be submitted in PDF format via the Frontiers in Communication submission portal.

Conference proceedings and publication opportunities

Selected authors will be invited to submit a full-length version of their research for publication consideration in a peer-reviewed special issue of Frontiers in Communication, within the journal’s Media, Creative and Cultural Industries section. Invitations for full paper submissions will be issued following the conference and will be subject to a separate peer review process.

Attendance

Location

Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK (in-person)

Conference and Showcase Activities

Following the conference, a two-day showcase will highlight the innovations and impact of the Media Cymru programme. Attendees will be invited to explore the latest in sustainable and inclusive media innovation, from immersive storytelling to green production models. The showcase offers valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, discover new collaborations, and engage with bold ideas shaping the future of media.

About Media Cymru

Media Cymru is working towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Welsh media sector, aiming to turn Cardiff and the surrounding region into a global hub for media innovation. Backed by £49 million in funding, including £22 million from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Strength in Places Fund and significant investment from government and industry, Media Cymru is a collaborative initiative led by Cardiff University and 22 partner organisations

Bursary support

A limited number of registration fee waivers will be available for eligible presenters.

Important Dates (Tentative)

External Milestones

• 15 October 2025: Call for Papers opens
• 16 January 2026: Submission deadline
• Early April 2026: Registration opens
• Late April 2026: Speakers notified
• 8 May 2026: Presenter registration deadline
• 31 July 2026: Early bird registration deadline
• 15 August 2026: Final registration deadline
• 14–17 September 2026: Conference and Showcase

Deadline

All deadlines on 16 January 2026 are 23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE). Early submissions are appreciated.

Organisers

The conference is organised by Media Cymru and the Centre for the Creative Economy at Cardiff University.

Contact

mcconf@cardiff.ac.uk