The 11th European Communication Research Association (ECREA) conference is taking place this year in Brno, Czech Republic, under the title “Shifting Grounds: Paths, Connections, and Futures.” The conference focuses on the role of media and communication in a world of profound change. It examines the decisions, connections, and future perspectives that shape responses to challenges such as climate change, geopolitical conflicts, digitalization, and democratic backsliding. At the same time, the conference discusses how diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative research approaches can contribute to an inclusive and equitable future.
The conference will be opened on September 8th at 5 p.m. The HBI will be represented by several contributions in the following days.
The Contributions of the HBI at a Glance
9 September 2026
Panel: Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
Presentation: “I didn’t ask for it, I didn’t want it, and I wasn’t asked if I wanted it“: How Young People Experience and Cope With Unwanted Sexual Communication on the Internet, 3:00–3:15 p.m.
Dr. Claudia Lampert
Panel: AI, Trust, and Authenticity in Political Information
Presentation: New Affordance, Old Patterns? GenAI for Political Information and News Use, 3:15–3:30 p.m.
Prof. Dr. Judith Möller
10 September 2026
Panel: News Consumption and Public (Dis-)Connection
Presentation: Mapping the Social Space: Information-oriented Media Practices and Societal Values in Germany9:15-9:30 a.m.
Hannah Immler
Presentation: News Avoidance and Public Connection in the Context of the German Federal Election Campaign, 9:45-10:00 a.m.
Julia Behre
Panel: The Digital State, Platform Power, and Political Autonomy
Presentation: The Promise and Peril of Generative AI for Political Autonomy in Democratic Societies, 10:00–10:15 a.m.
Dr. Michael V. Reiss
Roundtable
Cross-Media Research: Paths, Connections, and Futures 11:15–11:30 a.m.
Dr. Lisa Merten
11 September 2026
Panel: Climate, Energy, and Polarizing Political Issues
Presentation: What Fuels the Fire? Identifying Polarizing Content in Climate Crisis News Coverage, 9:15-9:30 a.m.
Dr. Lisa Merten
Panel: Risk and Resilience in Digital Childhoods
Presentation: Navigating Online Stress: Adolescents’ Coping Processes Across Different Types of Stressful Online Experiences, 11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Kira Thiel
