About
Beyond Information: Affective Strategies for Impactful Media and Quality of Life
From climate change awareness to political engagement, media have always played an essential role in giving people the tools to make informed decisions to potentially enhance their quality of life and that of their communities. However, in an era where multiple layers of content and information from different sources and players coexist, it can be challenging to develop shared visions for improved quality of life and change oneself, communities, cities, the environment, and governments for the better. Emotion and affect are powerful tools to bridge this gap, capturing attention and inspiring engagement with critical quality-of-life issues.
This workshop explores the intersection of affect, emotion, and media in addressing contemporary societal challenges with impacts on well-being and the good life, focusing on quality-of-life topics such as healthy media use, climate action, equity, democracy, mobility, and responsible cities, among others. We welcome interdisciplinary approaches that combine media and communication studies with psychology, sociology, political science, and other relevant fields. Presentations may address, but are not limited to:
- Theoretical frameworks and empirical approaches for understanding affect in media communication;
- Empirical studies on the impact of affect and emotion in news dissemination and reception;
- Case studies of successful or failed affective strategies in, e.g., journalism, PR, advertisement, political campaigns, or influencer relationships;
- Ethical considerations in leveraging emotion for media engagement;
- Expressions of affect and emotion in visual communication
- Affect, emotions, and the role of algorithms and AI;
- Innovative methodologies for measuring and analyzing emotional responses to media content.
- Historical analyses of affect and emotion in media and their impact on society.
Location & Date: NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA FCSH), Av. de Berna Campus
5 and 6 June 2025
Submission deadline: 28 February 2025
Submit an abstract (only in English) of no more than 300 words (excl. bibliography) by 28 February 2025 to dorasantossilva@fcsh.unl.pt
One file should contain no identifying information on the authors (only abstract proposal and respective title), as each abstract will be subjected to peer review. In addition, we request authors to submit – in a separate file – the title of the abstract, the authors and affiliations (plus a short bio). Notification of acceptance/rejection will be given by 10 March.
Members and non-members of ECREA are equally welcome to submit an abstract. Proposals from PhD students and early career researchers are especially encouraged. A registration fee of €90 for researchers and €25 for PhDs students will, as of now, be required. This value includes two days of lunches and coffee breaks.
Useful information
Where and when will the workshop be held?
The workshop will take place from February 1st to 3rd, at NOVA FCSH – Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA University of Lisbon – School of Social Sciences and Humanities) at the Avenida de Berna Campus in Tower B: auditorium B1 (floor 1).
How do you get to NOVA FCSH Campus?
NOVA FCSH (Campus Av. de Berna) is located in the heart of Lisbon, in the parish of Avenidas Novas, between Campo Pequeno and Praça de Espanha, in an area with several cultural facilities.
- Airport (about 15 minutes from the college): Portela (connections to red line metro, buses and taxis/ TVDE).
- Train: Entrecampos station (suburban line); intercity: Oriente or Santa Apolónia stations (there are connections to the subway through the red and blue lines, respectively)
- Metro: exits from Campo Pequeno (yellow line) or, a few minutes further on, exits from Praça de Espanha (blue line) and São Sebastião (blue/red lines)
- Buses: 716, 726, 746 and 756.
- Bicycle: there are two-way bike lanes. You can place your bicycle inside the campus. There are also several Gira bicycle docks near the campus.
- Cab / TVDE (Uber, Bolt, etc.): Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas – Universidade NOVA de Lisboa or FCSH Av. de Berna, 26 C, 1069-061 Lisboa
What accommodations are near by?
We suggest some hotels near NOVA FCSH, up to four stars. These are just suggestions (we do not earn any commissions).
- Luzeiro Suites – 3* | 500m – 7m walk from NOVA FCSH
- VIPP Inn Bern Hotel – 3* | 650m – 8m walk from NOVA FCSH
- SANA Reno Hotel – 3* | 700m – 10m walk from NOVA FCSH
- Hotel Príncipe Lisbon – 3* | 700m – 10m walk from NOVA FCSH
- Ibis Lisbon Jose Malhoa Hotel – 2* | 1,2 km – 15 minutes walking distance from NOVA FCSH
- Hotel White Lisboa – 3* | 1,1km – 15m walk from NOVA FCSH
What cultural experiences are there near the Campus?
In the Avenidas Novas area, where NOVA FCSH is located, you will find a wide cultural offer. We leave you some suggestions within 15m walking distance:
- Culturgest – programming in the areas of theater, dance, music, cinema and visual arts
- Campo Pequeno – movie theaters
- Galveias Palace Library
- Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation – museum, gardens and music programming
- Medeia Nimas Cinema
- El Corte Inglés – movie theaters
- Theater Aberto
Organization
Dora Santos Silva
Gabriela Ferreira
Dominique Wirz
Manuel Menke
OPEN CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
