emma 2026: Media Protecting Democracy and Building Trust in a Divided and Fragmented World LUT University Lappeenranta, Finland, May 27-29, 2026

emma 2026 Conference: “Media Protecting Democracy and Building Trust in a Divided and Fragmented World”

emma 2026 seeks submissions that explore how media systems and its actors (public or private, legacy or emergent) can be managed, structured, and governed to protect both economic sustainability and democratic integrity. We welcome conceptual frameworks, empirical studies, comparative system analyses, policy proposals, business model evaluations, experimental interventions, and practitioner reflections that illuminate pathways toward resilient and mission-driven media in an age of fragmentation and AI disruption.

Exemplary topics include (but are not limited to):

• Sustainable business models and revenue diversification that protect editorial independence
• AI integration, productivity, and governance in news and creative industries
• Trust repair, credibility metrics, and audience engagement
• Organizational resilience under political, economic, or technological pressure
• Platform power, media ownership, consolidation, and pluralism
• Audience analytics and personalization: balancing data-driven strategies with editorial integrity
• Entrepreneurial and independent journalism in democratic ecosystems
• Public service media in digital transformation
• Crisis management and sustainability metrics for media institutions
• Comparative regulatory approaches to platforms, AI, and media sustainability
• Cross-industry lessons from cultural and creative sectors (e.g. film and streaming) facing disruption through platforms and generative AI

In addition to the conference theme, we encourage contributions from all aspects of media management for an inclusive and open conference.

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

REGULAR SESSION SUBMISSION  

Abstract submission: deadline 18 January 2026

Submissions for the emma conference are invited as paper proposals in the form of abstracts (500-750 words excluding references) followed by a full paper (8000 words maximum) if the abstract is accepted.Deadline for full paper submissions is 30 April 2026.

The abstract should address the following evaluation criteria:

• Introduction: problematization, research purpose, context, and empirical phenomenon (practical and social relevance, connections), and relevance to media management scholarship (theoretical relevance)
• Methodology: overview of key scientific methods employed, analytical steps, and reflections of data
• Tentative results: summary of (expected) results, findings, outcomes
• Tentative contributions: Theoretical contribution, practical implications

All submissions will go through the process of double-blind peer review by experts nominated to the conference’s Scientific Committee. Full papers are considered for the emma2026 Best Paper Award only if they are submitted by the deadline for full papers.

Submissions must be in the format of the Journal of Media Business Studies. That is English, size 12 font, Times New Roman and double-line spacing.

Please note that emma 2026 will not incorporate a hybrid option for online paper presentations.

Full papers are considered for the #emmalappeenranta Best paper Awards only if they are submitted by 30 April 2026 (the deadline for full papers).

SPECIAL SESSION SUBMISSION: deadline 18 January 2026

The emma conference welcomes submissions for special thematic sessions. We encourage the exploration of interactive and inventive session formats. Such sessions could for example touch upon (i) methodological innovations or the plethora of media management methodology in general, (ii) topics, methods, formats, and didactical issues in media management education, (iii) preparing for international collaboration in research (edited volumes, joint projects), (iv) strategies and measures for the further development of emma as an organization (geographical growth and alongside with it new themes e.g. at the frontiers of Europe), (v) launching systematic foresight activities together with European media industry possibly in the context of emma. These sessions will be slotted as concurrent offerings within the conference schedule.

To guide your special session proposals, please adhere to the following set of guidelines:

• The session's duration should span 90 minutes
• A minimum of four participants, originating from a minimum of two distinct universities and/or institutions, must be included in the application. It is essential that all participants commit to being available throughout the entire conference program.
• The proposal should be submitted by a designated session chair, who will assume responsibility for all facets of the sub-session, including coordination during the conference and acting as the corresponding author.
• Proposals for special thematic sessions should not exceed a word limit of 1250 (excluding references) and should include a narrative supporting the relevance and novelty of the topic and the relation to the conference theme.
• When the submission system asks for author information, please enter only the name and affiliation of the session chair, not the names of the other authors or contributors, these should be added to the proposal text.
• Special session proposals will undergo a peer review process. Please note that this review will not be conducted blindly. Instead, it will focus on evaluating the session's alignment with the conference theme, the relevance of the proposed topic, as well as the quality and novelty of the session's concept.

Overview of Important Dates

• 14 November 2025 - Online submission opens
• 18 January 2026 - Deadline for submissions (abstract and special sessions)
• 27 February 2026 - Notification of acceptance; opening of conference registration; opening of full paper submissions
• 30 April 2026 - Deadline for both full paper submissions to be considered for Best Paper Award and submissions for the Paper Development Workshop
• 30 April 2026 - Closing of Conference Registration
• 27 May 2026 - PhD Workshop, Paper Development Workshop, and evening reception
• 28-29 May 2026 - emma 2026 Annual Conference
• 30 May 2026 - Social post-conference activities

Note: The date for submissions for the PhD Workshop will be announced later.

Conference Venue

The emma conference 2026 will take place at LUT University in Lappeenranta, Finland. For more information about the venue and how to get to #emmalappeenranta, please visit the conference website.

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to emma2026@lut.fi.