NordMedia27 takes “Out of Order” as its conference theme. Hosted by the University of Helsinki, the conference will take place on 11–13 August 2027 and will focus on the role of media in discursive struggles over social imaginaries and moral orders.
In recent years, it has become increasingly common to describe our world as being caught in a web of interconnected and overlapping crises. The initial optimism surrounding globalisation, a rules-based international order, and interconnectedness is now being challenged by regressive conservatism, far-right populism, and rising authoritarianism – forces that promote exclusive nationalism and erode traditional epistemic authority. A pervasive sense of chaos, unpredictability, and existential uncertainty has become the new normal. Within these struggles over the global order, media and communication play a pivotal role.
Beyond structural and systemic dimensions, the concept of order also encompasses the cultural and symbolic aspects of human interaction. Geopolitical and societal transformations often take the form of discursive battles, where hegemonic and counter-hegemonic narratives compete to shape our collective imagination of societal coexistence. Drawing inspiration from philosopher Charles Taylor, we might ask whether our “social imaginaries” are undergoing a transition amid significant shifts in their underlying “moral order” – the foundation that has upheld Western ideals of sovereignty, freedom, and individuality for centuries. Signs of this transformation include the rise of synthetic media and artificial intelligence, the data-driven economy, the influence of social media algorithms, cyber-attacks, information warfare, media conglomeration and commercialisation, the erosion of the free press, and growing attacks on public service media.
The theme for Nordmedia27 invites scholars to reflect on a world that is “out of order” from multiple perspectives. First, “out of order” encourages us to acknowledge the roles media played in a previous era, which now appears to be behind us. Second, the phrase conveys a sense of chaos, where reliable and predictable structures have become increasingly elusive. Third, “out of order” invites us to consider the emerging order we anticipate or observe. What familiar patterns might re-emerge from the past? What new forces are shaping the future? And what roles will media play in this evolving landscape? Finally, “out of order” also points to a moment of contingency and possibility. Disruptions can open new doors and create opportunities for transformation. What role might media – and media research – play in imagining and shaping these possibilities?
In the light of ongoing global challenges, we invite Nordic media and communication scholars to share their insights on the role of media in the discursive struggles over social imaginaries and moral orders.
The Call for Papers will be released closer to the conference date.
About the NordMedia Conference
The NordMedia27 conference is set to take place on 11–13 August 2027, with a pre-conference for doctoral students scheduled for 10 August. This conference is being co-hosted by the University of Helsinki.
There will be a local organising committee and a Nordic academic committee that consists of the representatives of the national research associations from Sweden (FSMK), Finland (Mevi), Norway (NML), Denmark (SmiD), and Nordicom.
NordMedia is a biennial conference for Nordic media and communication researchers organised by the national Nordic media researcher associations together with Nordicom. It was organised in 1973 for the first time.
We kindly encourage you to monitor the NordMedia Conference homepage on our platform for forthcoming updates and further information regarding the conference.
Picture: Adobe Stock.