Rome 2025

In recent years, the media industry has undergone profound transformations due to technological advancements, shifting consumer behavior, and growing societal awareness of environmental and ethical concerns (Chua, 2023; Nielsen & Ganter, 2022; Pérez-Seijo & Silva-Rodríguez, 2024). As a result, the need for sustainable and human-centered innovations has become more pressing than ever (Martini et al., 2024). This conference topic on Empowering Media through Sustainable and Human-Centered Innovations seeks to explore the role of media in driving positive change while highlighting the importance of responsible and inclusive practices that consider both environmental sustainability and human well-being. The focus on human-centered innovations is essential because media impacts individuals and communities on a deep level, influencing perceptions, behaviors, and societal norms. By prioritizing innovations that enhance human well- being, the media can foster a more ethical and equitable digital landscape, ensuring that technological advances are aligned with the needs and values of people.

The relationship between media and sustainability has emerged as a crucial area of focus, especially as the environmental impact of media production, distribution, and consumption becomes increasingly evident (Marks et al., 2020; Zulfiqar et al., 2023). From the carbon footprint of digital infrastructures to the waste generated by media hardware, the industry’s environmental toll is significant. Therefore, it is essential to explore strategies that reduce this impact, such as energy-efficient content delivery systems, sustainable material use, and eco-friendly production processes. By examining these practices, this conference call aims to encourage a shift towards more sustainable media operations that align with global efforts to combat climate change.

At the same time, media must also remain sensitive to the needs and experiences of its audiences. Human-centered innovation in media is key to ensuring that technology serves the interests of people rather than profit alone. This involves designing media technologies that are accessible, inclusive, and respectful of diverse user groups (Peruzzo & Allan, 2024). By focusing on human-centered design, the media industry can create experiences that prioritize user well- being, foster inclusivity, and enhance engagement. Examples include adaptive technologies for people with disabilities (Bricout et al, 2021), personalized content algorithms that promote diverse perspectives (Möller et al., 2020), and ethical approaches to data privacy and user experience (Saura et al., 2021).

Ethical media production across digital platforms, including social media, film, and streaming services, is crucial for empowering the media landscape through innovation. In an era where misinformation, sensationalism, and declining trust undermine both news and entertainment media, there is an increasing responsibility to ensure that digital content remains accurate, transparent, and socially responsible (Shahbazi & Bunker, 2024; Sorbán, 2021). Innovations in ethical practices, such as AI-driven fact-checking, collaborative content creation, and audience engagement through community-driven narratives, are vital for rebuilding public trust. These approaches help digital media organizations navigate the complexities of the modern digital ecosystem while upholding fairness, integrity, and accountability, ensuring that innovation is aligned with ethical standards. Moreover, sustainable media practices extend beyond production and distribution to include other elements of the business models that underpin the industry. Traditional advertising-driven models are increasingly being questioned for their environmental and social implications. As media organizations seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences and regulatory landscapes, there is a growing need for business models that prioritize sustainability, social responsibility, and long-term value creation (Comin et al., 2020; Lüdeke- Freund et al., 2020. This includes exploring subscription-based models, partnerships with environmental and social impact organizations, and new revenue streams that support sustainability goals.

Finally, the role of media in shaping social and cultural narratives cannot be overlooked. Media has the power to influence public discourse, shape cultural perceptions, and drive social change (Kreiss & McGregor, 2024). As such, innovative media practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to ensuring that all voices are represented in media content and that marginalized groups are empowered through media platforms. Whether through diverse hiring practices, inclusive content creation, or partnerships with advocacy groups, media organizations must embrace their role as drivers of positive social impact.

We invite all researchers and professionals to submit their work to the upcoming #emmarome conference to foster reflection, ignite creativity, and push the boundaries of how we envision the role of media in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. We encourage submissions that explore innovative approaches, transformative practices, and ethical considerations that will help propel the media industry forward.

To inspire your reflections, here are some guiding questions to consider:

• How can media organizations embed sustainability into their media production and distribution strategies to minimize environmental impact while maintaining creative and operational excellence?
• How can blockchain technology be applied to content distribution in film, TV, and streaming, while addressing its environmental impact and energy consumption?
• What innovative, human-centered technologies can be introduced to enhance the accessibility, inclusivity, and user-friendly experience of media platforms?
• How can media play a pivotal role in promoting social equity and diversity, ensuring that underrepresented voices are empowered through innovative content and service creation and distribution?
• What steps can the media industry take to evolve ethical journalism practices in an era of wide-spread disinformation and diminishing public trust?
• Which media business models can support sustainability and social responsibility without sacrificing profitability or creative freedom of media organizations?
• How can emerging technologies like AI, AR, or VR help media companies create more personalized, yet responsible, content that serves both users and the environment?
• How can cross-sector collaborations between media, technology, and environmental organizations drive innovation towards more sustainable and human-centered outcomes?
• What innovative approaches to media literacy can be developed to help audiences critically engage with media content and services in the digital age?
• How can media organizations balance innovation with responsibility to avoid the pitfalls of technological overreach, such as data privacy concerns and digital divide?
• How can media education be reimagined to equip future generations with the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex and digitally driven media landscape?

Abstract submission

Submissions for the #emmaRome conference are invited as paper proposals in the form of abstracts (500-750 words maximum excluding references) followed by a full paper ( 6000 words maximum excluding references) if the abstract is accepted.

The abstract should address the following evaluation criteria:

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

All abstract submissions will go through the process of double-blind peer review.

Deadline for abstract submission: 31 January 2025. The link will be provided in due course.

Full papers can be considered for the #emmaRome Best Paper Award (€300) only if they are submitted before 25 April 2025.

Further information

• Submissions must be in the format of the Journal of Media Business Studies (JOMBS). That is English, size 12 font, Times New Roman and double-line spacing.
• All paper submissions MUST include an ORCID number of the corresponding author. If you do not have one, please register at ORCID.
• #emmaRome will not incorporate a hybrid option for online paper presentations.

Special session submission

The #emmaRome conference also welcomes submissions for special thematic sessions that were successfully introduced at the 2024 conference. We further encourage the exploration of interactive and inventive session formats that ideally align with the conference’s overarching theme. Such sessions could for example touch upon:

(i)  methodological innovations or the plethora of media management methodologies in general,

(ii)  topics, methods, formats, and didactical issues in media management education,

(iii)  preparing for international collaboration in research (edited volumes, jointprojects),

(iv)  strategies and measures for the further development of emma as an organization(e.g. positioning of the association within various other academic communities, geographical growth, exploring new themes, launching new initiatives for specific stakeholders of the association or the association at large, activities together with the 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 ideally be no longer than 60 minutes with a maximum of 90 minutes on request. The suggested duration should be indicated in the proposal.
• At least 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 affiliations 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.