Division Name: Climate Activism and Social Justice

Division Chair: Prof. Dr. Abida Ashraf

abida.ics@pu.edu.pk

Climate activism and social justice are entwined in the urgent pursuit of a sustainable future, not only for Pakistan but, for the globe. Climate activism encompasses a range of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change such as advocating for policies, grassroots movements, creating awareness through education, and promoting solutions. The idea acknowledges that the developing world and marginalized communities bear a disproportionate burden from climate change, such as extreme weather events, constant flood disasters (like Pakistan’s recent one in 2022 where one-third of the land was submerged), water scarcity, and disruptions in agriculture, highlighting its linkages with inequality and poverty. The concept of climate justice particularly recognizes the vulnerable communities who have contributed the least but are suffering the most from the climate crisis. It emphasizes empowering them in decision-making processes to address the issue, by prioritizing their education, representation, and participation, resulting in climate activism. This stream aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, media academics, influencers, subject experts, and scholars from around the world, particularly from Pakistan, to deliberate and reflect on the issue. You are invited to submit your abstract on any aspect of climate activism and social justice ensuring sustainable futures.

We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication, Health Communication, Risk & Crisis Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send an abstract of at least 500 words to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk.

Division Name: Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Class, & Climate Communication

Division Chair: Dr. Wajiha Raza Rizvi

wajiharaza@fulbrightmail.org

The Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Class, & Climate Communication division seeks academic research exploring the relationship between climate, as well as gender and communication, keeping in mind race, ethnicity or class themes. The authors may consider feminism, LGBTQIA+, inclusivity, dignity, equity, power relations, identity, labor, health, violence, rights, social change, activism, media production, and culture represented in a specific form of media.

We will accept contributions with or without a tight empirical and/or philosophical perspective.

We welcome submissions on any topic involving gender, race, ethnicity, class, climate communication, and media. However, we will give special consideration to paper, panel, and poster proposals that examine the connection between gendered ethnicity, race, or class and the central conference theme, Climate and Communication.

We would like to encourage scholars to tackle the intersections of gender, race, class, and ethnicity with media and communication. Themes without any confinement include:

• Ecofeminism
• Ethnicity and gender
• Gender, race, and climate
• Gender, class, and climate
• Gender, ethnicity, and climate
• Gender and interculturalism
• Gender, mobility, and social participation
• Gender and economic implications of climate change
• Gender and social movements in climate change

We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication, Health Communication, Risk & Crisis Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send an abstract of at least 500 words to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk.

Division Name: Decolonizing Climate Narratives: Justice, Equity, and Global Responsibility

Division Chair: Dr. Saadia Ishtiaq Nauman

saadia_nauman@fjwu.edu.pk

The International Communication Association (ICA) Regional Conference invites scholarly contributions for the section on ‘Decolonizing Climate Narratives: Justice, Equity, and Global Responsibility,’ nestled within the broader context of ‘Climate and Communication.’ Scheduled to convene at Forman Christian College University, Lahore, on December 5th – 6th, 2024. This section seeks innovative research and presentations challenging established narratives on climate change, framing discussions through the prisms of justice, equity, and global responsibility.

We welcome submissions exploring indigenous perspectives on climate change, investigating environmental activism through a decolonial lens, advocating ethical communication strategies for fostering a just climate transition and global collaborative efforts to combat climate injustices. This discourse aims to deconstruct prevailing hegemonic narratives, redress power imbalances, and amplify marginalized voices within the realm of climate communication.

 Join us in reshaping global climate conversations, empowering marginalized communities, fostering interdisciplinary dialogues, challenging systemic inequalities, and collectively forging inclusive pathways toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Together, let us pioneer the transformation of the global narrative on climate change, ushering in a future anchored in justice, equity, and responsible global stewardship.

We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication/Health Communication/Risk & Crises Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send at least 500 words long abstract to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk 

Division Chair: Dr. Qurratulaen Liaqat

qurratulaen@fccollege.edu.pk

Co-Chair: Dr. Syed Muhammad Saqib Saleem

syedsaqib@fccollege.edu.pk

How can communication contribute to fostering awareness of climate-induced hazards among diverse populations? What role does climate journalism play in cultivating an audience appetite for news related to climate change? In what ways can communication-driven activism contribute to remedial measures for environmental justice? How can global and local scholarly communities collaborate to alleviate the disproportionate impact of global warming on the global south? How can communication strategies be effectively employed to bring about meaningful changes in addressing environmental concerns? The Environmental Communication division of the International Communication Association’s (ICA) Regional Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, intends to find answers to these questions and further raise questions about the interconnection between environmental communication and journalism.

Aligned with the overarching theme of ‘Climate and Communication,’ we seek original scholarly contributions that delve into the critical intersections of environmental issues and communication strategies. However, we welcome any paper or panels that investigate issues related to the role of communication in raising awareness about environmental concerns. Abstracts (maximum length 500 words) are invited for individual papers and panels on the following themes:

• Environmental communication
• Climate journalism
• Communication for climate awareness
• Environmental literature
• Environmental advocacy
• Social justice-driven activism
• Global and local collaboration
• Effective communication for change
• Biodiversity and nature communication
• Global warming and climate change
• Waste management
• Sustainable development
• Environmental interpretation
• Environmental disasters
• Environmental conservation
• Environmental ethics
• Environmental education

We encourage submissions that will stimulate debates, motivate scholars, and foster collaborations for a sustainable future. The Environmental Communication stream embraces a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation. Join us in advancing the discourse on environmental communication within the broader context of climate change.

We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Environmental Communication/Health Communication/Risk & Crises Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, please be sure that your abstract is at least 500 words long.

Division Chair: Dr. Sayyed Fawad Shah

fawad.shah@auburn.edu

The Health Communication division of the International Communication Association’s (ICA) Regional Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, invites the submission of proposals for papers and panels. Consistent with the main conference theme, we are specifically interested in papers and panels at the intersection of Climate and Health in the Global South. However, we welcome any paper or panel that investigate issues related to the role of communication in reducing health disparities. Abstracts (maximum length 500 words) can be submitted that reflect on the following topics:

• Decolonizing health communication
• Climate change and public health
• Conflict, climate, and health
• Digital technologies and health communication
• Community based participatory research in health communication
• Communicating health in the age of artificial intelligence
• Culture-centred approaches to health communication
• Indigenous knowledge and methods in health communication
• Vaccine communication
• Intercultural health communication

We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication/Health Communication/Risk & Crises Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send at least 500 words long abstract to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk 

Division Name: Risk & Crises Communication

Division Chair: Dr. Anam Muzamill

anammuzamill@fccollege.edu.pk

The International Communication Association (ICA) Regional Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, invites papers on Risk and Crisis Communication’s association with Climate Change for the ICA’s Regional Convention to be held in Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore on December 5th- 6th, 2024. The scholarly collaborations, exchange of ideas and critical reviews in the area of risk and crisis communication are very crucial to the environmental challenges and climate change discourse. Your submissions are encouraged for the event; the sub-theme of the conference revolves around the following objectives:

• Assessing the role of risk and crisis communication in preventing, mitigating and coping with the influence of climate change
• Determining the emerging trends in risk and crisis communication and community engagement in climate change threats and hazards
• Understanding the relation of communication and risk perception regarding extreme weather disasters
• Exploring the global and regional practices of risk and crisis communication, sustainability and climate action
• Defining response strategies, ethical responsibility and capacity building needs, in the area of risk and crisis communication, and climate change

We are looking forward to reading your submissions. We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication/Health Communication/Risk & Crises Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send at least 500 words long abstract to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk

Division Name: Science Communication

Division Chair: Dr. Shafiq Ahmad

shafiq.ics@pu.edu.pk

In the era of the climate crisis, global southern societies lack awareness of scientific causes behind climate change-induced calamities, often attributing them to divine punishments. Governments exploit this ignorance, advancing dirty energy solutions and expanding industries (plastic, livestock, agriculture) without eco-friendly practices. Effective science communication in the Global South is crucial for national, regional, and global development. However, our understanding of its nuances and impacts on public engagement with climate policies remains limited. This call for papers encourages scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to contribute their insights to advance our understanding of the crucial role science communication plays in addressing climate challenges in the Global South. We look forward to submissions on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Partnerships between local/global scientists, science communicators, and media outlets to enhance climate/environmental literacy
• Collaboration between science communicators and social media influencers to engage the public in climate action
• Problems in contemporary climate science journalism practices and possible solutions
• Science fairs/exhibitions to increase public understanding of climate change/environmental degradation
• Climate science communication and science diplomacy for the benefit of humanity
• Climate science communication and youth activism
• Science communication, Indoor pollution, and vulnerable communities
• Evaluation of the impact of environmental awareness campaigns

 We invite presentations in three formats: (i) individual paper presentation, (ii) panel presentation, and (iii) poster presentation. The deadline for proposal submission is March 18, 2024. Please clearly mention the division (e.g., Science Communication/Health Communication/Risk & Crises Communication, etc.) for your abstract(s). Also, we ask you to send at least 500 words long abstract to ica.pakistan@fccollege.edu.pk