COMMUNICATING FUTURES 2027
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SYMPOSIUM
On Media, Education, Technology, Creativity and Society
Reimagining Media Education in Kerala
28th–29th January 2027
About Communicating Futures 2027
Communicating Futures 2027: International Media Symposium on Media, Education, Technology, Creativity and Society is a professional and research initiative by SH School of Communication to develop an evidence-based Kerala Framework for Media Education.
Established in 2012, SH School of Communication has been part of a media landscape that has transformed dramatically over the past fourteen years. The emergence of social media, platform economies, streaming technologies, artificial intelligence and generative media has changed not only how content is produced and consumed, but also how media professionals learn, work and participate in society.
As these changes reshape the creative and communication industries, media education must move beyond preparing students for existing professional roles. It must equip a new generation to understand technology, question structures of power, create imaginatively, research rigorously and communicate responsibly.
The symposium is conceived as an international platform bringing together academics, researchers, journalists, filmmakers, designers, animators, media entrepreneurs, technologists, students and policymakers. It seeks to create meaningful conversations between media practice, research, technology, education and public policy. It will explore emerging professional possibilities, examine the changing relationship between education and employment, and consider how institutions can prepare students for media industries that are still evolving.
More than an academic conference, Communicating Futures 2027 seeks to initiate a larger conversation about what media education in Kerala should become.
Plenary Speakers - NTAC 2027
About SH School of Communication
SH School of Communication (SHSC), established in 2012, is the media and communication wing of Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Thevara, Kochi. It brings together four complementary disciplines: Journalism, Cinema and Television, Animation, and Graphic Design. The School offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to combine academic learning with professional and creative practice. Its educational philosophy emphasises innovation, imaginative action and professional responsibility, supported by hands-on training, project-based learning and individual mentorship. Through internships, industry interactions, field visits, workshops and media related events, students gain exposure to the changing professional landscape. With an active alumni network and a commitment to research and social engagement, SHSC seeks to nurture media practitioners who can contribute creatively and responsibly to society.
Objectives
Re-examine the philosophy, purpose and direction of media education in the context of technological and industrial transformation.
Create an interdisciplinary platform connecting media practice, academic research, creative industries and emerging technologies.
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence, platform economies and digital transformation for media professions.
Encourage collaboration between academic institutions, media organisations, creative practitioners and industry professionals.
Provide opportunities for young researchers, students and emerging practitioners to present innovative ideas and creative work.
Examine the relationship between media education, employability, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
Initiate an evidence-based, state-level action research process towards developing a Kerala Framework for Media Education.
Encourage responsible, inclusive and democratic approaches to media and communication.
Thematic Areas
Rethinking Media Education
Curriculum transformation, interdisciplinary learning, pedagogical innovation, assessment practices and the Kerala framework.
Technology, Convergence and Creative Practice
Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital platforms, media convergence, and new practices in cinema, television, animation, design and gaming.
Industry, Employability and Professional Futures
Industry–academia relationships, future skills, employability, entrepreneurship, workplace culture, well-being and emerging career pathways.
Media, Culture and Democratic Society
Journalism, media literacy, cultural representation, regional and indigenous knowledge, ethics and democratic participation.
Sustainable and Inclusive Media Futures
Sustainable production, accessibility, inclusion, responsible innovation and regional media development.
The Kerala Framework for Media Education
- Purpose and philosophy of media education
- Media education and democracy
- Curriculum and interdisciplinary learning
- Knowledge, skills and creative practice
- Research and practice-based research
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
- Industry–academia relationships
- Employment and employability
- Entrepreneurship and creative industries
- Professional ethics and responsibility
- Purpose and philosophy of media education
- Media education and democracy
- Curriculum and interdisciplinary learning
- Knowledge, skills and creative practice
- Research and practice-based research
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
- Industry–academia relationships
- Employment and employability
- Entrepreneurship and creative industries
- Professional ethics and responsibility
The Guiding Vision
KNOW – CREATE – CRITIQUE – COMMUNICATE
The future media professional must be able to create with imagination and technical competence, research with curiosity and rigour, critique the structures of power within media and technology, innovate in response to changing industries, collaborate across disciplines and communicate responsibly in a democratic society.
Communicating Futures 2027 is founded on the conviction that media education must prepare people not merely to enter media industries, but to shape them. From Practice to Research. From Research to Dialogue. From Dialogue to Policy. From Policy to Transformation.
A State-Level Action Research Initiative
Towards a Kerala Framework for Media Education
One of the central ambitions of Communicating Futures 2027 is to initiate a state-level action research process towards developing a future Media Education Policy Framework for Kerala.
Kerala has a significant ecosystem of media education institutions, journalism organisations, cinema, design, animation and digital content industries. However, there is a growing need to understand whether existing educational systems adequately prepare students for the changing realities of media professions.
This initiative proposes an evidence-based approach that brings together the experiences of educators, students, alumni, young professionals, industry representatives and policymakers. The process will begin with two complementary research exercises.
Our Sponsors
Call for Papers
Communicating Futures 2027 invites original research papers from scholars, academicians, media educators, students, researchers and media industry professionals exploring the changing relationships between media, education, technology, creativity and society.
The symposium encourages interdisciplinary inquiry, critical scholarship and practice-based research that contribute to reimagining media education and shaping sustainable, inclusive and responsible media futures.
Submission Guidelines
Authors are invited to submit abstracts containing the following information:
- Abstract of up to 300 words
- Title of the paper
- Name(s) of author(s)
- Institutional affiliation
- Email address
- Five to seven keywords
- Thematic area
- Brief author profile of 100 words
Abstract submission email: ims.shsc@shcollege.ac.in
Important Dates
Registration
Registration fees are in Indian Rupees (INR).
| Delegate Category | National In-Person | National Online | International In-Person | International Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Scholars / Students | 1,000 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2,500 |
| Faculty / Academicians / Media Educators | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 3,000 |
| Professionals / Media Industry Experts | 2,000 | 2,500 | 3,000 | 3,500 |
Participation only (no paper presentation): ₹500
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Closed on 23rd October 2024, 5:00 PM.
Organisers
- Mr.Babu Joseph, Director (Chairperson)
- Fr. Antony Pallathipparambil CMI, Deputy Director (Vice Chairperson)
- Mr.Kishore Kumar P, Dean – Academics (General Coordinator)
- Fr. Dr.Shinto, Consultant, Media Research
- Mr.Belbin P Baby, Head of Department, Journalism and Mass Communication
- Mr.Francis Xavier, Head of Department, Animation
- Mr.Ambu S, Head of Department, Cinema and Television
- Mr. Shekhar Pankajakshan, Head of Department, Graphic Design
- Dr.Asha Achy Joseph, Coordinator, Research – SHSC (General Convenor)
- Ms.Jeeva K J
- Fr. Paul Muriath CMI
- Mr Jordin Mathew
- Mr. Ajay K Jose
- Ms.Shanthi Mathai
- Dr.Minna Ann Andrews
- Ms.Sangeetha P S
- Mr.Abhilash K
- Dr. Meera U Menon
- Dr.Ann Jacob
- Mr. Anoop K B
- Mr. Abhilash G
- Ms.Malu Mohan
- Mr.Santhosh K
- Ms.Nandana P S
- Ms.Tess Mary Thomas
- Ms.Asmi Rasool Khan
- Ms.Shilpa Anil
- Mr.Bibin Thomas
- Mr.Saravanan V K
- Ms.Elizabeth Xavier, Administrator
- Mr.Aqul Pawan, Student Representative, Cinema and Television
- Mr.Immanuel, Student Representative, Graphic Design
- Mr.Eben Varghese, Student Representative, Animation
- Ms.Akhila Binoj, Student Representative, Journalism and Mass communication
Contact Details
All correspondence shall be addressed to Email: ims.shsc@shcollege.ac.in
Phone: +91 81380 59721 | +91 97466 45954
Communicating Futures 2027 – International Media Symposium
SH School of Communication
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)
Thevara, Kochi – 682013
Kerala, India