Center on Digital Culture and Society Symposium | “Good Vibes Only? How Affects and Emotions Are Mediated for Justice in Digital Culture”

Date: 09.04.2026 - 10.04.2026
Conference / symposium
Format: onsite
Location: Philadelphia, United States of America
Event Fee: Free

Organizer(s):
Center on Digital Culture and Society at the University of Pennsylvania

How are digital affects and emotions related to social movements, everyday activism and social justice work? What mediated forms do they take and how to study these mediated forms and practices? How might affect and emotion help us understand discourses related to digital tribalism, misinformation and disinformation in online spaces, and as an organizing force in the face of fascism and militarism? How might they be weaponized and with what consequences? Without drawing a strict line between affect and emotion, we welcome submissions which focus on either or both. We also welcome studies of specific kinds of digitally mediated affective/emotional practices, from depression and anxiety to anger and joy, and more. We particularly encourage empirical studies of affects and emotions in relation to digital activism and social justice struggles. Submissions from both early career and established researchers are welcome.

https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/news/call-abstracts-2026-cdcs-symposium

Post created by: Lymor Wolf Goldstein