Call for Proposals for the 23rd Chinese Internet Research Conference (CIRC)
& Special Journal Issue "The Chinese Internet in the Era of Uncertainty"
The China Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
June 22-23, 2026
The China Institute at the University of Alberta is pleased to host the 23rd Chinese Internet Research Conference (CIRC) in Edmonton, Canada on June 22-23, 2026 in person.
Conference Theme "The Chinese Internet in the Era of Uncertainty"
The "Chinese Internet", from search engine and social media to e-commerce and AI, is an integral part of the global internet that has been continually reshaped by new technologies and evolving modes of communication with important economic, social, political and cultural implications. A focus on the Chinese Internet and its dynamics at this historical juncture is all the more important as the world we live in is undergoing profound macro changes that are both uncertainty-inducing and era-defining: technological transformations epitomized by recent AI development, economic instability embodied by unprecedented global debt, geopolitical shifts highlighted by the US-China rivalry and wars in Ukraine and Gaza, all taking place in an era of climate change, ongoing post-pandemic recovery, de-globalization and nationalism. At this pivotal moment, we ask the following questions:
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How have Chinese Internet users navigated heightened levels of uncertainty, politically, economically and socially?
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What can we learn by studying their adaptations to new challenges and opportunities for knowledge production (e.g., via AI) or responses to the emergence of new technologies, platforms, regulations or social mores, during an era characterized by uncertainty at both the individual and global level?
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How have Chinese Internet companies coped with heightened levels of uncertainty amidst rising geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains and new market opportunities?
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How have the Chinese state and institutions coped with and responded to technological, economic and geopolitical uncertainties in their approaches to governing the internet, AI and industrial policymaking?
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How is the Chinese Internet shaping and being shaped by transnational flows of technology, capital, cultural practices and infrastructural power?
The China Institute and the CIRC organizing committee encourage scholars worldwide to come to Edmonton to present research with the following characteristics, methods and tendencies:
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scholarship emphasizing lived experience as a criterion of knowledge and as a resource for theory building in contexts where existing theories may face declining explanatory power due to growing uncertainty;
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studies on vivid storytelling or viral moments that highlight individual agency, voice and mobilization during times of transformation and uncertainty;
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research on interaction among individual or group narratives in Chinese communication in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, as well as global diaspora communities during an era of uncertainty;
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methodological papers related to the study of unforeseen but pivotal real-world events;
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projects that disaggregate research of "the internet" or decolonize Sinophone internet spaces and communication studies within the broader Global South framework in an emerging multipolar world and the uncertainty that comes with it; and
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visions of technological and social futures that emerge from the Chinese digital ecosystem.
Keynote Speakers:
Two distinguished scholars will anchor our themed conference with the following keynotes:
"Of earthy flavor and AI flavor: On the importance of distinguishing flavors in an age of cyber artificiality and uncertainty"
"Certain (un)certainties and possible (im)possibilities: Creative stirrings and everyday politics in digital spaces"
Themed Special Journal Issue "The Chinese Internet in the Era of Uncertainty"
We plan to publish a special journal issue "The Chinese Internet in the Era of Uncertainty" based on outputs from the CIRC conference as well as general circulation of our special issue CfP. We target top-tier communication journals focused on mediated communication as well as Asia- and China-focused communication journals. Dr. Ashley Esarey (University of Alberta) and Dr. Min Jiang (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) will be co-editors of the special issue.
General Conference Topics:
In addition to the above themed topics, the organizers welcome a wide range of research on other subjects (as is traditional for CIRCs in years past) including but not limited to the following:
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histories of the Chinese Internet;
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studies of social media platforms, platformization, platform migration, cross-platform interaction, privacy, surveillance, misinformation;
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challenges resulting from AI use and platforms (e.g., trust, distrust, deepfake); AI impact on the environment, robots and automation, algorithms, autonomous decision-making;
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studies of digital labor, platform resistance, platform politics and nationalism;
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research on digital influencers, creators, fandom cultures, communities and identities (race, class, gender);
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research on the development of new platforms (e.g., smart cities), ownership structures, media concentration (e.g., antitrust policies) and user patterns (e.g., rural vs. urban);
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studies of Chinese Internet governance, industrial policy, AI policy, platform regulations, global (dis)integration and geopolitics.
Funding and Post-Conference Retreat:
The conference does not charge registration fees. We will cover two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners for all participants. In addition, for accepted student proposals, the China Institute will cover the cost of three nights' lodging on the University of Alberta campus. We also offer to cover transportation and subsidized lodging for a two-day post-conference retreat in the Canadian Rockies (Banff National Park) on June 24-25, 2026.
Proposal Submission Guidelines:
March 1, 2026: Paper proposals, or full panel proposals, should be submitted by this date. Submissions must be written in English and sent to editors at circ2026@ualberta.ca
Abstract: Individual or co-authored abstracts should be 500 or less words, excluding the title page and references. A title page should include the title of the paper, the name of the author/co-authors, academic/professional affiliation(s) and email address(es). The abstract should mention main arguments, research methods and summary of findings (or projected findings).
Panel proposal: Panel proposals are limited to 1,000 words, excluding the title page, references and appendices. They should propose a coherent panel consisting of 3-4 paper abstracts and one or more discussants. If you want further suggestions for organizing a panel, please email the conference host at circ2026@ualberta.ca
March 31, 2026: Notifications of successful proposals will be sent by this date. Notification of acceptance after the March 31, 2026 deadline is possible based on space availability due to withdrawals resulting from funding, health, visa and other travel contingencies.
June 8, 2026: Full versions of the accepted papers (8,000 words including references, figures and tables) should be submitted via email to circ2026@ualberta.ca or uploaded to the conference platform per conference instructions by this date.
July 31, 2026: Full papers (8,000 words including references, figures and tables) submitted for special journal issue peer review.
December 31, 2026: Peer review and revisions for special journal issue complete.
Graduate Student Paper Contest:
Two top papers by graduate students will receive cash prizes and recognition at the conference. To be eligible, papers must have the same format as normal conference submissions but be entirely authored or co-authored by graduate students (no faculty or postdoctoral co-authorship) and not yet accepted for publication by a scholarly journal at the time of submission to this conference. Contest winners will be notified on the final day of the conference (June 23, 2026). Should you wish to participate in the student paper contest, please submit your conference paper to circ2026@ualberta.ca with the subject heading "Student Paper Contest" by June 8, 2026.
Questions? Please email: circ2026@ualberta.ca