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Call for Papers

14th Conference of the Media Psychology Division (DGPs) in Duisburg 2025

We are pleased to announce the upcoming conference of the Division “Media Psychology” of the German Psychological Association (DGPs), which will take place on September 10-12 2025 in Duisburg, Germany, hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen and Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS). This conference is a key event for all national and international researchers in the field of digital and media psychology, offering a platform for the presentation and discussion of the latest research findings, theoretical advancements, and practical applications.

For this year's conference, we welcome submissions that cover the breadth of topics within the field of media psychology. As the hosting Department of Human-Centered Computing and Cognitive Science, we particularly invite submissions that have the focus theme 

Changing Media Environments as Facilitators for Learning?

Witnessing the transformative power of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, we are especially interested in submissions that present theoretical approaches, empirical evidence and/or normative positions on how technology can be a facilitator of modern forms of education. Likewise, we welcome contributions that identify when technology can inhibit the development, expansion, and consolidation of (new) knowledge and skills.

We encourage submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• The transformative influence of generative AI on learning processes
• Social media interactions facilitating knowledge acquisition and skill development
• New forms of media literacy and digital competencies
• Psychological effects of virtual and augmented reality applications for education
• Informal education through technology and media
• Ethical considerations in the use of ICTs for educational purposes

Submissions

The conference invites several types of submissions which can address the conference topic or more media psychological research in general (i.e., not related to the conference theme):

POSITION PAPERS & THEORETICAL PAPERS (1000 words)

Position papers and theoretical contributions will be presented in plenary talks. These presentations should cover a current topic in media psychology and be of broad interest to the research community. This could include systematic reviews or meta-analyses, but also advances in theoretical work, or new approaches to describe and understand the available literature in a given field. For position papers please submit an extended abstract of 1000 words max.

RESEARCH REPORTS (300 words)

Research reports present one or more empirical studies. You should provide (1) a brief description of the theoretical background, (2) research questions, and (3) a summary of the methodological approach. Please do not include any results of your study in the submission. Submissions will be judged on quality of theory and methods, not results. However, participants are expected to present their results at the conference.

POSTER (300 Words)

Like Research Reports a Poster presents one or more empirical studies. Submissions should include (1) a brief description of the theoretical background, (2) research questions, and (3) a summary of the methodological approach. Please do not include any results of your study in the submission. Submissions will be judged on quality of theory and methods, not results. However, participants are expected to present their results at the conference.

MEDIA PSYCH DEBATE CLUB: Topics and Speakers (1000 words max)

Submissions should include potential debate topics in the domain of media psychology in the form of short (and potentially provocative) statements (such as “Reading comics is harmful to minors!”) that can be discussed from two opposing positions (e.g., pro/contra). Notably, submissions may indicate which position the speaker would prefer to represent during the debate, or, alternatively be randomly assigned to represent one of them. At the conference, both speakers then give some prepared remarks and get to reply to the statements made by their discussion partner. Submissions can be made jointly by two speakers who would like to debate each other, or individually, in which case the conference organizers will facilitate the search for a discussion partner. Submissions (1000 words) must include two competing hypotheses or contrary lines of thought to outline the nature of the debate. The selected contribution will be published in the CAIS Podcast CAISzeit.

FULL PAPERS - JMP SPECIAL SELECTION PANEL (4000 words max) 

In collaboration with the Journal of Media Psychology (JMP), MediaPsych25 will offer a special selection panel aimed at providing space for early career scholarship. Papers accepted for this panel are automatically considered a “Revise and Resubmit” for JMP, meaning that the papers will be given full publication consideration with the journals, using the conference feedback as initial peer review. Interested scholars are invited to submit short full papers (i.e., Research Reports) on topics relevant to media psychology—preferably, of course, on the conference theme—that meet the JMP author guidelines (PDF). These reports may contain up to 4,000 words (including abstract, text, references, notes, appendices, and an allowance for any tables and figures). Members of the DGPs experienced in reviewing journal submissions will serve as reviewers for the initial conference submission as well as the revised manuscript for JMP publication. Submitted papers accepted for the panel, will be considered a “Revise and Resubmit” for JMP and transferred to the journal for final peer review, after the conference concludes. Submissions are restricted to non-tenure or early career first-authors (co-authors can be more senior researchers as well). Submissions not selected for the JMP Special Selection Panel which are still considered as valuable contributions to the conference by the reviewers might be placed in other panels/poster sessions.

PHD WORKSHOP (PDF version)

The conference will be preceded by a Workshop for PhD students of Media Psychology, organized by Sabine Trepte and German Neubaum. The workshop will take place on the first day of the conference (10 September) at the conference venue at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Tectrum. All PhD students working on topics from media psychology and related areas are welcome to apply – especially students who are pursuing an academic career after their dissertations. As part of this workshop, participants will work on their individual presentation and writing skills, discuss their PhD projects, receive advice on career planning, and will have the opportunity for networking. The entire workshop will be held in English and includes intensive group work and mentoring. Informal applications should include a short motivation letter, a CV, and a brief description of the dissertation topic (in English).

Please send these files electronically to

german.neubaum@uni-due.de

The application deadline is 1 June, 2025.

Submission and Review Procedure

All submissions have to be uploaded via ConfTool and will undergo a peer-review process. Each author may submit and present only one contribution as first author (Debate Club submissions do not count toward this limit); additional contributions as co-author are welcome. All first authors must serve as reviewers for two other submissions.

Important Dates:

• Submission system opens on January 2, 2025
• Abstract Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: April 1, 2025
• Early Bird Registration Deadline: July 1, 2025

Contact Information:

For further information, please visit our website (https://www.uni-due.de/media-psych-2025/) or contact the conference organizers at mediapsych2025@uni-due.de. 

Organizing Committee:

Luna Frauhammer, University of Duisburg-Essen

Jana Dreston, University of Duisburg-Essen

Josephine B. Schmitt, Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), Bochum

German Neubaum, University of Duisburg-Essen