Case Study: International Media and Communication Research Conference
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre hosted one of the world’s biggest communication conferences from 30 June-4 July 2024, putting Indigenous knowledge at the centre of communication research. The prestigious International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference brought together 1,300 international delegates from over 61 different countries.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) hosted the conference in collaboration with local iwi, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and senior academics from seven New Zealand universities. The conference was organised by the dedicated and knowledgeable team from Conference Innovators.
UC Professor Donald Matheson, Chair of the Local Organising Committee, says IAMCR 2024 has put Ōtautahi Christchurch and Aotearoa New Zealand on the map and will lead to further research projects and other valuable connections.
The event utilised every room and space at Te Pae Christchurch during the 4 day conference. In addition, multiple venues and city hotels hosted sessions including Crowne Plaza Christchurch, Distinction Christchurch Hotel, Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, and Tūranga Christchurch Library, with social events taking place at hospitality spaces including Riverside Market.
Whiria te tāngata | Weaving people together
Media and communication research explores the influence and impact of the media and new information technology. It shows how communication and media work in a broader social context.
The theme of IAMCR 2024 was Whiria te tangata | Weave the people together: Communicative projects of decolonising, engaging, and listening – the strength that comes through common purpose. It invites reflection on the terms and models appropriate to describe contemporary communication, including the political and moral goals embedded in them.
Partnership in knowledge-making
Keynote speakers included Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Distinguished Professor at Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi), who is a global authority on indigenous methods in the social sciences, and Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University), one of New Zealand’s leading Pacific scholars and researcher.
Connecting young Pacific researchers with school students was a focus of the conference, supported by UNESCO’s New Zealand National Commission.
“A major scholarly topic in our field is decolonising communication and Ōtautahi Christchurch is a perfect place to do that. It makes our academic commitment to partnership in knowledge-making real. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre with its striking Te Ngutu (ceremonial entranceway) and strong cultural narrative of connecting with place, adds to that,” Professor Matheson says.
Early-career focused conference
IAMCR 2024 was a conference of emerging scholars, with about 40 percent of participants still doing their research degrees. This added energy and ensured there were many new ideas discussed.
There were awards and grants for participating members including 25 travel grants, excellence awards for papers on climate change communication, urban communication, or rural communication services.
“We are all working through many of the same issues, including the pace of technological change, questions of trust in communicators, the way communication reinforces inequality between rich and poor, the role that communication can play in global challenges such as climate justice, public health and safeguarding the fragile structures of democracy,” Professor Matheson says.
Reducing environmental impact
The conference had a strong focus on reducing its environmental impact and also prioritised accessibility for all.
Activities included planting trees at a scenic regeneration wetland, an urban walk with a local guide (kaumatua) to learn about the partnership between the tribe and the city in rebuilding the city centre, media art exhibitions and more. In addition, there was a strong focus on incorporating plant-based menu items, reducing unnecessary printing and waste management during the conference.
“Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is in the central city, so participants were able to walk to and from their accommodation. Te Pae has a small environmental footprint itself and has been certified carbon net zero, with a wide range of sustainability initiatives in place. During the conference, we had volunteer ‘eco-angels’ walking the floor, advising delegates on steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint and they were handing out tickets to the heritage (electric) tram as spot prizes,” Professor Matheson says.
