Cicant

📚 New special issue of Portuguese Studies edited by CICANT researcher Lurdes Macedo

A new special issue of the Q3-ranked journal Portuguese Studies, "Arts and Culture of Resistance in Lusophone Africa: 50 Years of Independence", has been published, co-edited by Lurdes Macedo (CICANT), Tom Stennett, and Elísio Macamo.

The issue brings together contributions from researchers across the world, including two articles by CICANT researchers Lurdes Macedo and Vanessa Ribeiro-Rodrigues, as well as an interview with the journal's founder, Helder Macedo, conducted by Nuno Bessa Moreira and Lurdes Macedo.

Read the full news here 👉 https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/27385-portuguese-studies-special-issue-edited-by-cicant-researcher-lurdes-macedo

📢 STORYline research shared at three international conferences

During June and July, the STORYline team presented key findings from its participatory research at three international conferences - the National and European Networks in Cultural Studies (RNEC), the 10th International Conference on Media Ethics, and the 19th IBERCOM Congress -, contributing to discussions on intergenerational citizenship, digital narratives, and media ethics.

These presentations highlight CICANT’s commitment to participatory research and international knowledge exchange in the fields of media, communication, and citizenship.

👏 Congratulations to the STORYline team! Read the full news here: https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/25956-storyline-international-conferences

📢 Call for papers - deadline extended:
There's still time to submit your proposal for the NewsArcade@Classroom European Conference 2026!

🗓️ New submission deadline: 29 July 2026

To make participation more accessible, authors whose proposals are accepted may now choose to present their work online. The conference itself will continue to take place in person at Lusófona University – Lisbon University Centre on 5–6 November 2026, bringing together researchers, teachers, educators, and professionals to discuss:

🎮 Gamification and game-based learning
📰 Media and news literacy
🌍 Education against disinformation and polarisation
💡 Digital literacy and pedagogical innovation
🤝 Co-creation, inclusion, and educational transformation

Also, accepted authors will have the opportunity to submit a full paper for a special issue of the International Journal of Games and Social Impact.

Remember the full news here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/21055-newsarcade-european-conference-2026

🤖 How is Artificial Intelligence transforming communication and media research?

Join the VI MeLCi Lab Autumn School 2026, taking place online from 10–13 November, organised by CICANT's MeLCi and AISIC Labs.

Whether you're a researcher, doctoral student, or academic interested in AI and media, this is an opportunity to develop new skills while critically engaging with one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

Read the full news here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/26135-melcilab-announces-vi-autumn-school-2026
& don't miss the application deadline 📆15 September

📸 Guest lecture by Nuno Borges de Araújo

Architect and photo historian Nuno Borges de Araújo delivered a guest lecture, organized by Early Visual Media Lab, to Photography students at Lusófona University, exploring the history of women in Portuguese professional photography (1844–1910).

Read the full news to discover the contributions of this session for our students here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/25777-guest-lecture-by-nuno-borges-de-araujo

🌍 MeLCi Lab at IMLRS 2026

Researchers from MeLCi Lab took part in the International Media Literacy Research Symposium (IMLRS) 2026, held in Rome, Italy, bringing together scholars from across Europe and beyond to discuss the latest developments in media literacy research.

Read the full news to discover the ideas shared by our researchers here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/25776-melci-lab-researchers-present-their-work-at-imlrs-2026-in-rome

🎭 Culture deserves a strong place in Europe's future.

CICANT is joining organisations from across Europe in supporting the campaign, advocating for culture to be explicitly recognised and adequately funded in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

Read the full news here 👉 newshttps://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/24363-cicant-supports-european-campaign-calling-for-a-strong-future-for-culture-in-the-eu-budget

📚 New publication

The special issue "Citizens' Perceptions of Media and Democracy across Europe" has been published in the Journal of Creative Communications, showcasing research developed within the MeDeMAP – Mapping Media for Future Democracies project.

Among the contributions is "Journalists and Audiences in Portugal: Dissonant Perceptions", co-authored by CICANT researchers Nuno Cintra Torres, Tatiana Chervykova, and Manuel José Damásio.

Read the full news here: https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/24187-cicant-researchers-contribute-to-international-special-issue-on-citizens-perceptions-of-media-and-democracy

📢 2nd Summer School of African Studies in Portuguese announced for 2026

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, Lusófona University will host the 2nd edition of the Summer School on Afro-descendants and African identities in post-colonial democracies.

📍 Lisbon | Porto | Braga
👥 Coordinated by Sheila Khan, Lurdes Macedo & Margarida Rendeiro

Read the full news here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/20707-second-summer-school-of-african-studies-in-portuguese-in-2026

Healing Nature brings murals to life through art 🎨 and augmented reality 📲

On 5 June, the Living Murals Workshop took place at Dona Estefânia Children’s Hospital as part of the European project Healing Nature.

Led by CICANT researcher Natalie Woolf and colleagues from Lusófona University, Hugo Barata and João Cabral, the workshop introduced healthcare professionals, children, and families to the interactive mural installations created within the project.

Using augmented reality technology through Artivive, participants explored animations embedded in the murals, transforming hospital spaces into engaging and creative environments.

Read the full news here 👉https://cicant.ulusofona.pt/agenda-news/news-events/20705-healing-nature-promotes-workshop-at-dona-estefania-hospital