Go Mobile, Stay Smart
The Mobile Studies Congress (MSC), a renowned annual international event, is excited to announce its fifth edition, scheduled for November 16-17, 2024, in Ningbo, China. This year’s congress operates under the theme “Go Mobile, Stay Smart,” focusing on the transformative intersection of mobile technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). We cordially invite professionals, researchers, creatives, enthusiasts, faculty members, and students to submit paper, panel, and workshop proposals that delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the mobile creative practice, mobile communication, media, and AI industries.
Host and Organizers
The Fifth Mobile Studies Congress is proudly hosted by the Sino-German Faculty of Branding at Zhejiang Wanli University. Known for its branding and applied sciences expertise, the host is uniquely positioned to drive the discussion on leveraging AI in the mobile era.
Mobile Studies International (www.msi.wiki) and the Mobile Innovation Network & Association (www.mina.pro) co-design and co-organize the event. These organizations have a wealth of experience facilitating impactful discussions and collaborations across the mobile industry, creative sectors, community, and research organizations for over a decade each, making them ideal partners for this congress.
MSC Theme and Focus
The theme “Go Mobile, Stay Smart” encapsulates the congress’s core objective: exploring how AI can enhance the mobile experience and ignite innovation within the sector. We invite paper, panel, or workshop submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Brand Communication in the Mobile AI Age
• Mobile AI and Sustainability
• Mobile AI and Consumer Behaviour
• AI-Powered Mobile Storytelling
• AI-Assisted Mobile Journalism
• AI and Mobile Media
• AI-Empowered Mobile Communication
• Ethical Implications of AI in Mobile Contexts
• Mobile Creative Applications in the AI Age
• Mobile Photography, Smartphone Filmmaking, and AI
• AI Impact on Advertising, Marketing, and Branding
• Mobile Learning and AI
• AI and Mobile Health Communication
• Mobility Patterns and AI Analysis
• AI-Enhanced Mobile Experiences in Tourism, Hospitality, and Entertainment
• AI, Remote Work, and Mobile Workforce
• AI in Mobile Gaming
• Mobile Communication and AI for Emergent Responses
• AI, Mobile Technologies, and the Elderly
Submission Guidelines
We seek original research, case studies, showcases, project presentations, and theoretical papers that provide valuable insights and foster discussions on “Go Mobile, Stay Smart.” We also invite interested parties to submit proposals for workshops, roundtables, and panel discussions that align with the congress’s theme. We encourage participation from various stakeholders, including researchers, developers, designers, filmmakers, marketers, policymakers, and educators.
Important Dates:
• Submission Deadline: October 25, 2024
• Notification of Acceptance: October 30, 2024
• Presentation Slides Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024
We eagerly anticipate your contributions and look forward to fostering an enriching dialogue on the future of AI in the mobile industry. Click the following link to register your participation and submit your proposal (a 250-word abstract with a 150-word biographical note).
MSC2024 Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/zBUnVsLkjH
Alternatively, you can scan the following QR code to register:
For any queries regarding paper submissions, please contact the organizing committee at xuxiaoge@zwu.edu.cn.
Main Venue
The congress will be held at Zhejiang Wanli University, which offers state-of-the-art facilities and excellent accessibility for international participants. Ningbo, a dynamic city known for its vibrant technology sector, provides an inspiring backdrop for this landmark event.
Satellite Venues
Brand University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, New Delhi, India
Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Malaya, KL, Malaysia
School of Communications, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
School of Journalism and Communication, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Xiangshan College of Television and Film, Xiangshan, China
The academic publications from the past Mobile Studies Congress include Mobile Story in An Age of Smartphones (Schleser and Xu 2021), Coping with COVID-19, the Mobile Way: Experience and Expertise from China (Xu, 2022), and COVID-19 News Reporting and Engaging in the Age of Social Media: Comparing ‘Xinhua News Agency’ and ‘The Paper’ (Chen and Xu, 2021) as well as Sightlines Special Issue Smartphone Filmmaking – Past, Present and Future https://www.aspera.org.au/issue-5.
Congress Events
International Symposium of Brand Communication Symposium (ISBC)
The International Symposium of Brand Communication (ISBC) focuses on “International Communication of National Brands in the AI Age.” Set against the vibrant backdrop of Ningbo, China, this symposium is poised to be a groundbreaking event, bringing together leading scholars, industry practitioners, and experts to explore how artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the communication and perception of national brands on a global scale.
Artificial intelligence represents more than a technological advancement—it catalyzes profound change in marketing and branding. This symposium aims to delve into AI’s multifaceted challenges and unparalleled opportunities in the context of national branding on the international stage.
Key topics of discussion will include:
• AI-Driven Marketing Strategies: Insights into how AI reshapes marketing tactics and national brand campaigns.
• Cultural Adaptation and Brand Localization: Examining how AI enables brands to adapt and localize their messaging effectively and culturally.
• Innovative Communication Technologies: Exploring cutting-edge technologies that enhance brand communication and engagement.
• Successful AI Case Studies: Analyzing real-world examples of national brands leveraging AI to achieve remarkable results.
• Ethical Implications: Addressing the ethical considerations and responsibilities associated with AI in branding.
• Future of Brand Management: Predicting the future trajectory of brand management in the AI era.
Join us for an immersive experience filled with insightful presentations, dynamic panel discussions, and networking opportunities as we navigate the intersection of AI and national brand communication. This symposium is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the future of branding in the digital age.
International MINA Smartphone Film Festival
In its 13th edition, MINA (Mobile Innovation Network and Association) will present a public smartphone, mobile, and pocket film screening in November 2024. MINA is the longest-running film festival celebrating mobile and smartphone filmmaking in the Southern Hemisphere. MINA creates connections between filmmakers, communities, and the creative industries. The #MINA2024 International Mobile Innovation Screening will showcase short films produced on and with smartphones and mobile and pocket cameras.
At the congress, MINA will present the following new categories:
• An open call for mobile, smartphone, and pocket films;
• New Voices: Next Generation smartphone filmmakers – a category for young and emerging filmmakers (including students);
• Mobile Cinematic VR & 360° Video Production: The Future is Now – a category for Cinematic VR and 360° Video Production;
• Innovation category: Mobile AI, Mobile AR, Mobile XR, MoJo, drone videos, AR, Mobile Storytelling, micro-movies & micro-formats – a category for live streaming, mobile social media apps, drones and other pocket cameras (such as GoPro) & mobile devices;
• #EcoSmartphoneFilms – a new category for stories and creative solutions for all kinds of environmental issues in the form of eco-centered short documentaries, narrative movies, experimental or animation short films, all shot on mobile.
For any queries regarding smartphone film submissions, please contact the organizing committee at Max@mina.pro
MSC and MINA will present an online screening at MINAVault, following the congress: https://www.sightvault.xyz/minavault
International Symposium of Mobile Storytelling (ISMS)
After the inaugural International Mobile Storytelling Congress (2020), which was merged into the Mobile Studies Congress in the same year, mobile storytelling has been one of the key focuses of the annual event. For the next congress, MSC2024 will continue running a mobile storytelling symposium, inviting global mobile storytellers to present their latest mobile stories and findings on mobile storytelling.
MINA and MSI run mobile filmmaking, journalism, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Storytelling workshops for industry professionals, community groups, and organizations. Smartphones and pocket cameras are ubiquitous nowadays and provide new opportunities for content production. The workshops aim to experiment with smartphones as creative tools and discover the capabilities of this innovative form of visual storytelling.
PhD Student Symposium on AI and Mobile Studies
Join us for the inaugural PhD Student Symposium on AI and Mobile Studies, a dynamic gathering of emerging scholars exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and studies of mobile media, mobilities, and mobile communications. This symposium aims to provide a platform for PhD students to share their groundbreaking research, foster collaboration, and engage in stimulating discussions about the future of AI in the context of mobile studies.
Workshop on International Communication of Chinese Brands
Discover the art of global storytelling and enhance your brand’s international presence in our exclusive one-day, hands-on workshop. This by-invitation-only event is designed for 30 industry professionals, ensuring personalized attention and an intimate learning environment.
AI and SDG Storytelling Workshop
Step into the future of storytelling with “AI for Impact: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for SDG Storytelling,” an innovative one-day hands-on workshop that combines the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with the urgency of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This exclusive event is designed for 30 forward-thinking participants and fosters an environment of deep learning and collaboration.
AI and Mobile Filmmaking Workshop
Unleash the full potential of your mobile device for cinematic storytelling with “AI-Enhanced Visions: AI and Mobile Filmmaking Workshop.” This one-day, hands-on experience is designed for 30 participants eager to push the boundaries of mobile filmmaking with the innovative use of artificial intelligence.
AI and Mobile Studies Workshop
Embark on an intellectual journey through the rapidly evolving landscape of mobile studies with our two-day workshop during the 5th Mobile Studies Congress. This exclusive, by-invitation-only event is designed for a select group of 30 interdisciplinary researchers and professionals eager to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on mobile media, human mobility, information mobility, and mobile communications. After completing this workshop, the participants will be invited to become members of Mobile Studies International, a non-profit international institution for mobile studies scholars, founded in 2012.
Chairs of Mobile Studies Congress 2024
Dr. Xiaoge Xu, Professor, Sino-German Faculty of Branding, Zhejiang Wanli University, China
Dr. Max Schleser, Associate Professor, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Congress partners:
Centre for Transformative Media Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, India
Sino-German Faculty of Branding, Zhejiang Wanli University, China
ERS e-Research & Solutions and uMax Data, Macau, China
Asia-Pacific Communication Exchange Association, Macau, China
School of Communications, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
School of Journalism and Communication, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Ningbo City Image Building and Communication Base, Ningbo, China
Xiangshan College of Television and Film, Ningbo, China