MICA's 12th International Communication Management Conference

AI and the
Unsettled
Imagination Age

ASSUMPTIONS. TENSIONS. PARADOXES. FUTURES

Dates Jan 22–24, 2027

Location MICA, Ahmedabad

View Call for Papers

About ICMC 2027

Namaste! ICMC is back with its 12th edition, continuing its legacy as one of India’s distinctive academic platforms for conversations at the intersection of communication, marketing, media, culture, technology, and society.

Conference Theme

Exploring AI's reshaping of creativity, culture, communication, commerce, and collective life

Core Focus

Communication, marketing, media, culture, technology, and society at the intersection

Research Excellence

Original papers, case studies, conceptual work, and doctoral research submissions welcome

Global Audience

Researchers, academicians, industry professionals, doctoral scholars, and students worldwide

Recognition

Best Paper Awards worth ₹1.5 lakhs celebrating outstanding scholarly contributions

Meet the Editors

Opportunity to meet a panel of editors from reputed journals

Conference Theme Spotlight

AI AND THE UNSETTLED
IMAGINATION AGE

ASSUMPTIONS. TENSIONS. PARADOXES. FUTURES.

As artificial intelligence begins to shape how we create, communicate, consume, learn, work, trust, and imagine the future, ICMC 2027 invites scholars, practitioners, doctoral researchers, and industry leaders to examine what this shift means for individuals, markets, institutions, communities, and society.

ICMC 2027 will explore AI not merely as a technological development, but as a force that is reshaping creativity, culture, communication, commerce, and collective life.

The conference asks –

How can AI be re-imagined, re-designed, governed, and used in ways that strengthen human creativity, protect dignity, build trust, create responsible value, and advance inclusive social progress?

Conference Highlights

International Participation

Connect with scholars and practitioners from across the globe at India's premier conference

Research Presentations

Share original findings and engage in scholarly dialogue with leading experts in your field

Industry Engagement

Network with industry leaders and explore practical applications of AI research

Networking Opportunities

Build meaningful connections with researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders

Publication Opportunities

Selected papers may be considered for publication opportunities in partner journals / edited volumes, subject to journal review processes.

Workshops & Discussions

Participate in specialized workshops and facilitated discussions on emerging topics

Call for Papers

ICMC 2027 invites original research papers, extended abstracts, conceptual papers, case studies, doctoral research submissions, industry papers, panels, workshops, and special session proposals that examine the expanding role of artificial intelligence in shaping human, organizational, market, cultural, and societal futures.

The 12th edition of ICMC is guided by the theme “AI and the Unsettled Imagination Age: Assumptions, Tensions, Paradoxes, Futures.” At a time when AI is transforming how people create, communicate, consume, learn, work, trust, organize, and imagine the future, the conference seeks to move the conversation beyond adoption, efficiency, and automation. It invites scholars and practitioners to examine AI as a broader human and societal transformation that is reshaping creativity, culture, communication, commerce, institutions, and collective life.

Research Papers

Empirical, conceptual, critical, or interpretive research

Doctoral Research

Work-in-progress from doctoral researchers

Panels & Workshops

Curated discussions and interactive sessions

Case Studies

Practical examples and real-world applications

Industry Papers

Practice-led contributions from industry experts

Special Sessions

Themed collections on emerging topics

Conference Tracks

We welcome submissions that question established assumptions, identify emerging tensions, examine paradoxes, and imagine responsible futures. Papers may engage with AI from diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives, including communication, marketing, media studies, consumer research, service research, design, management, information systems, sociology, cultural studies, public policy, ethics, education, development studies, and related fields.

ICMC 2027 particularly encourages work that asks how AI can be re-imagined, re-designed, governed, and used in ways that strengthen human creativity, protect dignity, build trust, create responsible value, and advance inclusive social progress. Submissions may be empirical, conceptual, critical, interpretive, design-oriented, managerial, or practice-led, provided they contribute meaningfully to the conference theme.

Authors are invited to submit their work under one of the conference tracks covering creativity and authorship; culture, meaning, and identity; communication, trust, and public reality; commerce and consumer agency; and community, inclusion, institutions, and collective futures.

Submit Your Paper

Explore Tracks

Creativity, Authorship, and the Future of Human Imagination

Explore how AI is reshaping creative processes, authorship, artistic expression, and the nature of human imagination in the digital age

Culture, Meaning, Identity, and the Politics of Representation

Examine how AI affects cultural production, identity formation, representation, and the construction of meaning in society

Communication, Trust, Persuasion, and Public Reality

Investigate AI's role in communication dynamics, trust-building, persuasion strategies, and the formation of public discourse

Commerce, Value Creation, Consumer Agency, and Market Futures

Analyze how AI transforms commerce, consumer behavior, market dynamics, and value creation in business ecosystems

Community, Inclusion, Institutions, and Collective Futures

Address AI's impact on community building, social inclusion, institutional structures, and collective well-being

Best Paper Awards

To recognize and celebrate outstanding scholarly contributions, the conference will confer Best Paper Awards with a total prize value of ₹1.5 lakhs. These awards aim to honour originality, methodological rigor, theoretical contribution, and relevance to the conference themes.

Best Academic Paper

₹50,000

For the most rigorous theoretical, empirical, or conceptual contribution advancing knowledge in the field.

Best Practitioners Paper

₹50,000

For the most impactful practice-led or applied research with industry relevance and innovation.

Runner-up Academic Paper

₹25,000

Honoring exceptional second-place academic contributions to conference discourse.

Runner-up Practitioners Paper

₹25,000

Recognizing strong second-place applied research and industry-focused submissions.

Important Dates & Deadlines

Mark your calendar with these critical conference milestones

June 20, 2026

Submissions Open

Paper submission portal becomes active. Start preparing your submissions.

September 30, 2026

Submission Deadline

Last date to submit your complete papers for review.

November 15, 2026

Notification of Decisions

Authors notified about acceptance status and review feedback.

November 30, 2026

Early-Bird Registration

Last day to register at discounted early-bird rates.

December 10, 2026

Final Registration Deadline

Last date to register for the conference.

January 22, 2027

Pre-Conference Doctoral Workshop

Specialized workshop session for doctoral researchers.

January 23-24, 2027

Main Conference

Full two days of presentations, discussions, and networking.

Submission Guidelines

Ensure your submission meets all requirements for a smooth review process

Eligibility Criteria

Papers must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.

Templates & Resources

Download submission templates and guidelines to prepare your manuscript professionally.

Formatting Requirements

Follow specific formatting guidelines for fonts, margins, citations, and references to ensure consistency.

Submission Process

Submit through the online portal with abstract, keywords, and author information.

Review Process

Double-blind peer review by subject experts ensures rigorous evaluation of all submissions.

Submission Portal

Access the submission system at the provided link to upload your complete paper.

Download Submission Pack

Conference Registration

Registrations will open November 15, 2026 onwards.

Academician / Researchers

Early Bird ₹8,500

Regular ₹10,500

Research Scholars

Early Bird ₹4,500

Regular ₹6,500

Industry Practitioners

Early Bird ₹12,500

Regular ₹15,500

Inclusions: Conference kit, Conference lunch and dinner.
Early Bird discount is valid up till 30-Nov-26

Conference Organizing Committee

Meet the dedicated team organizing ICMC 2027

Venue, City & Conference Information

Practical Information

MICA, Ahmedabad provides a modern and vibrant venue for the conference, while the city offers excellent connectivity, accommodation, dining, and transport options for visitors. Participants can also explore Ahmedabad’s rich cultural heritage, shopping, cuisine, and iconic attractions across Gujarat while enjoying pleasant January weather.

FAQ’s

Find answers to common questions about ICMC 2027, including submissions, registration, the Doctoral Colloquium, conference programme, publication opportunities, awards, attendance certificates, and participant logistics. For further assistance, participants may contact the conference team through the official communication channels.

About MICA

Established in 1991, MICA is India’s premier autonomous institution dedicated to leadership in management, strategic marketing, communication, creativity, and innovation. Offering postgraduate, doctoral, executive education, and online programmes, MICA is known for its unique blend of academic rigour, industry relevance, and interdisciplinary learning.

AI and the Unsettled Imagination Age