WKWSCI at ICA 2026: Advancing Global Conversations in Communication Research

The 76th International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Cape Town brought together communication scholars from around the world for a week of exchange and discussions on the future of media and communication.

At ICA 2026, the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) marked a strong presence, with faculty, researchers, and students presenting more than 80 papers spanning news media trust, digital communication, AI and communication, digital platforms and cultures, health communication, computational communication research, and geopolitical discourse in Asia and beyond. 

Several WKWSCI research papers and dissertations received awards and recognitions at ICA 2026: 

Top Faculty Paper Award (Journalism Studies Division) 
Professor Edson Tandoc, Sofia Contreras-Yap, and Nur Isyana 
“Distinguishing News Media Trust, Skepticism, and Cynicism Through Elaboration: Toward a Global Typology of Distrustors, Mistrustors, Automatic Trustors, and Engaged Trustors” 

Top Faculty Paper Award (Popular Media and Culture Division) 
Assistant Professor Hai Wang 
“Behind the Kidney-harvest (Ge Yaozi) Panic: Thailand-Focused Content Creators and the Spillover of Geopolitical Discourse on Chinese Platforms” 

Outstanding Dissertation in Journalism Studies Award (Journalism Studies Division) 
Assistant Professor Hai Wang 
“Ties with Thais? Chinese Media Expats and China's Soft Power Footprint in Thailand” 

Promising Student Paper Award (Information Systems Division) 
Shruti Malviya 
“Are You in Control of Your Meetings? Autonomy Balancing Fatigue and Vigour in a Videoconferencing World” 

Annie Lang Dissertation Award (Information Systems Division) 
Heng Zhang 
“Investigating the Effect of Virtual Background in 2D and Virtual Reality Videoconferencing Platforms on Attention Control and Videoconference Fatigue” 

These recognitions reflected the quality and relevance of research emerging from WKWSCI, with award-winning papers and dissertations examining issues that continue to shape societies globally, including media trust, digital wellbeing, and online political discourse. 

WKWSCI’s contributions to the international communication research community were also reflected in its academic leadership. The School is home to all Communication Studies full professors recognised as ICA Fellows, while faculty members continued to serve in leadership roles across ICA divisions and interest groups. 

Beyond the conference programme, ICA 2026 also provided opportunities for engagement across the global communication community. Throughout the week, the WKWSCI community connected with peers, alumni, and prospective scholars through activities at the booth, faculty coffee chat, and the Nanyang Reception. 

The School is excited to continue its research efforts and conversations on emerging issues in communication and media studies globally and looks forward to reconnecting with the international communication research community at ICA next year. 

For more information about NTU WKWSCI at ICA 2026, visit our website.