Gary Gumpert (1933-2024) was the founder and first president of the Urban Communication Foundation (UCF), which was founded in 2010. He served on the UCF board until his passing in November 2024. Throughout his career Gary sought to infuse the communication and media fields with new ideas that cut across disciplinary boundaries and that brought individuals with varying perspectives together, as is witnessed by his strong support for the (sub)field of urban communication research.
The UCF mission provides the following description of urban communication:
“We start from the premise that cities themselves function as a medium of communication, arguably among the world’s oldest forms of media and communication. Cities are places where messages are created, carried, and exchanged by structures, infrastructures, and people.
Urban communication is the meshing, for better or worse, of technology and social interaction. Urban communication research is interdisciplinary and collaborative with other research and creative disciplines.”
The IAMCR Gary Gumpert Event aims to recognize Gary’s legacy and commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary practice within the (sub)field of urban communication, and to support the goals of the UCF.
Community Media and the Re-Making of Social/Urban Space: Anchors in the Digital Commons
An IAMCR Pre-conference
Beyond the virtual spaces they create, community media are grounded physical spaces within communities, embedded in both urban and rural contexts. What new possibilities might these spaces unlock for communities in the digital age?
This question is especially timely: the Irish media regulator has recently announced funding for the first round of ‘digital transformation’ initiatives by Irish broadcasters. This presents an important opportunity to rethink the role of media, and community media, in particular, in supporting local communities.
This one-day workshop will explore how the community media sector can evolve to function as community hubs or “third spaces” during this pivotal period of transformation.
The event will bring together Irish community media practitioners from a diverse cross-section of urban and rural organisations alongside members of the International Association for Media and Communication Research. Through a combination of prepared papers, showcases of best-practice initiatives, and open discussion, participants will explore how community media can expand their civic and social role.
We invite community media practitioners and scholars to engage with emerging approaches to digital transformation and community engagement. A series of lightning talks from researchers and practitioners will be followed by an interactive workshop session exploring practical strategies for creating and supporting third-space media hubs.
Date and time
Friday 26 June, 2026
09:00-18:00
Location
University of Galway
Participation and Registration
There are two ways to participate in this event: as a presenter or as an active participant.
For presenters
We invite community media practitioners and researchers to deliver a lightning presentation (approximately 2–3 minutes) about a specific community media outlet or initiative in which community media functions as a civic community space and/or digital community hub. Presentations should address the following points:
- A brief description of the community media outlet or initiative, including an overview of the physical space
- The community functions the outlet serves beyond media production
- Key digital transformation challenges the outlet or initiative is currently facing
We particularly encourage submissions from scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers from all career stages, and from diverse backgrounds.
If you would like to participate as a presenter, please submit a short summary of your presentation (approx. 200 words) to IAMCR2026@universityofgalway.ie
The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026.
For participants
We would also like to invite practitioners, researchers, and those with an interest in community media and the digital commons to participate in the event. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the presentations and take part in the participatory workshop. Registrations are now open for those who would prefer to attend as a participant.
Important: travel funding to support participation by Community Media practitioners from the island of Ireland is available. Please indicate in your initial email whether you wish to avail of this support..
Email IAMCR2026@universityofgalway.ie to register to attend, with your name and affiliation.
Convenor
- Workshop facilitator: Dr Bridget Backhaus, Griffith University
Organiser
- Andrew Ó Baoill, University of Galway
Event made possible by generous financial support from the Urban Communication Foundation, in memory of Gary Gumpert.
Contact
IAMCR2026@universityofgalway.ie
