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Conference info | Keynote speakers | Program | Special issue | Visiting Sydney | Contact us

This 2024 ICA preconference hosted by the University of Technology Sydney is joint with the 15th International Forum on Public Relations & Advertising (PRAD) Conference, the 8th Public Relations Scholars’ Community (PRSC) Conference, and the 8th Asia Pacific Public Relations Research and Education Network’s (APPRREN) Conference.  

The preconference with the theme, “Impacts of Strategic Communication in an Interconnected World,” will take place on June 16-17, 2024 at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia.    

This preconference is organised by School of Communication at UTS, PRAD, PRSC, and APPRREN. The sponsors are: City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Shih Hsin University.  

2024 ICA Preconference Theme: Impacts of Strategic Communication in an Interconnected World

We welcome scholars and postgraduate students from around the world to join us to share their original research into how strategic communication creates positive (and sometimes negative) social change and impact across organizational, social, cultural, political, and economic settings.  

Our world faces existential threats and challenges in which strategic communication is arguably more important than ever. We face the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, poverty, gender and racial inequality, climate change, unfair workplace practices, public diplomacy challenges such as war and conflict, distrust and polarization in the public sphere, and the list continues. Strategic communication continues to play an integral role in addressing these challenges However, it can also be employed for disruption and manipulation.    

In line with this, this ICA preconference invites empirical research, case studies, and critical analyses of both positive and negative impacts of strategic communication as implemented in multiple fields such as corporate and government communication, public relations, health communication, corporate social responsibility and sustainability, activism, digital/social/mobile communication, environmental communication, public diplomacy, development communication, advertising, the environment, science, and the media, among others.  

  • Conference info

     

    Date
    Sunday 16 to Monday  17 June, 2024
     

    Location
    UTS Campus, Sydney, Australia

    The majority of the conference activities will be held at UTS Building 6 (Peter Johnson Building)

  • fee

    • Academics and industry practitioners:  
      AUD $140 + Booking Fee + GST  
    • Students (postgraduate and undergraduate):  
      AUD $110+ Booking Fee + GST  

      Registration fees include lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments for the two-day event, and the Welcome Reception on Day 1.  

      Payments received are non-refundable.

  • Registration

    Accepted authors need to register on or before March 31, 2024 to confirm place in the conference schedule. Co-authors should register individually.  

    Get tickets

Preconference keynote speakers

Professor W. Timothy Coombs

Professor W. Timothy Coombs

W. Timothy Coombs (PhD Purdue University) (USA) is an advisor for the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications.  His primary area of research and consulting is crisis communication.  His works include the award-winning book Ongoing Crisis Communication, coediting the Handbook of Crisis Communication, and co-writing Strategic Sport Communication:  Traditional and Transmedia Strategies for a Global Sport Market. 

His crisis communication research has won multiple awards from professional organizations including the Jackson, Jackson & Wagner Behavioral Science Prize.  He is a Fellow in the International Communication Association.  

ORCiD website

Distinguished Professor Jim Macnamara

Distinguished Professor Jim Macnamara, PhD, FAMI, CPM, FAMEC 

 Jim Macnamara is an internationally recognised leader in evaluation of public communication and for his ground-breaking studies of organisational listening by and in governments, corporations, and NGOs. Since early 2020, he has led global research for the World Health Organization to evaluate and advise on its communication in relation to COVID-19 and World Health Days. 

Jim is the author of 16 books including Evaluating Public Communication: Exploring New Models, Standards, and Best Practice and Organizational Listening II: Expanding the Concept, Theory, and Practice published in 2024. as well as almost 100 book chapters and journal articles. 

ORCiD website

Program and schedule  

Download the ICA Preconference program (PDF, 401kB) 

Download the ICA Preconference program in Chinese (PDF, 1MB)

Special Issue Information: Journal of Communication Management  

Our preconference has arranged a Special Issue with the Journal of Communication Management (Communication Q1 journal; Impact Factor: 3.1; 5-year Impact Factor: 3.4). 

The theme of the special issue is ‘Impacts of Strategic Communication: Beyond Organization-Centric Goals’. This special issue aims at in-depth investigations on how communication addresses varied issues relevant to the society and the world. It is an avenue for the topic to be examined from non-Western contexts, especially the disruptions experienced by countries in the Global South that may challenge or concur with experiences in the Global North.  

We welcome papers focusing on one of the areas below to be submitted to the special issue:  

  1. Social impacts of strategic communication
  2. De-organization-centric scholarship in strategic communication
  3. Non-Western perspectives on social impact of strategic communication

Submission information

All authors should refer to the author guidelines on the Journal of Communication Management website.

Manuscripts should be between 6000 and 8000 words in length. This includes all text, structured abstract, references, all text in tables, figures, and appendices. Submissions will undergo the blind review process aligned with the journal policies.  

Important dates for the special issue:

  • Submission window opens: 1st July, 2024
  • Submissions closes: 1st October, 2024
  • Final acceptance date: 1st May, 2025
  • Special issue published: third quarter of 2025    

Risk plans and parking information

Sydney Harbour City

Accommodation  

There is no ‘official’ ICA preconference hotel, however there are many accommodation options to choose from:

Some hotels are within walking distance from UTS such as: Mercure Sydney, The Old Clare, Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park and DD Apartments on Broadway.

Still within easy walking distance, but a just a little further away, are: Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central, Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney, Novotel Sydney Central, Metro Aspire Hotel and Vulcan Hotel

You might also want to look for accommodation in Surry Hills, Newtown, or Glebe (all within about 20 minutes walking distance to and from UTS). Hotels in the CBD, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay areas are also accessible to UTS via public transport.

A large building with peach-coloured walls on Harris St, connected via a pedestrian foot bridge over the busy road

Location

The conference will be held at UTS Building 6 (Peter Johnson Building) with the main entrance at 702-730 Harris Street. It can also be reached via the Harris footbridge from Building 1 or Building 2.  

UTS is within walking distance to and from the Central Station. It is accessible via bus and train. If you are driving, paid parking spaces are available at Wilson Parking, 169-179 Thomas St, Haymarket NSW 2000   

UTS students in discussion

Transport

The Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is located about 8km from the CBD.  If you are catching the train to-and-from the airport into the city, you can purchase an OPAL transport card from the airport train station. The airport/city train is rather expensive (about $17AUD one way), so if more than two people are travelling together from the airport to the CBD, it is cheaper (and more convenient) to take a taxi (approx. $30-35AUD). Uber rides are also available.  

If you plan on using buses, trains and/or ferries while in Sydney, you may use purchased OPAL card or any credit/debit card that can be tapped to enter and exit train stations. OPAL cards are available in most convenience stores in the CBD as well as supermarkets, newsagencies and main transport hubs. You can use this trip planner for information about how to get around the city. 

students at restaurant

Eating and drinking in Sydney

While Sydney may be an expensive city, there are lots of options for great food at very reasonable prices. Among our favourite places to eat around the UTS campus are Spice Alley (under $15AUD – has vegetarian options too) and a range of eateries on  King Street Newtown, nearby Glebe, of course China Town, Darling Square, Surry Hills, as well as  loads of other options.

You will not have difficulties finding a place to enjoy a drink after a long conference day! If you’re just thirsty, Sydney’s water is safe to drink directly from the tap. UTS has water stations for your use.

Scenery of Hickson Road Reserve at Circular Quay

Sydney Weather in June  

June is the first month of the winter season in Australia. But although the temperatures continue to drop, the weather is pleasant and it doesn't get significantly cold. Maximum temperatures in Sydney in June reach 17 °C (62.6 °F) during the day, while at night the mercury drops to around 9 °C (48.2 °F).  

Bondi beach

Some things not to miss in Sydney

Circular Quay for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The bridge climb is a must to try!  

The Rocks  - a heritage site with quaint dining places, weekend markets, specialty shops.  

The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee – enjoy the beautiful beaches, stop for coffee and food at each beach and admire the dolphins swimming with the surfers (if you are very lucky!)

Manly  - the ferry ride is spectacular. Great food options, and lovely walk around to Shelly Beach.

The Wild Life Zoo Darling Harbour – A compact zoo/ cultural experience conveniently located at Darling Harbour for those who don't have time to visit Taronga Zoo. You can get up close to some of our beloved koalas and kangaroos. The Sydney Aquarium is next door.

The Royal Botanical Gardens – take a stroll through our beautiful botanical gardens and end up a Lady Macquarie’s chair for a prize view of Sydney Harbour, take in the Opera House, Harbour Bridge all at once.

The Darling Harbour, especially after the dusk - vibrant city lights, often live music and performances. You can also wander to the close-by Tumbalong Park (not your typical park) and the Chinese Garden of Friendship”.

The Blue Mountains - for iconic lookouts such as the infamous Three Sisters, shopping and cafes at the Leura Mall.

Organisers

The preconference is organized by the UTS School of Communication; the Department of Media and Communication of the City University of Hong Kong; the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University; the School of Journalism and Communication at Huazhong University of Science and Technology; the Department of Public Relations and Advertising at Shih Hsin University; PRSC; and APPRREN. 

Sponsors

The pre-conference is sponsored by the Department of Media and Communication of the City University of Hong Kong; the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University; the School of Journalism and Communication at Huazhong University of Science and Technology; the Department of Public Relations and Advertising at Shih Hsin University 

ICA Division and Interest Group Affiliations

The Public Relations Division  |   The Global Communication and Social Change Division  |   The Organizational Communication Division  |   The Public Diplomacy Interest Group

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email us at UTSJointConference@uts.edu.au

See you in Sydney!