DGPuK & ICA Conference of the Divisions: “Digital Communication” & “Human-Machine Communication”

Link to the Call for Papers

Key Dates:

• March 1, 2025 – Registration via the ConfTool opens

• March 15, 2025 – Deadline to submit

• April 30, 2025 – Acceptance notifications sent out

The Doctoral Consortium (DC) sponsored by the Digital Communication (DigiKomm) Division of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK) and the Human-Machine Communication (HMC) Interest Group of the International Communication Association (ICA) will bring together PhD students who are researching various types of communication technologies to give them the opportunity to discuss their research in a constructive, collaborative, and international atmosphere.

It will take place on September 15, 2025 (1-5 p.m., CET) at TU Dresden, Germany.

To apply, students must submit a research proposal describing their research (see Call for Applications). Submissions can be in English or German and should be emailed as one PDF to Lisa Weidmüller until April 15, 2025.

The conference program will be published in the ConfTool as soon as possible.

Get-Together

The conference will kick off with a get-together that will take place on September 15, 2025 from 6 p.m. in the CETI Bar.

Address: Barkhausen-Bau
House C, 1. floor, Room I36
Georg-Schumann-Str. 9
01187 Dresden

Conference Dinner

The culinary highlight of the conference will take place on September 16, 2025 from 6 p.m.

Location t.b.a.

Experience Dresden

When registering, participants can book one of two events that show how new technologies are integrated into the baroque city. Both events will take place on 15.09.2025 between 11 am and 5 pm. We will coordinate the exact time with you once you have registered. Please let us know if you have any time preferences.

The choices are:

• Virtual Reality Experience in Dresdner Altstadt | TimeRide Dresden
• Festung Xperience - Schlösserland Sachsen

Registration for the conference is available from March 1, 2025 via the ConfTool.

Here you will find all the important information on how to get to Dresden, the conference venue and possible accommodation during your stay.

Travel to Dresden

Arrival by plane: Dresden Airport (01109 Dresden-Klotzsche) is located about 9 kilometers northeast of the city center of Dresden. The S-Bahn line S2 takes you directly from the airport to Dresden main station and on to the city center (approx. 20 minutes)

Arrival by train: Arrival to Dresden by train is usually via Dresden Central Station (Wiener Platz 4, 01069 Dresden), which is well connected to the main cities in Germany and some international destinations. From the central station, you can reach the conference venue and other destinations in the city quickly and easily by public transport or on foot.

Getting Around in Dresden

There are numerous mobility options available to you in Dresden: Take advantage of the well-developed S-Bahn and Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe(DVB) networks or make use of flexible alternatives such as rental bikes from MOBIbike.

Conference venue

The doctoral consortium and main conference will take place in the Barkhausen Building at Georg-Schumann-Str. 9, 01187 Dresden. You can easily reach the venue with the following connections:

• by bus 85 (direction Striesen) to the stop Helmholzstraße, plus 2 minutes on foot
• by tram 3 (direction Coschütz) to Münchner Platz stop, plus 10 minutes on foot

© TUD

Entrance conference venue Barkhausen-Bau

Accomodation

There are various options for overnight accommodation in Dresden. Please note that we do not offer a special conference hotel.

Hotels in Prager Straße (near the main station):

• Premier Inn double bedroom from 90€/night
• ibis Hotel double bedroom from 95€/night
• Holiday Inn Express double bedroom from 115€/night

Hotels in the old town:

• ibis Hotel double bedroom from 80€/night
• Premier Inn double bedroom from 95€/night
• Dorint Hotel double bedroom from 110€/night
• NH Collection double bedroom from 120€/night
• Hilton Dresden double bedroom from 130€/night

Hotels in the Neustadt:

• ibis Styles double bedroom from 60€/night
• Motel One double bedroom from 95€/night

If you require assistance in finding accommodation, please contact .

Dresden has a beautiful old town, many parks and a vibrant district called "Neustadt". The surrounding area with its vineyards, the Dresdner Heide and Saxon Switzerland National Park is also well worth a visit. Many useful tips can be found on the city website, the website of the city marketing and in numerous travel blogs (e.g., northabroad.de, thetravelfolk.com).

© Pixabay

Our top places to see in Dresden

In the old town:

• Altmarkt (Old Market): This is one of the city’s oldest squares, dating back to the 13th century. There is an Autumn Market from September 12 – October 5, 2025.
• Church of our Lady: The rebuilt baroque church is one of Dresden's landmarks. Guided tours and a viewing platform offer breathtaking views of the city.
• Zwinger Palace: An impressive baroque complex with gardens, galleries and museums such as the Old Masters Picture Gallery. At the center of the Zwinger Palace courtyard, there is the Glockenspiel made of 40 porcelain bells that play a variety of melodies every 15-minutes.
• Semper Opera House: The Semperoper is considered one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world and is the home and main venue of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden.
• Brühl's Terrace: Brühl's Terrace, also known as the "Balcony of Europe", is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll in Dresden's Old Town. Here you can not only enjoy the impressive architecture and historical atmosphere, but also a wonderful view of the Elbe and the surrounding countryside.
• Royal Palace: Dresden's Royal Palace is a magnificent landmark of Saxon history and art. With impressive museums, such as the Green Vault and the Türckische Cammer, it offers insights into the past of the Saxon electors and kings.
• Grande Garden Dresden: Only a 20-minute walk from the city center you will find a beautiful park including the Summer Palace, the Dresden Zoo, and Dresden Botanical Garden.

In the New Town:

• Golden Horseman: The Golden Horseman, the most famous monument in Dresden, shows Elector Augustus the Strong in Roman armor on horseback.
• Japanese Palace: The Japanese Palace, originally planned as a porcelain palace for Augustus the Strong, now houses the Museum of Ethnology Dresden.
• Kunsthofpassage: The Kunsthofpassage in Dresden is a creative gem that connects Alaunstraße with Görlitzer Straße and combines art, life and enjoyment in five themed courtyards.
• Pfunds Dairy: Pfunds Molkerei in Dresden is considered the "most beautiful dairy store in the world" and impresses with its magnificent, historicist interior. Here, visitors can not only enjoy delicious cheese and dairy products, but also immerse themselves in a unique, artistic atmosphere.

Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Germany? 

A: You can find all the important information and whether you need a visa on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. You can also fill out the visa application directly here. If you need a visa invitation letter,  a certificate of attendance or other help with your travel, please contact .

Q: Are there opportunities for online or remote participation? 

A: The main conference will be an in-person experience. For the Doctoral Consortium (DC) we will try to enable hybrid sessions for accepted students who are unable to attend the DC in person. Please contact  after receiving your acceptance notification for the DC.

Q: Is there financial assistance to participate in the conference? 

A: Yes, we will have a limited number of travel stipends. Accepted participants of the Doctoral Consortium (DC) and participants of the main conference are welcome to apply before May 31, 2025. Travel stipends  are awarded preferentially to doctoral students and pre-docs.  Just contact .

Q: Where is the conference and how do I get there? 

A: Both the Doctoral Consortium (DC) and main conference will be held at the Barkhausen Building at Georg-Schumann-Str. 9, 01187 Dresden. You can easily reach the venue with the following connections:

• by bus 85 (direction Striesen) to the stop Helmholzstraße, plus 2 minutes on foot
• by tram 3 (direction Coschütz) to Münchner Platz stop, plus 10 minutes on foot

Q: Will there be food? 

A: Yes! There will be snacks and coffee breaks throughout the Doctoral Consortium (DC) and main conference. We will have a buffet at both the get-together (15.09.2025) and conference dinner (16.09.2025) including vegan and vegetarian options.

Q: When will I find out if my submission for the main conference has been accepted? 

A: We will contact you via email by April 30, 2025.

Q: When will I find out if my application to the DC has been accepted? 

A: We will contact you via email by May 15, 2025. 

Q: Is there a registration fee for the DC? 

A: No. The DC will be fully sponsored by the DigiKomm division of the German Communication Association (DGPuK).

Q: Can I participate in the Doctoral Consortium (DC) without an accepted submission?

A: Yes, the DC is a preconference and participation in the plenary of the DC is open to all participants of the main conference. In fact, the DC will benefit from your participation and your feedback to the DC participants.

Q: Do I have to register for the DW in ConfTool?

A: Yes, a binding registration for the DC via the ConfTool is necessary for our organization of room capacity and snacks. However, preconference registration is only available as an add-on to the main conference registration so, in order to register for the DC, you must also register for the main conference.