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

The first joint conference of the Digital Communication (DigiKomm) Division of DGPuK and the ICA interest group Human–Machine Communication (HMC) in Dresden received strong interest from the international scholarly community and provided a vibrant platform for in-depth academic exchange.

In total, 43 submissions from nine countries (Germany, USA, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore, India, Israel, Serbia) were received. The double-blind review process ensured two to three reviews per submission (119 reviews in total). The final conference program featured 37 presentations across eight thematic sessions. Ahead of the conference, six PhD students presented their dissertation projects during an international doctoral consortium and received valuable feedback from established scholars.

The conference brought together 65 participants from ten countries in Dresden. Two distinguished keynote speakers—Prof. emerita Leopoldina Fortunati (Italy) and Prof. Andrew Gambino (USA)—provided important impulses and contributed significantly to the inspiring scholarly dialogue.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our funding partners DGPuK, DFG, and TU Dresden – Funding Program Internationalization, whose support made both the conference and the provision of seven travel grants for international and early-career scholars possible.

You can view some impressions from the conference here: Conference Impressions.pdf

We are delighted to welcome communication scholars from around the world to TU Dresden for the first joint conference of the DGPuK Division Digital Communication and the ICA Interest Group Human–Machine Communication.

In line with the ICA Code of Conduct and the DGPuK Mission Statement on Awareness, the DigiKomm & HMC Conference is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. We strive to foster an atmosphere of intellectual exchange, inspiration, and collaboration and free from discrimination, harassment, or violence.

Our Commitment

The organizing team is dedicated to ensuring that all conference participants feel welcome, safe, and able to benefit equally from the conference experience. We encourage responsible engagement and remind attendees to be mindful of possible power imbalances in professional and social interactions.

We expect all participants to treat one another with professionalism, civility, and respect—whether in formal sessions or informal settings, and regardless of gender, gender identity, or gender expression; sexuality; marital, domestic, or parental status; race, ethnicity, caste, or nationality; religion or belief; ability, health, or age; social class, employment, or immigration status.

In this context, we would also like to refer to TU Dresden’s policy on protection against discrimination, harassment, and violence, which outlines the foundations for a culture of respectful interaction with one another and also applies to all guests of TU Dresden during our conference.

Our goal is to create a vibrant scholarly environment where all voices can be heard and valued.

If You Experience or Witness Misconduct

If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior during the conference, please contact a member of the conference staff immediately.

• Conference staff can be found at the registration desk (Room BAR-I89) and will be identifiable by red lanyards.
• You may also reach out via email to Katrin Etzrodt or Lisa Weidmüller with any concerns.

Our staff will take every report seriously and provide support, which may include contacting security or local authorities, facilitating access to resources, or ensuring that inappropriate behavior is addressed promptly.

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.

You can find the complete program here: Doctoral Consortium 2025_Schedule (opens PDF)

The updated conference program is available in the ConfTool

You can also download the program as PDF

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. 11
01187 Dresden

Conference Dinner

The culinary highlight of the conference will take place on September 16, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. at the Johann Restaurant & Elblounge.

Adress:
Käthe-Kollwitz-Ufer 19b
01307 Dresden

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 until September 1, 2025 via the ConfTool.

If the maximum number of approximately 60 participants is reached before September 1, registration may close early. If you are unable to complete your registration, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Registration fees:

Please note:

• When registering, we kindly ask you to indicate whether you plan to attend the informal get together and the conference dinner.
• Please note that registration is binding. In the event of cancellation, a cancellation fee will apply.
• TU Dresden currently only offers bank transfer as payment method. Should you encounter any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa Weidmüller at .

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.

If you do not have a Deutschland-Ticket, you can buy one-day passes (from 7.50 € per day) or a week pass (from 22.40 €) – depending on how long you are staying – from Dresden’s public transportation service DVB once you are in Dresden.

Conference venue

The doctoral consortium and main conference will take place in the Barkhausen Building at Georg-Schumann-Str. 11, 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

Link to Google Maps: 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

Other recommendations:

• Dormero Hotel Dresden City double bedroom from 82€/night, incl. breakfast (direct access to bus 85 that will take you directly to the conference venue)

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: Is there WiFi?

A: Guest access is available for the network VPN/WEB. Connect to this wireless network. If you then call up any website with your browser, the login page of the wireless network will appear. Now enter your user name and password and click on Login.

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 the main conference are welcome to apply until August 15, 2025. Please note that travel stipends are awarded primarily to pre-doctoral and/or international researchers based on demonstrated need. In order to apply, please send an email to , briefly outlining your need for financial assistance.

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.