The Transforming Passions conference marks the 10-year anniversary of the conference series, celebrating a decade of engagement with Geomedia Studies. This year, the conference returns home to Karlstad University after several years.
The Transforming Passions conference is both a moment of reflection and an opportunity for expansion, looking back at the origins of Geomedia.
As a transdisciplinary gathering, Transforming Passions fosters dialogue between scholars and artists and provides a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring methodologies and sharing creative expressions that shape our understanding of media, space, culture and the arts. By bringing formats, disciplines, and perspectives, the conference continues to push the boundaries of Geomedia.
– The theme of Transforming Passions involves movement, transformation, and rediscovery, says Doris Posch, associate senior lecturer in Media and Communication at Karlstad University. Transforming Passions is about mobility, not just in a physical or geographical sense, but also in the way ideas, disciplines, and perspectives intersect and inspire one another.
– We are particularly looking forward to addressing affective dimensions in the study of areas ranging from streaming services and travel influencers to digitalized labor, border surveillance and geopolitics, says Georgia Aitaki, senior lecturer in media and communication at Karlstad University.
What expectations do you have of the conference?
– We envision Transforming Passions as a vibrant space for dialogue where participants from diverse disciplines and artistic practices come together to share expertise, challenge perspectives, and inspire new ways of thinking and doing, says Georgia Aitaki.
– Beyond academic discussions, we look forward to seeing participants actively shape the conference experience together in various interactive formats, says Doris Posch.
Key-note speakers at Transforming Passions
The conference will include a number of keynote speakers, artists and speakers to share their thoughts, challenges, potentials and visions of Transforming Passions from various fields of expertise and disciplines.
– The invited speakers and artists will both highlight the ongoing processes and becomings of Geomedia over the years, and will also provide a promising outlook to the futures of Geomedia, says Georgia Aitaki.
And the participants – what will they experience during the conference?
– Participants of Transforming Passions can expect an engaging and dynamic conference experience, filled with a rich density of invited scholars and artists, says Doris Posch. The program features presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, masterclasses and debates.
Ten years of Geomedia at Karlstad University
More than just an academic gathering, the conference is also a celebration - culminating in a closing party that marks our 10-year anniversary. We aim to create a welcoming and joyful environment where participants can connect, exchange ideas, and discover new approaches to knowledge-sharing.
If you feel like you would like to listen to multiple perspectives, share your thoughts and engage in visions of Transforming Passions, you are most welcome to submit your idea until 28 April 2025.
We look much forward to welcoming you at Transforming Passions from 17—19 September 2025 in Karlstad, Sweden.
