The Faculty of Communication at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University hosted a critical meeting for the 3rd International Symposium to be held in May 2026. The Symposium Committee, formed within the faculty, convened online via Microsoft Teams on August 20, 2025.

The meeting's main agenda was the main theme, objectives, and organizational strategies of the 2026 symposium. After intensive discussion and evaluation, the committee members determined this year's symposium title as follows:

“From Alphabet to Algorithm: New Horizons in Global Communication”

An Inclusive Theme with Academic Strength

Participants at the meeting emphasized the academic strength, media appeal, and thematic comprehensiveness of this title. The symposium theme offers a broad framework that will bring together the fields of language, literature, culture, and communication with artificial intelligence, algorithms, digital media, disinformation, information security, and new technologies. The symposium series, which achieved success in the past with the themes "Digital Transformation and New Media" (2023) and "Artificial Intelligence and Hypermedia" (2024), aims to bring together a much broader academic community in Bolu in 2026.

Participation Targets Rising

According to decisions made by the commission, this year's symposium aims to attract over 200 paper submissions. Strong interest is expected from scholars from various disciplines (communication, social sciences, literature, linguistics, cultural studies, engineering, architecture, and technology). As in past symposiums, multidisciplinary participation will be at the forefront this year. The participant profile will include academics, as well as young researchers, and communication and technology experts.

Subtopics and Strategies

The meeting also determined the symposium's subtopics and areas of study. Among these:

Literature and storytelling in the digital age
Algorithms, artificial intelligence, and ethical boundaries
Disinformation and digital persuasion techniques
Science communication, climate crisis, and society
New media, 6G, virtual/mixed reality applications
Digital activism and global solidarity
Data visualization and artistic presentation techniques were highlighted.

Competing with Competitors, Bolu's Revitalization

The Commission emphasized that they are in "friendly competition" with other national and international organizations, but that this symposium raises the bar each year. The aim is for participants to not only make academic contributions but also to experience Bolu's cultural and natural atmosphere.

A Call to the Academic World

The 2026 International Symposium of the BAİBÜ Faculty of Communication will provide a broad platform for discussion and sharing for communication scientists, social science researchers, literary scholars, linguists, cultural scientists, and technology experts. With the decision taken at the end of the meeting, the scientific call for the symposium will be shared with the public soon.