James Dennis, alongside Jen Birks, Professor Katy Parry, Abi Rhodes, and Ellen Watts, is organising the Media and Politics Group section at the Political Studies Association (PSA) Annual International Conference, held at the University of Birmingham and Aston University from April 14-16, 2025.
Media and Politics at PSA 2025
The section will feature 30 presentations across eight panels, examining the impacts of economic, environmental, health, and (geo)political crises. The programme is available here. The conference theme, 'What Next?', will guide discussions on pressing political challenges (more info).
James Dennis on Youth Political Engagement
Dennis will also present findings from his monograph project in a paper titled "Disconnected but not disengaged? How social inequality shapes young people's experiences of political communication during the 2024 UK general election."
His research, based on 18 interviews, reveals that young people feel alienated from mainstream politics but engage actively with social issues via Instagram and TikTok. Despite avoiding traditional news, they remain politically aware, particularly on topics like mental health, education, and inequality.
Looking Ahead
The PSA Annual Conference serves as a key platform for examining the evolving role of media in politics. The Media and Politics Group continues to foster critical discussions, with CICANT researchers like Dennis contributing valuable insights.