iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Jean Burgess @jeanburgess.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

🚨CFP: The ADM+S Generative Authenticity project is hosting a small scholarly symposium on Authenticity, Generative AI and Synthetic Media on 6-7 May at QUT Kelvin Grove (and hybrid node). Short abstracts due 9 March. All info and the submission form: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com

CFP: ADM+S Generative Authenticity Symposium

Call for Papers Authenticity, Generative AI and Synthetic Media: An ADM+S Symposium 6-7 May 2026, QUT Kelvin Grove, Brisbane Authenticity is often at the centre of concer...

2108

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 17/02/2026

♾️ CFP OUT NOW: M/C Journal '#immortality' issue, edited by Angelique Nairn and Deepti Bhargava. Article submissions due 17 Apr. 2026; issue launch date 17 June 2026. #mcjournal ♾️ journal.media-cultur...

077

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Anthony Moser @anthonymoser.com · 17/02/2026

can people see how colonial this shit is bc whew buddy

37515

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Vote for hope in November! Toitū te Tiriti 🇳🇿 @mrjeffhowell.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Was looking for this website for a rellie and thought "maybe some people on bsky would like a car sticker or fence sign or whatever." So here you go. Also they look great! toitutetiriti.co.nz?syclid=cc6e7...

toitutetiriti.co.nz

Toitū Te Tiriti

Toitū Te Tiriti is tupuna inspired, tiriti led, mana motuhake driven and mokopuna focussed. Our intent is to demonstrate the beginning of a unified Aotearoa response to the Government’s assault on tan...

132

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Trans-Asian Transcultural Fandom @transasianfan.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

A few days left to submit your 500-word abstract for the Trans-Asian Transcultural Fandom Symposium 🫰 Deadline 📆 Feb 1 Find out more ▶️ transasianfan.wordpress.com We welcome your submissions 🫶 #CallForPapers #CFP #Fandom #FanStudies #AcademicSky #TransculturalFandom

069

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Dr Tara McAllister @taramcallister.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

I will be looking for an RA soon as my amazing postdoc has got a permanent role on our team. I will be looking for an emerging Māori researcher who has a social science background preferably :) dm me if you know of anyone or want to kōrero

26067

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Huge thank you to my amazing PhD supervisors Tama Leaver @tamaleaver.bsky.social and Crystal Abidin, as well as Eleanor Sandry @zigzaggery.space, and especially all of the friends and colleagues whose support helped me reach this dream milestone. 💖 Excited for what comes next!! ✨

031

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

In the thesis, I develop a grounded theory of "hyper-virtuality", arguing that the most successful virtual influencers are not those that seek to camouflage themselves as “real”, but rather those that embrace and celebrate the exceptionalism of their virtuality - ideas I intend to expand in future!

110

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

It combines a digital ethnography of 100+ virtual influencers across 11 platforms, interviews with their producers and industry stakeholders, and analysis of press, industry documents, and archival web, to chart virtual influencers' history, industry, and impact in the visual social media landscape.

100

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

My PhD project examines the phenomenon of "virtual influencers": fictional, animated characters that are native to social media, participate in visual social media cultures, and seek to accumulate the attention of online audiences, brands, and investors.

100

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

My PhD in Internet Studies was recently conferred by @curtinuniversity.bsky.social, so I'm thrilled to be starting 2026 as *Dr* Rachel Berryman! 🎓🥳 My PhD thesis, "Analysing Virtual Influencers", is now available online - you can download it here: hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937... 🧵Summary below:

3142

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 21/11/2025

🇦🇺 Really important piece by my @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleague @antmandan.bsky.social in @aunz.theconversation.com on the ways that teenagers can protect themselves from the incredible damage to their lives that @albomp.bsky.social’s impending #SocialMediaBan will wreak.

theconversation.com

Australia is about to ban under-16s from social media. Here’s what kids can do right now to prepare

Download your data, make plans to stay connected to friends, and decide where you’re going next.

2148

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

This free online event hosted by @newcastleyouth.bsky.social is happening tomorrow (Nov 19) at 2pm AWST/5pm AEDT! Join this expert panel discussing young people's selfie cultures and the short documentary ‘Filtered Reality’ - registration via the link below! 🤳✨

010

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Digital Child @digitalchildau.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

📢 Call for Papers! AJEC invites abstracts for a special issue on children’s perspectives in their digital childhoods 🌍💻 📅 Abstracts due: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 📧 s.danby@qut.edu.au Susan Danby, | i.silva@qut.edu.au Irina Silva

001

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Mark Stewart (he/him) @mediamarknz.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

We're looking for a new colleague in Media and Creative Technologies at the University of Waikato (L or SL level). Feel free to ask me any questions you might have, and circulate to anyone relevant! elhs.fa.ap1.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

elhs.fa.ap1.oraclecloud.com

Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Media and Creative Technologies

Teach film/media theory & production, mentor students, and contribute to research in Media & Creative Technologies at Te Kura Toi School of Arts.

056

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

tbh I think Microsoft is going to blink right before October 14, and if they don’t… well, that’s a very, very bad decision on their part.

1512540

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Stephanie Harkin @saharkin.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

My book is out! 💗 Girlhood Games: Gender, Identity and Coming of Age in Videogames is a 6-year-long labour of love for young adult stories, teen heroines in videogames and unnoticed girly game histories. Thank you @livvy.itch.io for the beautiful cover! www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...

Book cover for "Girlhood Game: Gender, Identity, and Coming of Age in Video Games." A youthful feminine bedroom is depicted, centring on a computer desk setup with game accessories.

510033

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Bertha Chin (she/her) @berthac.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

If you’re 18 or older, and have purchased makeup or beauty products based on your fandom (e.g licensed tie-ins or fan-run brands, small businesses, etc), my friend and colleague, Suzanne Scott is looking for you to answer a short survey with an opt-in for a follow up interview.

QR code to be scanned with a question: “Do you own fandom-related makeup or beauty products

1810

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Kate @knhannah.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

There is a tiny independent bookshop that specialises in romance that’s opened in Remuera. Went there today with Ms 21, just delightful. A great selection & a lovely spot to visit. enamouredbooks.co.nz highly recommended in these trying times.

enamouredbooks.co.nz

Enamoured Books

Enamoured Books is a romantic bookstore haven created just for you. We pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of books where everyone can find a story they see themselves in - from relationship t...

54519

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Kylie @styla73.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Our opening policy position reads:

22410

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Dr Naomi Jacobs @ladylark.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I'm really excited that a collection of fascinating work on fandom, fans and AI that @suzannerblack.bsky.social and I co-edited is out today in the new volume of @journal.transformativeworks.org - and as the journal's first 'New Currents' section! Read our editorial here doi.org/10.3983/twc....

doi.org

Fans and AI: Transformations in fandom and fan studies | Transformative Works and Cultures

02819

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Dr Rebecca Williams @augustaquarius.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Call for Abstracts: 2026 CDCS Symposium “Good Vibes Only? How Affects and Emotions Are Mediated for Justice in Digital Culture” www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/...

asc.upenn.edu

Call for Abstracts: 2026 CDCS Symposium

0511

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Taylor Hardwick @darthtayrah.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

✨I’m recruiting for a research project on game monetisation!✨ I’m keen to chat to game devs about how monetisation shapes the dev process. Interviews will be 60mins via Zoom. To learn more, head to bit.ly/40mOB3f if you'd like to participate, shoot me a DM or email taylor.hardwick@sydney.edu.au 😊

01819

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

DIZH @dizh.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

How do platforms shape the way we see, share & react to images? Join React & Respond, international conference on image cultures under platform capitalism, October 2–4. Open to all, register now: www.zhdk.ch/veranstaltun... @bildoperationen.bsky.social @zhdk.bsky.social @zkk-zurich.bsky.social

Poster for the international conference React & Respond. Image Cultures under Platform Capitalism, October 2–4, 2025, in Zurich. The design features a bright blue background with layered white triangles and bold black text. White curved arrows connect the words across the poster. Logos of the University of Zurich and Zurich University of the Arts appear at the bottom.

1136

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Hao Zheng @hao-zheng.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Glad to share my new publication in The Sociological Review: "Queer milestones: Intergenerational relations and youth transitions of Chinese queer female students residing overseas" (open access). doi.org/10.1177/0038...

doi.org

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

132

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Retro Tech Dreams @retrotechdreams.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

The Sims (2000)

725234

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Krysten Stein, PhD @krystenstein.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Now that the ink is dry, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially signed the contract for my first academic book with University of California Press! I feel incredibly lucky and honored that @michellelipinski.bsky.social reached out after encountering my dissertation—we immediately

4483

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Ahh, what incredible news!!! Congratulations, Krysten!! Cannot wait to read it!! 😍🥳🎉

010

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Tama Leaver @tamaleaver.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Huge props to @researchbrb.bsky.social who not only co-organised and co-hosted a whole event on Virtual Influencers, but also gave ab absolutely kick-ass final talk in the event, showcasing the depth and maturing of her own work on Virtual Influencers!

open slide 'Framing Virtual Influencers' by Rachel Berryman

021

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Super excited about this free upcoming online event "Virtual Influencers in the Asia Pacific", happening on Tuesday 08 April, 1400-1700hrs AWST (GMT+8). 🥳 For more info, including registration (essential!), event schedule and presenter bios, head to ierlab.com/virtual-infl...

Event poster for "Virtual Influencers in the Asia Pacific", a free online event presented by the Influencer Ethnography Research Lab on 8 April 2025 from 1400-1700 hours GMT+8. Registration is open now, more information can be found at www.ierlab.com

052

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Nicolle Lamerichs @nicolleness.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Affect in fandom is out! 🥳 We LOVED working with authors on this volume on fandom, transmedia and games. This collection tackles creativity & content made by fans - their history AND their future (e.g. sustainable design). Download for free! 💜 #fanstudies library.oapen.org/handle/20.50...

86637

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Blake Hallinan @blakeplease.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

What is your favorite academic research on YouTube? I’m working on a list (for its belated 20th birthday 🎂) and would love some recommendations #commsky

463

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

@persephone.blue (2023) "#Answerusyoutube: predatory influencers and cross-platform insulation" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... @zizilizizi.bsky.social (2023) "Digital Domestic (Im)material Labor: Managing Waste and Self While Producing Closet Decluttering Videos" doi.org/10.1177/1527...

130

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Jorge et al. (2018) "‘I am not being sponsored to say this’: a teen youtuber and her audience negotiate branded content" obs.obercom.pt/index.php/ob... Barbetta (2022) "Ghosts of YouTube: Rules and conventions in Japanese YouTube content creation outsourcing" onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

120

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Lobato (2016) "The cultural logic of digital intermediaries: YouTube multichannel networks" journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... Hou (2018) "Social media celebrity and the institutionalization of YouTube" journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

120

✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨ @researchbrb.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Every article Sophie Bishop's written about YouTube (🤩🔥), with other special mentions:

130

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Fan Studies Network @fanstudies.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Call for chapters for an edited volume published by Amsterdam University Press, tentatively titled Cozy Media. The book will investigate the various meanings of coziness across media. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ cozymedia.net/call-for-pap...

cozymedia.net

Call for Chapters

We are seeking chapter contributions for an edited volume published by Amsterdam University Press, tentatively titled Cozy Media. The book will investigate the various meanings of coziness across m…

11212

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Jodi McAlister @jodimca.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Thrilled to finally be able to reveal the cover of my new book - An Academic Affair, the story of two Anne-and-Gilbert-esque academic rivals who find themselves in a marriage of convenience so they can take advantage of a partner hire clause in the broken jobs market. Pre-order links below! 💙🩷

A pink graphic featuring the cover of An Academic Affair. It's blue, featuring cartoon images of a red-headed white woman and a dark-haired white man in glasses glaring at each other. They're both holding a large stack of books. On the graphic, the words "coming 4 June 2025" appear below the cover.

147918

Reposted by ✨ Rachel (she/her) ✨

Retro Tech Dreams @retrotechdreams.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Take me back to the future 😎

1346077