The Tell.Me 2026 is the third International Symposium on Biographical Narratives in Arts, Media and Society, an international forum dedicated to (auto)biographical narratives in digital, artistic, and cultural contexts, promoting a multi-inter-transdisciplinary space for reflection, creation, and exchange between academic research, artistic and storytelling practices, and media experimentation. With a strong intercultural focus, the symposium connects three geographical and symbolic territories (Macau, Portimão, and São Paulo), aiming to embrace the four corners of the world and value plural perspectives on identity, memory, cultural diversity, media literacy and technological mediation.
The main objective of Tell.Me 2026 is to deepen the understanding of the role of personal and collective narratives in contemporary culture, particularly at the intersection of art, technology, education, and society. The symposium positions itself as a shared space for critical dialogue, the exchange of experiences, and the dissemination of innovative practices that explore the narrative potential of digital media.
Authors are invited to submit contributions within the symposium’s scope. Both research and application papers are relevant to Tell.Me 2026.
The symposium welcomes submissions of scientific papers, such as extended abstracts (two pages) or complete manuscripts as short papers up to four pages, as well as artistic or storytelling artefacts in audiovisual format for the virtual exhibition. Scientific articles can include academic works of a theoretical, methodological, or practice-based nature, including ongoing projects, case studies, and critical reflections within the (auto)biographical narratives field, broadly speaking.
Artefacts/artworks submitted for the exhibition must include an extended abstract providing a rationale, and a video in HD MP4 format lasting up to 5 minutes (with mandatory English subtitles). The video must be provided as a permanent link (optionally private). Please note that the symposium will feature a virtual exhibition (audiovisual) of artworks only.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Digital (auto)biographical narratives
- Digital storytelling and immersive media
- Art, technology, and cultural identity
- Media art and contemporary narrative practices
- Intercultural and post-colonial narratives
- Memory, archives, and digital cultural heritage
- Education, media literacy, and digital narratives
- Artificial intelligence and narrative processes
- Art, science, and cultural sustainability
- Digital platforms, networks, and narrative communities
- Transdisciplinary artistic practices
- Virtual and augmented reality and immersive experiences
- Interaction design applied to narrative
- Media and information literacy in urban spaces
- Ethics, diversity, and inclusion in digital media
Narratives and Stories
Narrators and ad hoc storytellers are encouraged to prepare and submit proposals for narratives or stories that highlight unique aspects of their past or present lives, as well as those of their neighbourhoods or societies, adopting a biographical approach and focusing on one or more of the following themes:
- Sociocultural context: Examination of the social, historical, and cultural environment, including significant events.
- Personal development and relationships: Review of personal growth, family, friendships, and other relationships.
- Contributions and achievements: Notable accomplishments and contributions.
- Challenges, overcoming, and legacy: Difficulties encountered, how they were surmounted, and the impact and legacy left by the storyteller.
- Cultural diversity aspects: Reflection on societal acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Avoid integrating any form of religious or political activism into your narrative/story.
Submissions will be evaluated by an International Scientific Committee composed of experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
The symposium programme will include oral presentations and a virtual exhibition of artefacts, fostering dialogue between research, creation, storytelling and literacy practices. The abstracts will be organised as a book of abstracts with an ISBN/DOI. Artefacts will be part of a curated virtual exhibition (TellMe Expo 2026).
The submission of an abstract or artefact implies the intention of at least one of the authors to register and present at the symposium or exhibit at the virtual expo. Abstracts accepted and presented at the symposium by one of the authors will appear in the book of abstracts. Artworks accepted for exhibition will be published in the book of abstracts, provided the authors submit an appropriate rationale describing each artwork.
Authors of the best abstracts in the conference (including rationales describing the artefacts) will be invited to submit full papers to one of the following journals (special editions):
- International Journal of Film and Media Arts (ISSN: 2183-9271), vol.12, no.1, 2027, Scopus Q2
- ROTURA – International Journal of Communication, Culture and the Arts (ISSN: 2184-8661), Scopus Q1, special issue 2027
- Journal of Science and Technologyof the Arts (ISSN: 1646-9798), Scopus Q2, special section 2027*
- E-Journal of Intercultural Studies (ISSN:2182-6439), Scopus Q4, special section 2027*
*journals under negotiation
Have a look at the special issue of ROTURA – International Journal of Communication, Culture and the Arts (ISSN: 2184-8661) with extended articles from Tell.Me 2024.
Related Links: