The 9th Taylor's International Search Conference 2026

19 October 2026 - 20 October 2026

Taylor's University Lakeside Campus

Shaping the Future of Media and Communication

As media, technology, and artificial intelligence continue to redefine how we create, communicate, and connect, the 9th Taylor's International SEARCH Conference 2026 brings together researchers, academics, industry leaders, and practitioners to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow's media landscape.

Through thought-provoking discussions, research presentations, keynote sessions, and industry engagement, the conference provides a platform to exchange knowledge, inspire collaboration, and advance meaningful conversations on the future of communication.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

AGENDA

CALL FOR PAPERS

CONFERENCE RATES

Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

_{BERNAMA Sabah Biro Journalist}

Challenges of Journalism in the Digital Age of AI: Reflections from the Newsroom Frontlines

Saiful Aziman Mazlan

_{Head of External Content Funding Sub-Unit, RTM}

Storytelling of AI Through Broadcasting and Its Usage

Dr Irfan Hameed

_{Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, Taylor's University}

Anchoring the Hook: Crafting and Analysing High-Impact Research Introductions

Dr Nurzihan Hassim

_{Senior Lecturer, Centre for Research in Media and Communication, UKM}

Exploring Lived Experiences: Reflections and Lessons from Qualitative Research

Portrait photo for Mohamad Noor Salehuddin Sharipudin

Dr Mohamad Noor Salehuddin Sharipudin

_{Programme Coordinator, Master in Corporate Communication, Fakulti Bahasa Moden dan Komunikasi, UPM}

Advancing Research in Digital Media, Marketing, and Strategic Communication Through Action Research

Mr Boon Seong Lim

_{Chief for Global, Government and Public Affairs, Air Asia Group}

Marketing Beyond Advertising: Building Brands That Matter in the Digital Age

Professor Dr Cherian George

_{Professor, Media and Politics, Hong Kong Baptist University}

Discourse, Evolution of Time, Media

Mr Ashwad Ismail

_{Director-General of Broadcasting Malaysia}

From Virality to Intelligence: AI’s Role in Media Disruption and Education

Professor Dr Darren Bagnall

_{Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Taylor’s University}

From Virality to Intelligence: AI’s Role in Media Disruption and Education

Associate Professor Dr Katharina Wolf

_{Associate Professor and Strategic Communication Lead, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Australia}

Public Relations in the Age of Algorithms: Managing Stakeholder Relationships Across Generations

Jeremy Ng Kok Shern

_{Communication Lead, TikTok Malaysia}

TikTok’s #ThinkTwice Digital Literacy Initiative in Malaysia

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Opening Speech

By Professor Dr Barry Winn, Vice-Chancellor and President, Taylor’s University

9:10 AM - 9:25 AM

Welcoming Speech

By Professor Dr Adrian Lee Yuen Beng, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University

9:25 AM - 9:40 AM

Officiating Speech and Ceremony to Open the SEARCH Conference

9:40 AM - 9:45 AM

Opening Ceremony

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Tea Break

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Keynote 1

Discourse, Evolution of Time, Media (including Q&A) by Professor Dr Cherian George, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Parallel Session 1 and Poster Presentations (Audiences and Media Platforms)

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Industry Panel Session 1 (From Virality to Intelligence: AI’s Role in Media Disruption and Education)

By Professor Dr Darren Bagnall, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Taylor’s University and Ashwad Ismail, Director General of Broadcasting Malaysia

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Parallel Session 2 and Poster Presentations (Storytelling Across Media)

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Tea Break

5:15 PM - 7:00 PM

Workshop: Writing and Publishing Critical Media Scholarship

By Professor Dr Cherian George, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Dinner

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Taylor’s University Film Festival 2026 Opening Ceremony & Screening

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Registration

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Keynote 2 (Public Relations in the Age of Algorithms: Managing Stakeholder Relationships Across Generations)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Tea Break

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Parallel Session 3 and Poster Presentations (Technology and Media Futures)

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Industry Panel Session 2 (Crafting Narratives: Media Industry Platforms and Power Speakers)

By Jeremy Ng Kok Shern, Malaysia Communications Lead, TikTok Malaysia

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Parallel Session 4 and Poster Presentations (Media, Culture and Society)

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Tea Break

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Workshop: Securing International Grant by 2nd Keynote of the Day

By Associate Professor Dr Katharina Wolf, Curtin University, Australia

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM

SEARCH Conference Closing Ceremony

By Professor Dr Adrian Lee Yuen Beng, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University and Associate Professor Katharina Wolf, Curtin University, Australia

The 9th International SEARCH Conference invites research submissions exploring the shift from linear broadcasting to data-driven, algorithmic media. We welcome diverse perspectives on how these transitions impact communication, culture, and society across generations.

Audience and Media Platform

Journalism (news consumption, citizen journalism)
Broadcasting (audience engagement, live interaction)
Social and Digital Media
Advertising (consumer behaviors, influencers)
Public Relations (public engagement, reputation)

Media Power and Economics

Journalism (media ownership, press freedom)
Broadcasting (regulation, public vs commercial media)
Film and Music Industries (distribution, streaming)
Advertising (platform economics, monetisation)
Media Policy and Political Economy

Storytelling Across Media

Film (narrative, genre, transmedia)
Broadcasting / Television (formats, documentaries)
Music (music videos, sound narratives)
Journalism (feature & multimedia storytelling)
Advertising and Public Relations (brand storytelling)

Technology and Media Futures

Broadcasting (streaming, AI production)
Film & Music (virtual production, AI content)
Journalism (data journalism, automation)
Advertising & PR (AI targeting, analytics)
Immersive and Emerging Media (VR, AR, Metaverse)

Media, Culture and Society

Journalism (ethics, representation, global news)
Broadcasting (national identity, public discourse)
Film and Music (popular culture, diversity)
Advertising and PR (culture, social responsibility)
Media and Cultural Studies

Industry and Creative Practice

Broadcasting Production
Film & Music Production
Journalism Practice
Advertising Campaigns
Public Relations Strategy
Practice-Based and Applied Research

FOR ABSTRACT TEMPLATE

FOR FULL PAPER TEMPLATE

For Academic

Type	USD	MYR
Paper Presenter	USD 200	MYR 850
Additional Presenter	USD 130	MYR 550
Poster Presentation	USD 120	MYR 500

For Student

Type	USD	MYR
Paper Presenter	USD 100	MYR 450
Additional Presenter	USD 50	MYR 250
Poster Presentation	USD 80	MYR 350

For Industry/NGO

Type	USD	MYR
Paper Presenter	USD 150	MYR 650

For Attendees

Type	USD	MYR
Non-presenter	USD 50	MYR 250

Conference Secretariat

search.conference@taylors.edu.my

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