Poster Competition – Call for Abstracts

The Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS) at Concordia University invites submissions for the Poster Competition held as part of the Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides Annual Conference. 

This poster competition aims to provide students and early-career researchers with an opportunity to present emerging research, receive feedback from an interdisciplinary audience, and engage with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers working on migration, technology, and social inclusion. 

Eligibility 

The poster competition is open to: 

  • PhD students affiliated with the Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides initiative 

  • Early career scholars affiliated with Bridging Divides, including: 

  • Postdoctoral fellows 

  • Research associates 

  • Assistant professors 

  • Concordia University graduate students 

Applicants must be the primary investigators of the research presented. Supervisors, advisors, and collaborators may be acknowledged as co-authors where appropriate. 

Selected candidates must be available to present their posters in person on May 20 and May 21, 2026. 

Alignment with Bridging Divides Research Themes 

Submitted posters must align with the Bridging Divides research agenda and the 2026 conference theme: 

From Departure to Belonging: Advanced digital technologies between empowerment, control and exclusion in migration journeys 

We seek projects whose research examines how emerging technologies, including AI, are reshaping migration, work, and community life, and whose work aligns with one of our four interdisciplinary focus areas: 

  1. Citizenship and civic participation 

  1. The future of work 

  1. Healthcare 

  1. Responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies in migration 

A particular attention will be paid to projects on: 

  • Digital technologies and migration decision-making 

  • Algorithmic governance, surveillance, and mobility control 

  • Online immigration and asylum processes 

  • Digital labour platforms and migrant work 

  • Technology, integration, and belonging 

  • Algorithmic bias, exclusion, and digital inequality 

Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches are strongly encouraged. 

Poster Training Session 

All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an online academic poster training session: 

March 11, 2026 (online) 

This session will provide guidance on designing effective academic posters and communicating research to diverse audiences. 

More information to come

Submission Guidelines 

Applicants must submit an abstract describing their research. 

Abstract requirements: 

  • Maximum length: Abstracts must be no longer than 2 pages including reference 

  • Clearly state the research question, methods, and relevance to the Bridging Divides theme 

  • Include title, author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information 

Submit your application here.

Important Dates 

  • Call launches: January 12, 2026 

  • Online poster training session: March 11, 2026 

  • Abstract submission deadline: April 1, 2026 

  • Results announced: April 27, 2026 

  • Final poster-ready abstract due: May 18, 2026 

  • Poster presentations: May 20–21, 2026 

Poster Presentations 

Accepted participants will be required to: 

  • Prepare a poster based on the accepted abstract 

  • Be present during assigned poster sessions on May 20 and May 21, 2026 

  • Engage with conference participants during the poster sessions 

Detailed poster format and display instructions will be shared with selected candidates. 

Awards 

Awards will be granted to the top three presenters, as selected by a jury composed of members of the conference organizing committee. 

Evaluation criteria will include: 

  • Relevance to the Bridging Divides research themes 

  • Clarity and quality of research presentation 

  • Visual design and accessibility of the poster 

  • Ability to communicate research to an interdisciplinary audience 

About the Conference 

Hosted by the Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS) at Concordia University, the 2026 Bridging Divides Annual Conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and leaders from academia, civil society, business, and government to examine how advanced digital technologies reshape migration journeys—from departure decisions to long-term integration and belonging. 

Concordia University is a partner institution in the Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides research initiative, led by Toronto Metropolitan University in collaboration with the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta, and funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). 

Contact Information 

For questions regarding the poster competition or submissions, please contact: 

irms@concordia.ca 

Poster Competition