The Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) is seeking proposals for one-or two-day AoIR Flashpoint Symposia to take place before the end of August 2027. As the 2027 AoIR conference takes place in Rimini, Italy, a preference is given to proposals for locations outside of Europe and North- America. An AoIR Flashpoint Symposium is a small event that provides an opportunity to deepen or foster conversations about internet research among regions, groups, and/or thematic research areas that have thus far been underrepresented in the Association of Internet Researchers and its conferences. The Association is making available funding of up to US$8,000 for the purpose of supporting a maximum two-day symposium that will contribute to the life and mission of AoIR and feed into its annual conference. Each symposium will be a standalone event to take place in a region of the world that differs from that of the 2027 annual conference. Preference will be given to regions and locations where an AoIR conference has not yet been held, but where at least one active AoIR member, who will be on the Flashpoint Symposium planning committee, resides. We also require that the symposium make a contribution to the main 2027 AoIR conference in some way (e.g., a panel, pre-conference workshop, or another format that presents key contributions and outcomes from the symposium). In addition to local participants, all AoIR members are invited to attend the Flashpoint Symposium. Deadline for the submission of this proposal is 2 November 2026, with a decision returned as soon as possible. Proposals should be emailed to symposia [at] aoir [dot] org by 2 November, 2026. Proposers are invited to engage in conversation with Sarah T. Roberts (prez [at] aoir [dot] org) and Andra Siibak (vp [at] aoir [dot] org) if you have questions or anything you’d like to discuss. Proposals should: * Be no more than 1-2 pages in length. * Outline a distinct issue or theme to be addressed by the symposium. * Include a proposed date(s) (between 1 April and 31 August) and schedule for the one- or two-day event, and identify potential keynote speakers (keeping in mind AoIR’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity). Note: the proposal should ideally not suggest parallel sessions but rather envision a day of consecutive sessions (i.e. a single stream only). * Include a brief description of the leadership team’s history with AoIR and their plans for future involvement. * Demonstrate how this Flashpoint Symposium will connect with AoIR more broadly. * Include a preliminary budget that demonstrates in-kind support and/or sponsorship from the host institution(s) and creates a preliminary plan for cost items. Please note that AoIR funding is not to be allocated for the funding of participant travel costs, staff costs in support of the symposium’s organization, or indirect costs (such costs must be borne by local sponsorship), but may include keynote honoraria, travel of keynote speakers, meals, venue or labor costs. * Indicate how regional and transnational graduate students will be encouraged to participate. * Include a discussion of projected outcomes from this symposium and its potential for ongoing benefit to AoIR more broadly (e.g., AoIR conference panel, special issue, etc.). A selection of organizers and delegates should make a firm commitment to present key contributions and outcomes from the Flashpoint Symposium at the year’s annual conference AoIR’s commitment to the symposium will include: * Support for promotion and administration through our various channels and platforms (e.g. via organization social media accounts and email lists), as well as limited AoIR administrative support. * Up to $8,000 USD disbursed in the form of reimbursements and invoices to cover costs related to organizing the symposium. * Mentorship from members of AoIR Executive Committee related to the organization of the symposium and subsequent deliverables/outcomes. * Allocation of one session slot (panel, roundtable, fishbowl, experimental session, or pre-conference workshop) on the annual AoIR conference program to the symposium organizers. This session is invited and will be planned jointly by the symposium organizers, the AoIR Executive Committee, and the AoIR Conference organizers in order to present the symposium’s major themes and outcomes. It must involve several participants selected from among the organizers, keynote speakers, and/or other participants of the symposium in order to allow the symposium conversation to continue at the main annual conference. Proposals will be ranked in relation to their ability to: * Advance AoIR’s goal of diversification of membership and the expansion of geographical presence at the annual AoIR conference. * Address a theme, topic, or issue not yet prominent in AoIR’s annual conferences. * Demonstrate a commitment to encouraging graduate student participation, particularly from those in the host region. * Demonstrate capacity for carrying out the symposium in a manner that contributes to the benefit of AoIR and the individual organizer(s). * Demonstrate a commitment to present outcomes at the annual AoIR conference. This listing does not imply any ranking in the importance of these requirements. Please submit your proposals to symposia [at] aoir [dot] org by 2 November 2026. Best, Emerson (she/her) AoIR Communications and Membership Coordinator ac@aoir.org<mailto:ac@aoir.org> Looking for Michelle? After nine years, Michelle has officially stepped down from her position at AOIR. I'm Emerson, and I'll be stepping in to continue her work. As I'm sure anyone familiar with Michelle knows, I have big shoes to fill, and I appreciate your patience as I get up to speed!