The Global Strategic Communication Consortium held its 2025 conclave — an exclusive event that brings together top scholars to explore the future of strategic communication through the lenses of ethics, technology, and public engagement — from March 9–13 in Sardinia, Italy.
With nearly 30 participants attending in person, the conclave is intentionally small, fostering deep discussion and collaboration. Unlike traditional academic conferences, this gathering avoids simultaneous sessions, ensuring that all attendees engage with every presentation and dialogue.
Professor Shannon Bowen is one of the co-founders of the GSCC and works to ensure the brightest minds in strategic communications are part of the organization.
“All the members are vetted, top scholars. Almost everybody has more than 100 publications,” says Bowen. The organization is also providing mentorship for faculty members who are in the earlier stages of their careers.
Exploring “The Risk of Communication”
This year’s theme, “The Risk of Communication,” focused on how organizations, from governments to businesses, communicate during natural disasters and crises. The event placed a strong emphasis on ethics, with nearly every paper incorporating elements of artificial intelligence, highlighting how emerging technologies intersect with communication challenges in times of emergency.
Participants heard from keynote speaker David S. Ebert, Ph.D., associate vice president for research and partnerships and director of the Data Institute for Societal Challenges at the University of Oklahoma.
Global Support and New Tools
Sardinia was selected in part due to ongoing partnerships with Italian institutions. Government officials attended and sponsored several events, including meals and receptions. The conclave will debuted a new interactive app, donated by the Association for Measurement and Evaluation in Communication, which will provide real-time updates, session details and sponsor recognition.
In addition to in-person discussions, GSCC distributed a 60-page printed program featuring abstracts from over 50 scholars. While some authors could not attend due to travel restrictions, their contributions remained part of the broader conversation.
This year’s GSCC conclave was planned so that attendees could also participate in the European Communication Research and Educations Association’s conference titled “The good, the bad and the ugly: Contemporary challenges for organizational and strategic communication” held at the University of Cagliari from May 14-16, 2025.
A Handbook for the Future
Coinciding with the event was the launch of the GSCC’s new peer-reviewed handbook, which features 34 chapters by 60 authors. The book covers topics ranging from AI and ethics to crisis communication, transhumanism and sustainable energy. “Designed for graduate students, academics, and practitioners, the handbook aims to shape the next era of communication research and teaching,” says Bowen, who edited the handbook.
Looking Ahead
Founded by scholars seeking more forward-looking dialogue, the GSCC is driven by a desire to move beyond stagnant conference models. Future conclaves are already planned, with Lisbon, Portugal set to host in 2026 under the theme of “Public Responsibility and Government Communication for the Future.”
As global challenges — from AI to climate disasters — intensify, the GSCC’s work offers a vital platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical foresight in strategic communication.