International Conferences and Platforms: An ethnography of communications and events practice in international organisations

International organisations play a key role in addressing global challenges through multilateral governance, with summits, conferences, and forums serving as enablers for collective action and decision-making. This research aims to produce a multi-sited ethnography of the strategic communications and event management practices that underpin summitry in international organisations.

The project will consider both the conferences themselves, as specific moments in space and time, as well as the underlying systems, daily work routines, and strategies that maintain the organisation as an important platform for discussion throughout the year. These may include digital products such as social networks, blogs, online forums, webinars, and workshops. The research will also examine the hybridisation of these practices, considering the implications of the integration of physical and digital spaces.

This research contributes to the literature on organisational visibility, transparency, public spheres, authority, trust, and community building. It does so amidst rising scrutiny and demands for inclusiveness in international organisations, the proliferation of world crises, and growing interest in the usefulness of international conferences to tackle wicked problems through cooperation.