emma 2026

Welcome to the emma 2026 Conference, hosted by LUT Business School in Lappeenranta, Finland! We are delighted to invite you to join the European Media Management Association (emma) community for this landmark event — the first emma annual conference ever held in Finland.

At LUT University, we combine technology, business, and social sciences to drive sustainable renewal and innovation with real societal impact. Media management research is central to this mission, exploring how responsible transformation and ethical leadership can strengthen media and democracy.

Conference Theme: “Media Protecting Democracy and Building Trust in a Divided and Fragmented World”

Our world is increasingly defined by geopolitical divides, polarization, audience fragmentation, and the disruptive power of generative artificial intelligence. These forces challenge not only the economics of media but also the very foundations of trust, transparency, and democratic communication.

While AI can amplify disinformation and deepen polarization, it also holds great promise for helping media organizations develop new sustainable business models, enhance editorial integrity, and strengthen public trust.

emma2026 will bring together scholars and practitioners to explore how media systems and organizations can protect democracy, uphold independence, and remain economically viable in an age of fragmentation and AI disruption. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and practice-oriented contributions that advance our understanding of resilient, innovative, and mission-driven media.

Join us for a vibrant and collegial conference experience in the scenic lake city of Lappeenranta!

We look forward to welcoming you to Finland in May 2026.

The emma 2026 Organizing Committee

Päivi Maijanen (Conference Chair)
Azzurra Morreale
Jarno Pasonen
Kaisa Pekkala
Amanda Piepponen