INTERSECT 26 Two Day International Multidisciplinary Conference

INTERSECT’26 – International Multidisciplinary Conference
Theme: Memory, Modernity, Media: From Archives to Algorithm
Dates: 16–17 February 2026
Mode: Hybrid (Offline at Theatre & Research Centre; Online via Google Meet and YouTube Live)
The PG Department of English Language and Literature, GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Ramapuram, successfully organized INTERSECT’26, a two-day International Multidisciplinary Conference on 16th and 17th February 2026. The conference explored the evolving relationship between memory, modernity, and media, focusing on the shift from traditional archives to algorithm-driven digital cultures. It brought together scholars, faculty members, research scholars, and students from across India and abroad to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue spanning literature, media studies, sociology, cultural studies, and technology.
The conference commenced with the inaugural session on 16 February 2026 at 10:00 AM. The Welcome Address was delivered by Ms. Sulthana Afrosa PP (HoD), followed by an introduction to the theme by Mr. Rihas KT. The inaugural address was delivered by Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University, who spoke on the fragmentation of the global media landscape, the decline of authority, and the rise of polarization in digital knowledge production. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. B. G. Unni, Academic and Research Director, GEMS ASC (Autonomous). Felicitations were offered by dignitaries of the institution, and the session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Shibila A, Assistant Professor and Conference Coordinator.
The plenary sessions across two days featured distinguished speakers. On Day 1, S. A. Ajims (Senior News Editor, MediaOne) spoke on “Entering the Conversation: Memory, Modernity and Media.” On Day 2, Dr. K. M. Sherrif (Retd. Associate Professor, University of Calicut) delivered a lecture titled “Social Media: Alice’s Wonderland and Nightmare?”, and Avinash Kumar (Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University) addressed the theme “Neoliberal Globalisation and Imperialism of the Mind.” The sessions were chaired by eminent academicians from various institutions, ensuring rigorous academic engagement.
A major highlight of INTERSECT’26 was the paper presentation sessions conducted in both online and offline modes. A total of 68 papers were presented (27 online and 41 offline), covering diverse areas such as digital memory, algorithmic culture, AI, trauma studies, postcolonialism, platform culture, cinema studies, gender and queer theory, ecological trauma, and subaltern studies. The sessions reflected strong interdisciplinary participation and critical engagement with contemporary media ecologies.
The valedictory session on 17 February 2026 included the Conference Report presentation, participant reflections, and certificate distribution. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Shibila A.
INTERSECT’26 was a resounding success, fostering meaningful academic exchange on memory, media, and modernity. The hybrid format ensured inclusivity and wider participation, reinforcing GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous) as a vibrant centre for interdisciplinary research and scholarly dialogue.