Program
Narrative Convergence: Technology and Culture
Date: 19 - 20 August 2025
Location: Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University, Zhuhai, China
Organized by Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, BNBU
Co-Sponsored by IAMCR
Co-Sponsored by Center for Creative Media and Communication Research, BNBU
19 August 2025
8:30-9:15 Registration (Location: T2-301)
9:15-9:45 Open Ceremony (Location: T2-202)
9:45-10:30 Keynote (Location: T2-202)
Professor Jussi Holopainen: Remediating the Classics in the Age of Generative AI: Case Hong Lou Meng
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break (Location: T2-301)
11:00-12:30 Panel 1: Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality (Location: T2-301)
Kara Chan, and Shing Chi Ho: A Thematic Analysis of Hong Kong Media Reporting on a Virtual Idol: Hatsune Miku
Yushan Li: Virtual Realities of Vanishing Memories: Reconstructing Disappearing Amusement Parks and Cultural Identity in China
Anthony Kueppers (Online): The Pharmacology of AI-Generated Voices of the Dead
12:30-14:00 Lunch (Location: T2-202)
14:00-15:30 Panel 2: Community and Digital Media (Location: T2-301)
Yuyuan Zhuo, Yanshen Huang, and Runping Zhu: Engaging Communities Through Interactive Narratives: The Role of Local Governments in New Media Communication
Jiyu Zhang, and Qingning Wang: ‘Trust the Process’: The Negotiation between Capitals and Narratives in China’s CrossFit Culture
Dan Zeng, Yilin Luo, and Yilin Luo: Digital Reclamation of Grassroots Heritage: An Innovative Interactive Media Project to Preserve Tsang Tsou-choi's Graffiti
Yifan Wang, and Changwen Chen: Grassroots Media, Southern Knowledge: Narrating Shenzhen’s Independent Smartphone Repair through Participatory Art
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break (Location: T2-202)
16:00-17:30 Panel 3: Video games in China (Location: T2-301)
Shuangfei Wu: Food in Games as an Extension of Interactivity: The Case of Genshin Impact
Hang Cai: Pastoral Paintings at Fingertips: How Stardew Valley Players Sketch a “Healing” Utopia in Participatory Culture Arena
Yutong Xiong: Justice: The Cultural Landscape of Symbiosis and Conflict between Traditional Culture Heritage and Sci-Fi Elements in Interactive Media from the Perspective of Social Semiotics
Jifan Zeng: A Study on the Factors Affecting the Satisfaction of Middle-aged and Elderly People with Games from the Perspective of Media Affordance: A Case of Online Chess and Card Games
20 August 2025
9:00-9:45 Keynote (Location: T2-202)
Professor Peter Nelson: From Audience to Player: Transforming Media Walls into Game Spaces
9:45-10:15 Coffee Break (Location: T2-301)
10:15-11:45 Panel 4: Black Myth Wukong (Location: T2-301)
Junliang Li, and Jingyan Lin: ‘Be the REAL Wukong’: Cross-media Affordance and Cultural Justification to Extended Play in Chinese Video Game Black Myth: Wukong
Jinghan Zhou, Jiashuo Niu, Xianhe Peng, Xiaoxiao Wei, Yingmin Lai, and Bairan Wang: ‘How Absurd and Pathetic’: A Multimodal Analysis of the Nosense! As a Cutscene in Black Myth: Wukong
Xun Luo: Beyond diversity, equity and inclusion: How the global gaming community negotiates cultural meanings and industry norms in Black Myth: Wukong
Markus Joohs, and Saba Batool: Soft Power and Storylines: The Influence of Chinese Games and Gamer Culture on European Perceptions of China
11:45-12:15 Closing Ceremony (Location: T2-301)
12:15-13:30 Lunch (Location: T2-202)
13:30-14:00 Travel to Xishanju (Location: Z82 bus station in the campus)
14:15-14:45 Industry Sharing (Location: Xishanju)
Duoliang Sun: Game Narrative Design Sharing (游戏叙事设计分享)
14:45-16:15 Visiting Xishanju (Location: Xishanju)
Queries
For any queries, please contact [email protected]
Conference Committee
Dr Hao Sun ([email protected])
Dr Mengqi Li ([email protected])
Dr Anilesh Kumar ([email protected])
Conference Hosts
In a groundbreaking full-scale collaboration in higher education between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) was established in 2005. Situated in Zhuhai City within the thriving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, BNBU stands as the first modern university in the Chinese mainland to champion a liberal arts education. BNBU is committed to enriching the higher education landscape and fostering students who possess professional acumen, whole-person development, a deep understanding of China and a global outlook.
This conference is co-sponsored by the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). The IAMCR promotes media and communication research throughout the world, addressing socio-political, technological, policy and cultural processes. The strong academic and professional experience of its members and their diverse geographical and cultural origins are the main strengths of the association.
