Reflecting on IS|CS 2025

Last Friday, the Intersections | Cross-Sections (IS|CS) 2025 Conference brought together a dynamic gathering of scholars, artists, and researchers to explore critical intersections of media, culture, and technology. Organized entirely by students, this annual event continues to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. With a hybrid format that welcomed participants both in person at the The Catalyst and online, IS|CS 2025 upheld its 20-year tradition of fostering interdisciplinary graduate scholarship.

A Day of Thought-Provoking Discussions

The conference opened with a fascinating keynote from Dr. Jason Boyd, ComCult professor and Director of TMU’s Centre for Digital Humanities. His talk, "The Ludic Edition: Playful Futures for Digital Scholarly Editing," explored how principles of play and interactivity can shape the future of digital textual scholarship.

From there, attendees engaged in a diverse lineup of panel discussions, covering topics such as:

• Memory, Affect, and the Digital World – Exploring how digital technologies shape our emotional and historical narratives.
• Dis/Ability and Representation – Examining the ways media constructs and challenges disability narratives.
• Platforms, Politics, and Power – A deep dive into digital activism, misinformation, and social media influence.
• Borders, Belonging, and Migration – Addressing global and national policies through critical and artistic lenses.
• Creative Industries and Cultural Capitalism – Investigating the evolving nature of digital labor, indie game development, and music industries.

Attendees also enjoyed an artist talk over lunch, networking sessions, and an engaging closing event by the SORCE Collective (external link) , which showcased research-creation as a form of critical engagement.

The Power of Hybrid Engagement

With most presentations available both online and in person, IS|CS 2025 provided an accessible and interactive platform for dialogue. The hybrid model allowed for a truly global and inclusive exchange of ideas.

A Heartfelt Thank You

None of this would have been possible without the incredible conference team. A huge thank you to the conference co-chairs, Laine and Fernanda, whose leadership and dedication brought this event to life. We’re also deeply grateful to the session moderators and volunteers, whose behind-the-scenes efforts ensured a smooth and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the success of IS|CS 2025, we’re excited to carry these conversations forward. To everyone who participated, presented, and supported IS|CS 2025—thank you for making this event a success. We look forward to seeing you at IS|CS 2026!