In 2026, the Besides the Screen conference returns to the city of Ningbo to explore the ways audiences, subjects and agents are distributed and negotiated across borders – whether institutional, spatial, linguistic or technological. We begin from the premise that the concept of the passive media audience has always been a myth. Nowadays, it would be difficult to find a situation where viewers are not doing anything, even if it is just scrolling on their phones during a streaming marathon. Novel media forms are teeming with opportunities to participate, interact, share with our friends, and likely gamble. Audience reactions have become a popular genre in itself and just look at all the chaos fans make at movie theatre sing-alongs. Can these be spaces of solidarity and creativity? The same technologies that empower amateur filmmakers and influencers make each user a potential promotional node to be mobilized. If most internet traffic is automated, does it even matter if the content is tailored for bots and search engine optimization?
Conference Information
Full program and proceedings can be found HERE.
Location & Travel (UNNC webpage) – https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/about/contact-us.aspx
Campus Map – https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/about/documents/campus-map/unnc-campus-map-20251016.pdf – enter via Gate 1
Money
China is a (mostly) cash-less country; thus, it is a good idea to sign-up for Alipay or WeChat and transfer money to your accounts before coming to China, since you might need assistance from your bank. (For instructions, please search YouTube, etc.)
Visas
Please contact the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in your resident country for information regarding: 1. If you need a visa; or, 2. What information, documents (etc.) is required to apply for a visa.
Phone, Internet, etc.
At major international airports, Chinese SIM cards are sold at a counter before leaving Customs; since it is very difficult to get a SIM card, you are advised to get one before leaving the airport. Another option is to get a data plan that works in China; please search Google, YouTube (etc.) for companies that provide this service (i.e. airalo.com) . Finally, please remember that some websites are blocked in China (i.e. Gmail, Google Maps, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.)
Eduroam is available on the UNNC campus. If you are a student or a staff member of a university or other educational intuition, you might already have access to Eduroam (please contact your IT service unit for further information). (Gmail, Facebook, WhatsApp are accessible via UNNC’s Eduroam).
Travel Information
There are many apps that can be used to book trains, flights, and hotel rooms. Trip.com has an English interface and access to English-language support (trip.com).