Details
#IKPK26 will take place on October 11 and 12, 2026, at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Academy!
Every fall, the International Conference on Political Communication brings together experts in Berlin to discuss the latest trends in political communication. This year, we’ll once again take a look at current developments in political communication, elections, campaigns, and strategies for the future.
Register today and secure your ticket through Eventbrite! We look forward to seeing you at the next International Conference on Political Communication.
Please register for #IKPK26 on Eventbrite.
Agenda
Sunday 11 October 2026
1:00 p.m. Opening and Welcome
Daniel Feldhaus
Head of the Political Communication Department
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Host
1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Between Mobilization and Polarization: A Closer Look at the U.S. Midterm Elections
Andrew Bleeker
CEO
Bully Pulpit International (BPI)
2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. The impact of data-driven political campaigning
Hertie School
Prof. Dr. Rachel Gibson
University of Manchester
3:10 p.m. Coffee Break
3:40 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Populism on Social Media: How Can Democrats Fight Back?
Philipp Sälhoff
Managing Director polisphere
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Networking Session
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Panel: State Elections in the East: Campaigns in a Polarized Times
6:30 p.m. Wrap-Up
Get Together
Standing reception
Monday 12 October 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Gamechanger for Campaigns? Generative AI in Campaigns
Prof. Dr. Andreas Jungherr
University Bamberg
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. “Shitfluencer”: Do influencers threaten democratic discourse?
Founder Storymachine
11:00 a.m. Coffee Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. When the periphery is as important as the centre – Political Communication in the regions of South East Europe
A panel discussion with invited participants of the KAS Media Program SEE
Sanja Pejović
Head of Protocol and International Cooperation, Montenegro
Olivia Grigoriu
Forumul Democrat al Germanilor din Romania, Romania
Daniel Vodă
Associated Senior Expert on Foreign Policy and Strategic Communication, Moldova
Moderator:
Vladimir Zlatarsky, Coordinator Media Programme South East Europe, KAS
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break
13.30 Uhr – 14.30 Uhr: Breakout Sessions
Session 1 will take place in the Academy Forum and will include German translation.
Session 2 will take place in the hall behind it and will not include German translation.
Session 1: No Filter: What Gen Z Expects from Political Communication
Former Government Spokesman of the Republic of Kenya
Session 2: Behind the Campaign: How Dutch Political Parties Raise Funds
Head of Fundraising
Christen-Democratisch Appèl, Netherlands
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. From strategy to the presidency: inside Colombia's most successful campaign
Communication Expert, Colombia
3.30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. My Message, Your Feed: Authentic Communication on Social Media
Communication Expert
Meltem Seker
Journalist & Influencer
@politischmeltem
4:30 p.m. Summary and Closing
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
