SEARCH Distinguished Speaker Series 2026 (Pre Conference Workshop)
Enhance your research and practical skills ahead of the main event. Join industry practitioners and seasoned academics for this curated series of workshops designed to tackle the evolving landscape of media, research, and technology.
All sessions to be conducted online
2ND October | FRIDAY, 10am
Decoding the Digital Psychology of What Makes Us Click in the Age of AI
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suffian Hadi Ayub
Universiti Teknologi MARA
5th October | Monday, 10am
Challenges of Journalism in the Digital Age of AI: Reflections from the Newsroom Frontlines
Mr. Syed Iylia Hariz Al- Qadri Syed Izman
BERNAMA Sabah Biro Journalist
7th October | Wednesay, 10am
Future Storytelling and Narrative in AI
Mr. Saiful Aziman Mazlan, RTM
9th October | Friday, 10am
Anchoring the Hook: Crafting and Analysing High-Impact Research Introductions
Dr. Irfan Hameed, Taylor’s University
12th October | Monday, 10am
Exploring Lived Experiences: Reflections and Lessons from Qualitative Research
Dr. Nurzihan Hassim, UKM
14th October | Wednesday, 10am
Advancing Research in Digital Media, Marketing, and Strategic Communication Through Action Research
Dr. Mohamad Noor Salehuddin Sharipudin, UPM
16th October | Friday, 10am
Marketing Beyond Advertising: Building Brands That Matter in the Digital Age
Mr. Boon Seong Lim
Chief,Global, Government & Public Affairs AirAsia Group
DAY 1 :
19th October 2026 (Monday)
- Main Venue: LT 13
- Venue for Parallel Sessions and Poster Presentations:
Level 1:
Room 1 (LT3)
Room 2 (LT4)
Room 3 (LT6)
Room 4 (LT27)
Room 5 (LT28) - TUFF: LT21-22
| 8.00am – 9.00am | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9.00am – 9.10am | Opening Speech by Professor Dr Barry Winn, Vice-Chancellor and President, Taylor’s University |
| 9.10am – 9.25am | Welcoming Speech by Professor Dr Adrian Lee Yuen Beng, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University |
| 9.25am – 9.40am | Officiation Speech and Officiating the SEARCH Conference by Datuk Ashwad Ismail, Director General of Broadcasting Malaysia |
| 9.40am – 9.45am | Opening Ceremony |
| 9.45am – 10.00am | TEA BREAK |
| 10.00am – 11.00am | Keynote 1 Discourse, Evolution of Time, Media (including Q&A) by Prof Cherian George, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong |
| 11.00am – 12.30pm | Parallel Session 1 (Audiences and Media Platforms) |
| 12.30pm – 2.00pm | LUNCH |
| 2.00pm – 3.30pm | Industry Panel Session 1 From Virality to Intelligence: AI’s Role in Media Disruption and Education Speakers: Professor Dr Darren Bagnall, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Taylor’s University Prof Dr. Adrian Lee, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University Ir. Ts. Ahmad Shafiq Mirza Bin Mansor, Assistance Director (Engineering) News & Current Affair, RTM Puan Eneng Faridah, Deputy Managing Director, MCMC |
| 3.30pm – 5.00pm | Parallel Session 2 (Storytelling Across Media) |
| 5.00pm – 5.15pm | TEA BREAK |
| 5.15pm – 7.00pm | Workshop by Keynote Speaker Writing and Publishing Critical Media Scholarship by Prof Cherian George, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong |
| 7.00pm – 8:00pm | DINNER – Special Invitation Only: SEARCH Participants attending Taylor’s University Film Festival 2026 |
| 8:00pm – 10.00pm | Taylor’s University Film Festival 2026 Opening Ceremony & Screening |
DAY 2:
20TH October 2026 (Tuesday)
- Main Venue: LT 13
- Venue for Parallel Sessions and Poster Presentations:
Level 1:
Room 1 (LT3)
Room 2 (LT4)
Room 3 (LT6)
Room 4 (LT27)
Room 5 (LT28)
| 8.00am – 9.00am | Registration |
| 9.00am – 10.00am | Keynote 2 Public Relations in the Age of Algorithms: Managing Stakeholder Relationships Across Generations by Associate Professor Katharina Wolf, Curtin University, Perth |
| 10.00am – 10:30am | TEA BREAK |
| 10:30am – 12.00pm | Parallel Session 3 (Technology and Media Futures) |
| 12.00pm – 1.30pm | LUNCH |
| 1:30pm – 3.00 pm | Industry Panel Session 2 Crafting Narratives: Media Industry Platforms and Power Speakers: Jeremy Ng Kok Shern, Malaysia Communications Lead, TikTok Malaysia |
| 3.00pm – 4.30 pm | Parallel Session 4 (Media, Culture and Society) |
| 4.30pm – 5.00pm | TEA BREAK |
| 5.00 pm – 6.30pm | Workshop by Keynote Speaker Securing International Grant by Associate Professor Katharina Wolf, Curtin University, Perth |
| 6:30pm – 7:00pm | SEARCH Conference Closing Ceremony (LT13) by Professor Dr Adrian Lee Yuen Beng, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University Associate Professor Katharina Wolf, Curtin University, Perth Best Presenter for Parallel Session 1-4 (Paper) Best Presenter for Parallel Session 1-4 (Poster) Best Paper The 9th International SEARCH Conference 2026 Wrap of the 9th International SEARCH Conference 2026 |
| 7.00pm | End of Day 2 |