ICAD 2026: The 31st International Conference on Auditory Display Bielefeld, Barcelona, Troy/NY, Germany, July 28-31, 2026 |
| Conference website | https://icad2026.icad.org/ |
| Submission link | https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icad2026 |
| Submission deadline | March 6, 2026 |
ICAD 2026
Call for Submission of Papers, Extended Abstracts, Workshops/Tutorials, and Music/Installations
31st International Conference on Auditory Display
Bielefeld, Germany – Barcelona, Spain – Troy, NY, USA
28–31 July 2026
https://interactive-sonification.org/icad2026
THEME: SOUND TO INFORM, INSPIRE & INCLUDE
After three decades of research exploring the informational, aesthetic, experiential, and social dimensions of auditory displays, the field has matured into a rich interdisciplinary landscape. Sound has become not only a medium for conveying data, but also a powerful catalyst for engagement, reflection, creativity, and community. With developed sonification techniques, established design principles, and an expanding ecosystem of tools for sonification and sound computing, the time is right to consider how auditory displays can extend their impact: sound to inform, inspire, and include.
The ICAD 2026 committee is seeking full papers, extended abstracts, concert pieces, demos, installations, workshops, and tutorials from across the full spectrum of auditory display research and practice. This year, we are particularly interested in approaches that use sound to broaden participation, spark insight, promote accessibility, strengthen community, and support inclusive interaction. We also welcome contributions that use auditory displays to foster awareness of global challenges, such as sustainability and social justice, and that explore how sonic communication can help societies navigate these issues. We invite contributions that push the boundaries of how sound can build bridges between communities and even continents.
The Conference will take place in a distributed synchronous format across three tightly connected hubs on July 28-31, 2026. This format will allow us to reduce long-distance travel and maintain a more positive impact on the environment.
We will offer the following hubs:
- Bielefeld, Germany (Bielefeld University/CITEC, hub organizer: Thomas Hermann)
- Barcelona, Spain (ESMUC, hub organizer: Adrian Garcia Riber)
- Troy, NY, USA (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, hub organizer: Jonas Braasch)
By coordinating keynotes, shared sessions, and cross‑hub interactions, the event will retain its international character and single stream conference style, while making participation more accessible and significantly lowering travel-related emissions.
At least one author of each accepted work must register for ICAD 2026, attend one of the hubs, and make a presentation. All attendees are encouraged to choose the closest location to reduce travel and support the expedient goals of the distributed format, making ICAD 2026 as environmentally friendly as possible. Each hub will also offer a regionally tailored program that reflects local strengths and perspectives.
Join us as we shape a soundful community gathering – one that remains globally connected while taking meaningful steps toward more sustainable academic exchange.
SUBMISSION DEADLINES:
Full Papers (6 to 8 pages) - March 6, 2026
Extended Abstracts (2 to 4 pages) - March 20
Workshops / Tutorials / Demos - March 20
Music/Sonification Concert Contributions / Installations - March 20
Doctoral Consortium / Think Tank - March 20
For details on topics of interest, proposal format, submission instructions, and additional conference information, please visit https://interactive-sonification.org/icad2026/call-for-participation/
Anticipated registration fee is around 250 EUR (~200 EUR for students).
COMMITTEES:
Local Hub Conference Chairs: Thomas Hermann, Adrian Garcia Riber, Jonas Braasch
Paper Co-Chairs: Elias Elmquist and Adrian Garcia Riber – papers@icad2026.icad.org
Extended Abstracts Chair: Myounghoon Jeon (Philart) – abstracts@icad2026.icad.org
Music: Zach Layton, Jonas Braasch – music@icad2026.icad.org
Workshops & Tutorials: Niklas Rönnberg & Jordan Wirfs-Brock – workshops@icad2026.icad.org
Student Think Tank: Michael Nees – thinktank@icad2026.icad.org
Accessibility: David Whalen, Enrique Pérez Montero, Tony Stockman – accessibility@icad2026.icad.org
About ICAD:
First held in 1992, ICAD is a highly interdisciplinary conference with relevance to researchers, practitioners, artists, and graduate students working with sound to convey and explore information. The conference is unique in its specific focus on auditory displays and the range of interdisciplinary issues related to their use. Like its predecessors, ICAD 2026 will be a single-track conference, open to all, with no membership or affiliation requirements.
Thomas Hermann, Adrian Garcia Riber, Jonas Braasch
ICAD 2026 organizers