Global Netnography Conference

NETNOCON 2026

Cultural Crossroads

In 2026, Netnocon returns—to celebrate thirty years since the introduction of netnography and to mark how far we've come. From its invention in Toronto, Canada, and its introduction in Tucson, USA, the method has found eager adopters around the world—from Türkiye to Norway, Brazil to Australia—and it continues to evolve in fresh, creative, and culturally rich directions. This year, we gather in Izmir, a vibrant coastal city with deep roots and wide horizons. It is a place shaped by centuries of trade relations, spiritual movements, immigration, food cultures, and connection. Izmir is the perfect setting for this year's theme: Cultural Crossroads.

We come together at an unprecedented time when cultures are more connected, and more complex, than ever before in human history. Family cultures, national identities, religious and political traditions, fandoms, subcultures, countercultures—all of them are now intersecting with one another online, building with and weaving into technocultures that shift and adapt faster than we can track. Netnography gives us tools to immerse ourselves within and try to make sense of it all. And Netnocon gives us a special dedicated space to share what we’ve discovered in these remarkable times.

If you have been to Netnocon before, you already know that what makes this gathering special isn’t just the research, it’s the people. We attract a diverse, passionate, considerate, and growing global community, with many early-career scholars, researchers from many academic fields, creative thinkers, forward-looking individuals, and practitioners bringing energy, insight, and originality to every conversation. A cultural crossroads in itself, Netnocon is a special place of collaboration and curiosity, of new friendships and fresh ideas.

If you have not joined us yet, we invite you to come for the scholarship and to join our growing community. This year, we gather to celebrate both 30 years of netnography and to explore the cultural crossroads of our shared work and lives.

Join us for Netnocon 2026 in Izmir and experience the crossroads of culture, creativity, and connection.

Netnocon 2026

Organization Committee and Chairs

Robert Kozinets

Co-chair

Professor Robert V. Kozinets develops methods and theories that are widely used around the world. His work aims to provide a human-centered understanding of technocultures as well as the social structures and passions that surround them. Netnography, his major innovation, is transforming research practices throughout industry and across the social sciences.

Ulrike Gretzel

Co-Chair

Dr. Ulrike Gretzel is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California and Director of Research at Netnografica. She has over 15 years of experience conducting academic and practice-focused netnographies, with topics ranging from the experiences of black vanlifers to the collective activism among fans of a Chinese TV drama.

Rossella Gambetti

Co-Chair

Rossella Gambetti is professor of branding and consumer culture at Labcom, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. Her research focuses on emerging technocultural phenomena shaping contemporary branding and consumer culture. Rossella is a “netno-enthusiast” who conducted several netnographic explorations in the social media worlds.

Lena Cavusoglu

Co-Chair

Lena Cavusoglu is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Her research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in marketing, focusing on creative industries such as film, social and digital media, entertainment, and fashion. For NETNOCON 2026, she leads efforts in local logistics coordination, branding, and sponsorship outreach.

Romas Malevicius

Co-Chair

Romas Malevicius, Assistant Professor of Marketing (Lecturer) at King’s College London, UK, is a digital artist passionate about marketing, sustainability, and education for sustainability (EfS). He is a business consultant with 10 years of experience in business and management education and community engagement.

Sema Misci Kip

Co-Chair

Sema Misci Kip is a Full Professor in Public Relations and Advertising at İzmir University of Economics, Türkiye, where she teaches advertising, brand, and marketing communication. Her research focuses on marketing communication, advertising, social media, websites, and sustainability. For NETNOCON 2026, she serves on both the organizing and media & sponsorship committees.

Ebru Uzunoglu

Co-Chair

Ebru Uzunoğlu is a Professor of Marketing Communications and Public Relations at the University of Ljubljana and affiliated with Izmir University of Economics. Her research focuses on integrated marketing communications, particularly brand perception, stakeholder engagement, and corporate messaging in digital contexts. For NETNOCON 2026, she supports student involvement as an applied learning experience and assists in budgeting.

Burak Dogu

Co-Chair

Burak Doğu is Dean of the Faculty of Communication at İzmir University of Economics. His research focuses on environmental communication, networking, and social movements. For NETNOCON 2026 he coordinates the local organizational activities. This includes facilitating communication and collaboration among the university’s various administrative and academic departments, as well as handling relationships with external partners and stakeholders.

Sarphan Uzunoglu

Co-Chair

Sarphan Uzunoğlu is an Assistant Professor of New Media and Communication at Izmir University of Economics and Founding Director of NewsLabTurkey. His research focuses on journalism, digital cultures, and media sustainability, with an emphasis on AI, audience engagement, and ethical innovation. For NETNOCON 2026, he works on media outreach and builds strategic industry partnerships.

Selin Turkel

Co-Chair

Selin Türkel is a Professor and Chair of Public Relations and Advertising at İzmir University of Economics, focusing on child rights, disaster communication, research methods, public relations, and nonprofit advocacy. For NETNOCON 2026, she supports faculty, students, and external stakeholders to boost engagement, leverages her administrative role to facilitate logistics, and contributes to media outreach.

Zeynep Aksoy

Co-Chair

Zeynep Aksoy is an Associate Professor of Public Relations and Advertising at Izmir University of Economics. Her research focuses on intercultural communication, cultural identity, corporate, and healthcare communication. For NETNOCON 2026, she contributes to media visibility, sponsorship, and promotional efforts.

June 17-19, 2026
Cultural Crossroads
Izmir, Turkey

NETNOCON 2026

GLOBAL NETNOGRAPHY CONFERENCE

Netnocon 2026

Organization Committee and Chairs

Robert Kozinets

Ulrike Gretzel

Rossella Gambetti

Lena Cavusoglu

Romas Malevicius

Sema Misci Kip

Ebru Uzunoglu

Burak Dogu

Sarphan Uzunoglu

Selin Turkel

Zeynep Aksoy

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