Special Issue: Digital Identities - Virtual Masks: Social, Cultural, Economic and AI Aspects of Self-representation on Digital Media

2026-07-20

Digital Identities - Virtual Masks: Social, Cultural, Economic and AI Aspects of Self-representation on Digital Media

Guest Editors:

Viktorija Car, University of Split, Communication and Media, vcar@kim.unist.hr

Antea Boko, University of Split, Communication and Media, aboko@kim.unist.hr


Communication Papers is an international peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on communication, media studies, digital culture, gender studies, audiovisual culture, journalism, and related interdisciplinary fields, published by University of Girona (UdG). Indexed in ERIH PLUS, RESH, CIRC, MIAR, Latindex, SHERPA/ROMEO, Dulcinia, REDIB and under evaluation by Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus.

Language:
English

Publication Date:
December 2027 Issue

 

Digital identity is not only a digital version of physical identity but is a unique and complex construct that Robles-Carrillo (2024, p. 20) defines as “an attribute composed of information and data that enables identification, authentication, and authorization for access and participation in the digital world.” Summarizing the main ideas and concepts that Cover (2016) describes, digital identity is a continuous communication process through which individuals construct and represent themselves within the digital media environment. In this digital world, one subject can have several different identities at the same time, which can be real or fictional (Robles-Carrillo, 2024). Users themselves also consider that they have as many digital identities as they have accounts on different digital platforms (Rowland and Estevens, 2025). Boyd (2010) suggests that digital identity cannot be understood separately from the technical characteristics of digital platforms. Digital identity is created through the interaction between the person, the audience and the platform itself. With their functionalities, algorithms and communication rules, platforms actively participate in shaping identity and its visibility in the digital environment. In Boyd's (2010) conceptualization, digital identity is, therefore, performative because people actively present themselves on social media through the profiles they create, the content they publish but also the content they follow, like and comment. Further, the concept of persona refers to a technologically mediated form of identity in a digital environment. According to Marshall et al. (2020), a persona is a constructed, produced, and publicly presented self through which individuals organize and manage their public presence.

 

This special issue aims to explore the transformations of identity and self-representation within digital media and digital platforms. Especially in contemporary AI generated media environment, identities become more fluid and transformative, and at the same time more complex challenging the idea of authenticity. The topic can be conceptualized through social, cultural, economic and AI aspects considering digital visibility, anonymity, performativity, and virtual personhood, but also persona commodification and other branding and marketing aspects. The issue welcomes interdisciplinary contributions addressing digital identities across social media, video games and other digital platforms, including topics on AI-generated identities, virtual influencers, avatars, and related themes.

 

References:

Boyd, D. (2010). Social network sites and networked publics: Affordances, dynamics and implications. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A Networked Self: Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites (pp. 39-58). Routledge.

Cover, R. (2015). Digital identities: Creating and communicating the online self. Academic Press.

Marshall, P. D., Moore, C., & Barbour, K. (2020). Persona Studies: An Introduction. John Wiley & Sons.

Robles-Carrillo, M. (2024). Digital identity: an approach to its nature, concept, and functionalities. International Journal of Law and Information Technology, 32(1), eaae019. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlit/eaae019

Rowland, J., & Estevens, J. (2025). “What is your digital identity?” Unpacking users’ understandings of an evolving concept in datafied societies. Media, Culture & Society, 47(2), 336-353. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437241282240

 

Possible Topics Include:

  • Digital identity and self-representation
  • Virtual masks and performativity
  • Social media identities
  • AI-generated identities and avatars
  • Influencer culture and digital visibility
  • Gender and digital identity
  • Gaming identities and virtual worlds
  • Posthuman identities and virtual embodiment

Submission Timeline (Tentative):

  • Full Paper Submission Deadline: February 15, 2027
  • Peer Review Process: February – July 2027
  • Revised Manuscripts Deadline: September 2027
  • Final Acceptance Notifications: October 2027
  • Publication of Special Issue: December 2027

Submission Guidelines:

  • Articles should follow Communication Papers author guidelines: https://communicationpapers.revistes.udg.edu/about/submissions
  • Manuscripts must be original and unpublished.
  • All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review.
  • Recommended article length: 6000–8000 words.
  • Citation Style: APA (latest edition).

Submission Platform: https://communicationpapers.revistes.udg.edu/about/submissions

 

Contact Information: