JOLIN2026
11th International Conference on Innovation in Illustrated Books and Comics
COMICS FOR FREEDOM: GRAPHIC LITERATURE, ACTIVISM, AND DEMOCRATIC CULTURE
May 12th, 13th, and 14th, 2026
Once again, Espai JOLIN, as an academic initiative, has not shied away from exploring intersections with social issues (immigration, borders, diversity) or from venturing into the medical field to demonstrate that the humanities and the experimental and health sciences are not mutually exclusive. Similarly, JOLIN2026 will continue to delve into current issues with a forward-thinking approach that takes into account the reality of our student body and the society around them.
Thus, JOLIN2026 is committed to demonstrating that linguistic and cultural diversity finds in Enlightenment literature a strong ally and a solid foundation from which to pursue the humanities, foster culture, and promote outreach for a more just global citizenship, by championing knowledge transfer and building bridges between cultures.
In fact, on this occasion, with the aim of promoting democratic practices among students at both the University of Valencia and partner universities of the FORTHEM Alliance—with whom we share the conviction that freedom and democracy are fundamental to facilitating the free exchange of ideas and collaboration in education and research—JOLIN2026 invites students and academics to contribute to this event, while also contributing to “Democracy Week” at the nine FORTHEM universities. Democracy Week aims to promote knowledge about democracy and human rights, raise awareness, and provide students with the necessary knowledge to defend democratic values.
Through this initiative, both via the FORTHEM Alliance and Espai JOLIN, we hope to raise awareness of democratic practices and related issues within the university community and the general public. Thus, JOLIN2026 will support the primary objective of strengthening democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression through graphic literature, creating a scholarly space for the presentation, discussion, and exchange of research, projects, and experiences involving specialists, researchers, and educators interested in the use of comics across different educational levels and subjects. Human rights and democratic values include quality education, the reduction of inequalities, environmental protection, gender equality, the end of poverty, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption, and universal access to justice and peace.
Over the course of the three days, the conference will follow this structure: We will begin each day with a plenary session led by experts in the field to serve as an introduction. Following that, throughout the morning, various presentations will take place. Finally, on the first afternoon, there will be a forum for the presentation of undergraduate and master’s theses to engage the undergraduate community, serving as the closing event of the conference on the third day.
The conference will be held in person at Espai Vives on May 12, 13, and 14, 2026, and is organized in collaboration with the Language and Linguistic Policy Service, the Diversity & Migration Lab – FORTHEM, the Faculty of Philology, Translation, and Communication, and the Continuing Education and Educational Innovation Service. Organized by Dr. Julia Haba-Osca (UV), Dr. Francisco González-Sala (UV), and Dr. Robert Martínez-Carrasco (UJI).
