FLN 2022

IIC 2022 Competition for Future Leaders

What do you need to do?

This year entrants are asked to produce an essay, submitted electronically, on the following:

Across the Metaverse: Policy priorities  

Oxford Reference has defined ‘the metaverse’ as a virtual representation of reality implemented by means of virtual reality software.

This world of augmented reality and virtual reality brings technologies that could offer new ways of communicating and interacting. But as with digital platforms and artificial intelligence, the emerging ‘metaverse’ challenges policy-makers and regulators to encourage innovation in products and services, while watching for content and conduct that might be harmful to users or other businesses. Will there indeed be a whole new ‘metaverse’ or just an adaptation of current business and social practices? Are the policy issues limited to the use of digital assets and biometric data, or is there more to consider?

In this essay, we want you to create a picture of how you see this world evolving and to consider whether steps should be taken now to help shape its future, or whether the sector should be left to develop without direct policy intervention. 

You should:

• Demonstrate a clear point of view
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of contending viewpoints
• Provide a structured, clear, and cogent position and justification for that position

Key dates

4 July 2022 – Final deadline for entries by 1600 GMT

1 August 2022 – Winner announced

What are the rules?

The IIC 2022 Competition for Future Leaders is a competition run by the International Institute of Communications. By entering the competition, entrants agree to comply with the rules set out below.

Eligibility

• The Competition is open to individuals aged 35 and under, on competition closing date – 4 July 2022
• Entries must be the original work of the author and previously unpublished
• Collaboration with colleagues is permitted, however, there must be one lead author

Submission requirements

• Allowing an essay word length of 2500 – 3000 words (to include an abstract of no more than 150 words), footnotes and figures are not included in the word limit
• We don’t stipulate any special format for footnotes and referencing but you must acknowledge your sources and we ask that you be consistent in your style
• Please submit your essay directly to e.garbett@iicom.org
• Only 1 submission per person may be made (if collaborating with colleagues – the lead author will need to submit the entry)
• Entries must be submitted in English
• Entries will be evaluated on criteria including original thought and analysis – all submissions will be reviewed anonymously
• The judges may determine not to award some or all the prizes and the judges’ determinations will be final

Awards

The overall winner will receive:

• An invitation to present their winning entry to the IIC’s Annual Conference (3-4 November 2022), subject to current travel advice, with all expenses paid and £250 subsistence
• Their winning entry to be published in InterMedia (the IIC’s quarterly journal). online and on our social media channels
• One year’s complimentary membership to the IIC Future Leaders’ Network – which includes access to the IIC’s networks and resources

The top ten entries will receive:

• Their abstract to be published in InterMedia
• Their entry to be published online
• One year’s complimentary membership to the IIC Future Leaders’ Network – which includes access to the IIC’s networks and resources

Back to main competition page