Hi, we’re Dan and Ted, and we’re organizing the Media and Civics track at ATmosphereConf 2026, March 26-29th.

United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, USA plus Goodstuff Goosetopher super imposed. From Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/people-sitting-on-chairs-inside-building-0HJWobhGhJs

The ATProto community came to ATmosphereConf 2025 last year in Seattle for a blend of conversations that included network protocols, data and infrastructure, but also community building, social media and society.

Discussion and action over the public’s control over online digital spaces is critical to how we function as a society.  We’re reflecting that importance this year with a new track for Media and Civics. 

2025 brought media and platform consolidation to new depths. Arbitrary top-down control, concentrated in the hands of a few companies, was exercised more frequently.

Even so, the last year also saw the creation of new software, apps, and communities pointing to new ways for the public to engage and interact.

Independent and coop media companies continue to grow, and publishing platforms like Ghost and Wordpress have launched tools to connect to the Atmosphere and Fediverse.

Companies like the Verge and SB Nation have launched new features to engage their audiences and host their social communities directly

Apps like New_Public's Roundabout entered beta as users look for social platforms which provide healthier local connections.

And major cities across the globe have set up official presences in the ATmosphere to reach their constituents.

So, we'd love to hear from you and your communities. Send us your submissions to speak about your work on open social platforms, new tools and practices which help the public stay informed, connect to their communities, and ensure they are represented by the governments that serve them.

And we'll see you in Vancouver!

The general Call for Proposals closes tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 10th, 2026. We are still curating speakers, so please get in touch if you have a late submission for the track.

ATmosphereConf is the global community conference for those working with and building on the AT Protocol that powers Bluesky and dozens of other apps. Early Bird tickets are still available. Join us March 26th - 29th in Vancouver, Canada.