Dans le cadre de la mobilité professorale encouragée au sein du réseau, ORBICOM a le plaisir d’accueillir la professeure Patricia-Izquierdo-Iranzo pour un séjour de recherche à Montréal, du 22 mai au 28 juillet 2025. Membre actif du réseau ORBICOM et professeure à l’Université Rey Juan Carlos en Espagne, elle est reçue à titre de chercheuse invitée du Réseau ORBICOM.

Nous avons eu le plaisir de recueillir ses impressions, ainsi que son regard sur le projet qu’elle mène avec d’autres membres d’ORBICOM. et les perspectives offertes par ce séjour. L’occasion également de revenir avec elle sur le rôle qu’ORBICOM joue dans le soutien à la mobilité et à la collaboration entre ses membres. L’entrevue réalisée à cette occasion est présentée ci-dessous.

Q1: First of all, welcome again to ORBICOM! How was your arrival in Montreal?
A: Merci! My arrival was exciting — everything felt very easy and natural. I don’t know why, but by the second day, I already felt settled. Montreal is such an open city; it’s not difficult for a foreigner to feel integrated quite quickly. It’s the kind of global city I really wanted to experience. And when you truly wish for something and it finally happens, it brings joy.

Q2: You’ve been here for about a week now: how is your settling-in going, both in the city and in your new work environment?
A: I would say the same about both: I’ve felt truly welcomed. I want to thank Magda Fusaro to make it happen. The entire team here at Orbicom made a real effort — I noticed that even those who usually work remotely, Sonia and Asma, came in that day just to greet me. That kind of gesture really matters. On a personal level, I’ve also been lucky: I already had some friends and acquaintances in Montreal who helped me settle in, through connections. That kind of support makes all the difference.

Q3: What motivated you to carry out part of your research here at Orbicom?
A: Mainly because the headquarters of Orbicom are based here at UQAM, and I wanted to strengthen ties through my involvement in a collaborative research project launched within the network. This time, I specifically wanted to spend time in Montreal and work more closely with the Orbicom team.

Q4:  You’re working on the project “Mapping and Characterizing the Role of Social Media in 21st Century Social Movements (Part 2).” Could you briefly explain the main goals of this second phase?
A: Yes —In this second phase of the project, we need to build on the first. What we’re doing is trying to map — literally, to create a comprehensive map — of different social movements from across the world in the 21st century. More specifically, we’re studying the role that digital communication plays in these movements.

Most of the major social movements in this century follow principles of non-violence. That marks a big contrast with many movements from previous centuries, which often relied on more violent forms of protest. One of our hypotheses is that digital tools have created a new space for activism — a space that allows people to express anger, mobilize, and resist without necessarily taking to the streets in the same way.

We’re trying to understand the real impact of this “digital space” — how social media and digital communication shape these movements. Traditionally, social movements relied on physical public space — the street — to demonstrate, to be visible, to fight. But now, there’s a parallel space online. Some dynamics remain the same, but others are new, and we want to explore these transformations.

Another important aspect is citizen journalism. In the past, only trained journalists with the proper equipment could document and broadcast what was happening. Today, almost everyone carries a smartphone. We can record, publish, and share in real time — we’ve all become potential witnesses and storytellers. That changes the nature of visibility, legitimacy, and documentation in social movements. Now, it’s not just the journalist who creates the narrative — citizens themselves can shape it directly.

Q5: Are you currently in the data collection phase? What kind of data are you planning to gather here?
A: Yes, we are. Of course, on the internet today, you can access a lot of information remotely, but I believe primary sources remain very valuable — especially when you’re doing in-depth research. That’s why I’m here: to meet people directly, to talk to them. These direct interactions reduce the layers of mediation and give you a much more grounded understanding. My stay in Montreal is focused on the “Printemps érable”, the Québécois analogue example of the Arab Springs. The Maple Spring is a remarkable case study for our sample.

Q6: Have you already started conducting interviews with journalists or researchers in Montreal? How is that going so far?
A: Yes, I’ve already met with a journalist and an academic colleague who helped me identify potential participants. I’m still at the early stages, but each contact leads to the next. It’s a process — it takes time and patience, especially when you’re doing qualitative, in-depth interviews. But this is the nature of fieldwork.

Q7: Do you plan to share part of your work here at ORBICOM — through a talk, a workshop, or another format?
A: If I’m able to consolidate results in time, yes. I can’t make any firm commitment yet — as you know, field research doesn’t always follow a fixed timeline. But my goal is to present some preliminary outcomes by the end of June, especially as part of the network’s collaborative projects. I’d like to contribute to the collective effort and share where we stand, even if it’s just a partial synthesis at this stage.

Q8: In your opinion, what role does a network like ORBICOM play for communication scholars? What value does it bring, particularly in terms of international collaboration?
A: I believe it’s essential. This kind of network makes projects like ours to be possible. The topic of the project had been with me for quite a long time — I had thought about it before, but I hadn’t really found the right context to develop it. Then I saw the call for collaborative projects from Orbicom, and I immediately thought, “This is it.” It was exactly what I needed to move forward. The network made it possible to bring the project to life, to connect with other colleagues, and to give it an international dimension. Working across countries and institutions is challenging — everyone has their own pace, holidays, schedules — but it’s also deeply enriching. Orbicom creates a space where we can come together, collaborate, and feel supported, even when we’re dealing with sensitive topics or working in complex contexts. I want to thank Fadia, Abidoum and Mohamed for making part of the team.

Q9: Any final thoughts you’d like to share about your stay so far?
A: I feel truly grateful. A research stay like this gives you the space — both physical and mental — to focus deeply on your work, away from everyday distractions. It’s not just about gathering data; it’s about immersion. Being here, in this environment, helps me think differently and more clearly. I believe these experiences are essential not only for the progress of our work, but also for the kind of international understanding and dialogue that networks like Orbicom aim to foster.