In an age dominated by visual culture, the dual power of images, to both democratize and polarize, is more evident than ever. Drawing on her forthcoming book Seeing Matters (Cambridge University Press), Sarah Awad (Aalborg University, Denmark) will explore how images, from protest imagery, political campaigns, photojournalism, to social media memes, actively shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Rather than simply reflecting our world, images now serve as dynamic agents of change – mobilizing movements, influencing public debate, and at times deepening societal rifts. Awad’s analysis challenges us to rethink the power inherent in the act of seeing.