Category: Events

Key Concepts & Methods in Ethnography, Language & Communication (UK)

Key Concepts and Methods in Ethnography, Language & Communication
4 – 8 July 2016
King’s College, London

If you are researching social processes, institutions, culture or identity, but are unsure about how to analyse the discourse data from your fieldwork, then consider joining this five day research training course.

The programme is designed to help PhD and post-doctoral researchers to navigate the twin perils of over- and under-interpreting discourse data. It introduces a range of key perspectives and tools used to study language and communication ethnographically and it facilitates the study of social practice in a wide range of different settings – education, workplace, recreation, health etc. Initiated with ESRC funding in 2007 and now based in the King’s ESRC Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Centre, this will be our 8th ELC five-day course.

The course will be held at King’s College London from Monday to Friday, and it is taught by an international team from several leading research institutions: Prof Ben Rampton (Director), Dr Jeff Bezemer, Prof Jan Blommaert, Prof Carey Jewitt, Dr Adam Lefstein, Dr Julia Snell.

The deadline for applications is 11 April 2016.  Spaces are limited, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible.  Some funding will be available for bursaries.

For more information, click here, or go to: www.kcl.ac.uk, enter ‘Summer course Ethnography Language & Communication’ in the search box, and follow the links.

CITP/MiLab Spring 2016 Doctoral Workshop (Vienna)

The Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) at Princeton University and the Media Innovation Lab (MiLab) at the University of Vienna are pleased to announce our second annual Doctoral Workshop to be held April 27th to April 29th at the University of Vienna.

The workshop will be led by Nick Feamster, Professor of Computer Science and Acting Director of CITP at Princeton University, and Homero Gil de Zúñiga, who holds the Medienwandel Professorship in the Department of Communication and leads the MiLab at the University of Vienna.

The goal of the workshop is to provide a forum for leading doctoral students to present their late-stage research to experts in the field, receive feedback and advice, and gain exposure to related work in other disciplines. We seek to provide a helpful, interactive experience for students, to highlight the work of rising stars in this area, and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Participants will be selected through a competitive review process. We expect to invite about 8 doctoral students to attend. We will provide support for travel and lodging up to 500 EUR per attendee. Students are encouraged to submit dissertation relevant work; abstracts and shorter proposals will not be accepted.

Research topics should focus on the interplay between information and communication technologies and the social, political, civic, and governmental spheres. We welcome applications from doctoral students doing relevant work in any discipline, including communication studies, computer science, economics, political science, and sociology. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Citizen journalism
• Civic engagement and digital technology
• E-voting security
• Internet governance
• Open government data
• Privacy technologies for democratic ends
• Social media and political expression
• State-sponsored internet freedom programs

Submission process: Please submit your manuscript, along with your CV and full contact information, to Laura Cummings-Abdo and Meike Müller no later than February 7th, 2016.

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Festival of Migrant Film (Slovenia)

International Call for Entries:
7th edition of the Festival of Migrant Film
Open until 31st December 2015

International filmmakers, video artists and activists are invited to submit their films and video works of any genre, length or year of production for consideration to the Festival programming team. If you would like to submit your film/video work, you can do so by using the online application system available on the Festival web page.

The Festival of Migrant Film is co-organized by non-governmental organization Slovene Philanthropy with the purpose of celebrating the World Refugee Day (20th June) and raising awareness of local audience about matters and issues related to migration, asylum/refugees and intercultural dialogue. FMF 2016 will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 15th to 20th June 2016.

You can find additional information about the Festival and the Call for Entries on the official Festival web page and/or by following on Facebook (FMF.si) and Twitter (FMFsi).

CFP New Media, Old Money: Digital Technology, Social Media & the New Challenges to Campaigning and Democracy

New Media, Old Money: Digital Technology, Social Media and the New Challenges to Campaigning and Democracy
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 17, 2015.

A by-invitation experts’ workshop to be held at The Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America Washington, DC, September 27-29, 2015.

Electronic media have played a central role in politics almost since their introduction. The role of media in election campaigns is often seen as the origin of media and communication studies. The variety of political systems worldwide, the wide range of media systems that operate within them, and the extensive array of regulatory schemes that govern this association raise thought provoking questions about the role of media in democracy. The media-politics-capital triad has raised concerns about the effect of money on the health and fairness of political and media structures. The use of digital technologies and collaborative media has now become a critical part of these complex relationships.

Increasingly, political campaigns are built around digital strategies rather than on traditional broadcast ad buys. The internet offers many additional groups cheap access to the public sphere and new possibilities for information and discussion. Accordingly, much of the most “impactful” money is spent “online,” calling on expertise in building networks, conversations and communities using social networking platforms, combined with applications designed to amplify messaging as well as volunteers and users generating their own content. In addition, the ability to find, analyze and apply personal information from “big data” is becoming more important than market research and the focus has shifted to the development of comprehensive social media strategies for young, ethnic, gendered and special interest groups. Finally, legacy media and their traditional business models are affected by change as well, raising questions about implications of the internet for journalism and democracy.

As a result, any current understanding of campaign spending and political communication must incorporate not just traditional advertising, but equally spending on internet and social networking platforms and the use of information technologies to identify and reach voters through multiple platforms. The same “Old Money” is being used to try to gain influence, but new media offer new approaches both to enhance and conceal its effects. Moreover, the same media brands with the same powerful owners prevail online as well.

The Institute for Information Policy at Penn State, the Department of Communication and Media Research DCM at the University of Fribourg and the Journal of Information Policy, are pleased to announce this call for paper proposals. Authors of selected papers will be invited to present them during a two day (September 28th and 29th, 2015) by-invitation workshop designed to bring together up to a dozen American and international experts and to be held at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, DC. The workshop will open with a reception on September 27th. Presenters at the workshop will be invited to submit their
completed papers for review by the Journal of Information Policy. By focusing on the media-politics-capital triad, and taking place a year before the presidential elections in the US and only weeks before the national elections in Switzerland, the workshop is ideally suited to provide important insights not only for scholarly research but also for policy-makers in both countries.

Invited topics include, but are not limited to:
–       The role of media in election and referendum campaigns
–       The (democratic) need for regulation of media and campaigns
–       The role of money in campaigning and political communication
–       The role of money in media policy and regulation
–       Commercialization of the media and its effect on political coverage
–       Ownership structures of new and old media and their implications for democracy, political communication and media policy
–       Changes of political communication and journalism due to digitization
–       The strategic use of social media by political actors
–       Comparative studies of media regulation, political communication and campaigns
–       New metrics for campaign expenditures in the digital age
–       Political campaign money spending in online campaigns
–       Limitations on campaign spending
–       Limitations on contributions; on sources of contributions; requirements for disclosure; regulation of spending by advocacy groups; by political parties; and by individuals
–       The challenge of diversity of views and voices in the digital age
–       Applying broadcast political speech rules be applied on the Internet
–       Should social media, blogs, listserves and websites be subject to political speech rules?
–       How have the larger changes in the economics of media affected political news and commentary?

Abstracts of up to 500 words and a short bio of the author(s) should be submitted via email by July 17, 2015. Please write “IIPFUWS: Your Last Name” in the subject line.

Accepted presenters will be notified by July 31, 2015.

Communication of Scientific Research (Summer School, Czech Republic)

Summer School for Communication of Scientific Research

CRS Summer School 2015

The first Summer School for Communication of Scientific Research (CSR) will be offered at the University of West Bohemia, in Pilsen, Czech Republic. [Click on the image above to download the flyer.]

Location: The Institute of Applied Language Studies of the University of West Bohemia
Term: 7 – 11 July 2015 (daily from 10.00 a.m.to 6.00 p.m.)
Programme: 7 hours per day of theoretical and practical lessons on the basics of theory of communication applied to scientific research; construction of written and oral texts, analyses of written and oral texts prepared by participants, small groups work session and class discussion

CSR: Communication of Scientific Research is different from the general communication of science, which implies the explanation of scientific matters to people who have not a scientific background (public and not specialized media). “CSR” is a discipline dedicated to the professionals of science, people who do know the matter, as they study, do research and work in this context. It does not depend on the disciplines, as it is not based on the contents of science, but on the tools used to communicate. “CSR” courses aim to start to fill a gap: a need for a more formal education on communication among young scientists.

Target audience: PhD students, post-doctoral fellows of different countries and disciplines (natural, social and human sciences)
Number of participants: maximum 20
Structure of the course: an intensive course of 5 days, with 7 hours per day, of theoretical and practical lessons dedicated to written and oral communication of scientific research.
Language: English
Application form due May 31, 2015
Registration Fee: 350 euro per person

Lecturer:
Maria Flora Mangano earned her PhD in biochemistry in Italy, at the University of Milan, in 1999; then she left the research laboratory to study science communication. In 2003 she started to teach communication through meetings and courses dedicated to trainees at scientific faculties of Italian universities. In 2014 she began a second PhD in humanities and intercultural studies at the University of Bergamo (Italy). Her website and the articles she publishes are attempting to start filling a gap: the need for more formal education of communication among scientists. It is a challenge for scientific disciplines, where so much research is done with such a little communication. She has published a handbook of communication of scientific research. It has been written both in Italian (1st ed. 2008; 2nd ed. 2013) and Spanish (2009). It is 100 pages long, and designed for science professionals: young scientists, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. It is offered to scientists as a tool to understand how to communicate their research, either written or oral, better. The handbook specifically deals with various forms including a scientific paper, poster, PhD thesis and scientific presentation. Maria Flora Mangano teaches communication of scientific research at Italian universities and organizes regular “schools.” Three courses dedicated to the communication of scientific research have already been held in Pilsen, at the University of West Bohemia, in 2014 and 2015. July 2015 will be the first summer school.

History and more details, including the complete Schedule are available. For further information about the course, please send an email.

 

Training seminars for International Electoral Observers (Venice)

The third edition of the Training Seminar for International Electoral Observers will be held at the Monastery of San Nicolò, Lido, Venice from 13 to 18 April 2015.
Application deadline: 5 April 2015.

The principle of holding periodic and open elections is a vital part of democratization and stabilisation of peace agreements around the world. If interested to learn about election observation missions and what the opportunities in this field are, join the EIUC (European Inter-University Center for Human Rights and Democratisation) training seminar for International Electoral Observers: a seminar combining expert discussions and a hands-on workshop.

The training seminar for graduates or professionals aims at introducing civilian staff to the profession of election observers and at delivering a complete theoretical and practical basic course to those willing to consider election observation as a possible professional step in their career. Its international faculty includes prestigious lectures in human rights, such as Armin Rabitsch who has been working in the field of elections, democratization and good governance in a variety of organizations including the UNDP, EU and OSCE/ODIHR for the past 15 years and Stephane Mondon, who has an extensive experience within the European Union, UNDP and the Carter Center.

The training seminar is organised by the EIUC and granted patronage by the Italian, Spanish and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EIUC has developed two five-day modules that will allow to selected applicants to become aware of the role, the tasks and the status of international observers, and will be given a theoretical and practical training on election observation and election observation missions functioning.

The first module 13-15 April 2015) will highlight the quantitative observation of the STOs. Starting with a thorough introduction on the international observation theory and legal standards the first module will analyse the practical life of a short term observer from the selection procedure to the end of mission including the observation of the polls, the filling of the forms, the reporting system and the code of the conduct.

The second module (16-18 April 2015) will introduce the participants to the long-term election observation by analysing in depth some of the aspects related to an international observation mission such as working relations, the role of the media, interviewing and reporting techniques and electoral dispute resolutions.

EIUC will accept candidatures for each separate module or both combined.

Please note that applications will be processed on an on-going basis. Interested candidates should register by compiling the online application form.

For further enquiries please contact the organizers.

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IPD Academy in Peacebuilding, Mediation, Intercultural Dialogue (2015)

Institute for Peace and Dialogue (IPD)
Academic Programs 2015

A) 2 International Summer Academy programs in Peacebuilding, Mediation, Conflict Resolution & Intercultural Dialogue

– I Summer Academy: 7-17 August, 2015

– II Summer Academy: 17-27 August, 2015

Place: Baar, Switzerland

B) 3 Month Certificated Academic School in Mediation & Conflict Resolution (CAS in MCR)

Date: 17 August – 17 November 2015

Place: Switzerland

Moving Memories: Remembering Conflict, Protest & Social Unrest in Connected Times (London)

*Moving Memories. Remembering and Reviving Conflict, Protest and Social Unrest in Connected Times*

The one-day seminar explores the role memories play in contemporary political conflicts, protest movements and social unrest that have become increasingly conducted through connective and ubiquitous media. It assembles a rich array of scholarly work and participatory experiences with regard to the impact of past beliefs, tactics and bonds in current times of struggle and rebellion, in terms of remembering past and reviving novel conflicts. It does so with a special focus on the production and circulation of memories for protest via digital technologies, new media and art. The day will end with a round-table discussion and book launch entitled ‘Art Activism in Post-Dictatorship Argentina’

Organized by: Jordana Blejmar (IMLR/University of Liverpool), Andrea Hajek (University of Glasgow), Christine Lohmeier (University of Munich) & Christian Pentzold (Technische Universität Chemnitz/Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Berlin). Sponsored by: The Institute for Modern Languages Research (IMLR), the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), University of London, and the Unit for Global Justice Funds, Goldsmiths
Date: 27 November 2014, 10:00 – 17:00
Place: School of Advanced Study, University of London, Room 243,
Senate House, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU

Free and open to all but to attend the seminar please register with Christine Lohmeier.

The full programme and information about the talks and speakers can be accessed from here.

Programme:
Welcome and Introduction: Katia Pizzi (IMLR/Centre for the Study of Cultural Memory)

Andrea Hajek, Christine Lohmeier and Christian Pentzold – Movements, media and memory: Building blocks of a moving relation

Keynote lecture: Joanne Garde-Hansen (University of Warwick) – Iconomy and Memory: on remembering as digital, civic and corporate currency in Brazil and the UK in a time of social protest

Panel 1: Memory and Activism in Southern Europe
Andrea Hajek (University of Glasgow) – The witches are back! Mediating memories of second-wave feminism in contemporary Italy
Ruth Sanz Sabido (Canterbury Christ Church University) – Selective memories: Memory and anti- austerity protests in Spain
Respondent: Bart Cammaerts (LSE)

Panel 2: Memory and Mobilization in Eastern Europe
Félix Krawatzek (Nuffield College, University of Oxford) – Restaging Russia’s controversial past: memory in political youth mobilization
Rolf Fredheim (Girton College, University of Cambridge) – August 1991 and the memory of communism in Russia
Respondent: Terhi Rantanen (LSE)

Closing round
Pollyanna Ruiz (University of Sussex) – Technology, activism and the dynamics of intergenerational memory
Respondent: Marianne Franklin (Goldsmiths)

Roundtable and book launch – Vikki Bell’s The Art of Post-dictatorship: Ethics and Aesthetics in Transitional Argentina (Routledge, 2014)
Chair: Jordana Blejmar

Speakers:
Vikki Bell (Goldsmiths, University of London) – Post-dictatorship, before memory: Ethics & in/aesthetics
Graciela Sacco (Visual Artist) – Admissible tension
Mara Polgovsky Ezcurra (University of Cambridge) – Nudities: León Ferrari’s political bodies and/in intimate exposure
Claudia Fontes (Visual Artist) – Citizens, tourists and idiots

A wine reception will conclude the day.

Intercultural Dialogue Day

The European Federation for Intercultural Learning (the federation of AFS organizations in Europe) sponsors Intercultural Dialogue Day each year on the last Thursday of September. On that day AFS promotes intercultural dialogue and diversity through youth exchanges. It is organised by AFS volunteers across Europe and addresses public audiences in an interactive way
in order to raise awareness. In 2014 the theme is “Diversity Education.”

This year the project is also supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

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Int’l Day of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”. The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.