CFP From Multitudes to Crowds in Social Movements (Lisbon)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
From Multitude to Crowds in Social Movements – publics, gatherings, networks and media in the 21th century
Lisbon, 26-27 January 2015
Co-organized by CECL/CECC
hosted by the Catholic University of Portugal

The International Conference “From Multitude to Crowds in Social Movements – publics, gatherings, networks and media in the 21th century” aims to discuss media relevance on present-day social movements and if and how collective action is being transformed in contemporary mediatized societies (Adolf, 2011; Burton, 2010). How should we think the relation between mediatization and public experience? What is the symbolic meaning attached to the occupation of public spaces such as streets, plazas or official premises? How do social movements’ commitment to change (Tilly, 1977) use social media to establish a unified system of belief? How do they relate to the “crisis of representation” in contemporary social and political systems? What is the place of crowds in social movements? What is the relation between multitudes, crowds and publics? How do publics engage in “public action regimes” (Cefaï and Pasquier, 2003)? How are Sociology, Political Science and Communication Sciences reacting to the new developments in social organization and public expression?

This two-day event brings together scholars from a variety of disciplines such as Communication Sciences, Sociology or Political Science to bring an updated perspective on the ways notions of multitude, crowds, social movements and media intersect. It proposes to study social movements repertoires and how social groups are led to adapt, improvise and invent new ones, under the social constraints imposed by the use or presence of media.

Confirmed Speakers:
Dr. Christian Borch (Copenhagen Business School, CBS, Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy); Dr. Erik Neveu (Sciences Po Rennes) Dr. Gustavo Cardoso (ISCTE- Lisbon Universitary Institute) Dr. João Carlos Correia (University of Beira Interior)

A Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Conference comprehending the following keywords:
Social Movements Studies; Media Studies; Political Communication; Social Networks; Media Events; Public Sphere; Social Movements Sociology; Sociology of the Publics; Crowds; Multitudes; Social Psychology; Social Policy and Law.

Official Language: English
Submission of Abstracts:
We welcome proposals of no more than 300 words, by August 31st 2014, including a title, abstract, four keywords, a short-bio and affiliation details. Send the proposals in RTF or PDF format to the following email: frommultitudetocrowds@gmail.com

Timeline
Submission of Abstracts Deadline: August 31st 2014
Notification on the Acceptance of the Abstract: October 1st 2014
Submission of Full Paper Deadline: December 15th 2014
Registration Fee:
Early-bird (until October 31st, 2014) – 80 Euros
Standard (from November to December 2014) – 130 Euros
Last Minute (January 2015) – 180 Euros
Undergraduate Students – 25 Euros

CFP ECREA’s European Communication conference

ECREA’s 5th European Communication Conference

The European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), in partnership with Lusofona University, will organise the 5th European Communication Conference (ECC). The Conference, due to take place in Lisbon from 12 to 15 November 2014, has chosen as its overarching theme, ‘Communication for Empowerment: Citizens, Markets, Innovations’. The organisers call for proposals in all fields of communication and media studies, but particularly invite conceptual, empirical, and methodological proposals on inter- and transcultural communication phenomena and/or on comparative research. that link the general conference theme, as developed below, to the fields pertinent to each ECREA section.

CFP: ‘Communication for Empowerment: Citizens, Markets, Innovations’

The ubiquitous presence of the media in contemporary society has led to the macro-institutions of society increasingly adapting themselves to (new) media logics , whereby there ceases to be a clear-cut separation between media and other social/cultural institutions. This situation begs for an analysis of how the fast-paced social and technological innovations of our media ecology alter various aspects of daily life, transforming national boundaries into transnational spaces, with resonance on markets and consumption. At the same time that the liberalization of content creation brought about by new media paves the way for innovations and the democratization of the creative economy through the production and distribution of user-generated content, we increasingly witness the prevalence of large economic groups in the design, control and filtering of information. Moreover, the interactive dimension of new technologies not only allows for the voluntary visibility of individuals and groups, but also acts as a means of disciplinary surveillance. As such, increasing cultural, economic and technological convergence implies the mastering of new literacies that allow for the use and critical understanding of both media form and media content. Reflection on the regulatory politics of the communication sector is thus paramount to facilitating both greater mobilization as well as political and cultural participation on the part of the common citizen in public space. Further, we should rethink the necessary balance between the public interest and the interests of the market, so as to ensure the promotion of citizenship, social capital and social inclusion.

Proposals for panels, individual papers and posters can be submitted to one of the 17 ECREA sections through the conference website from 1 December 2013 to 28 February 2014.

Abstracts should be written in English and contain a clear outline of the argument, the theoretical framework, and, where applicable, methodology and results. The preferred length of the individual abstracts is between 400 and 500 words (the maximum is 500 words).

Panel proposals, which should consist of five individual contributions, combine a panel abstract with five individual abstracts, each of which are between 400 and 500 words. Participants may submit more than one proposal, but only one paper or poster by the same first author will be accepted.

First authors can still be second (or third, etc.) author of other papers or posters, and can still act as chair or respondent of a panel.

All proposals should be submitted through the conference website from 1 December 2013 to 28 February 2014. Early submission is strongly encouraged. Please note that this submission deadline will not be extended.

Save

Study abroad-Lisbon

The Study Abroad Umass in Lisbon Program.

UMass in Lisbon, sponsored by the UMass Dartmouth Center for Portuguese Studies with the support of the Luso-American Foundation, is a UMass system-wide program that offers American students the opportunity to spend a semester or year in the vibrant capital city of Lisbon learning about the vast Portuguese-speaking world and European Union.

As the only residential study abroad program in Portugal managed directly by a major American university, UMass in Lisbon provides unrivaled access to one of the world’s most strategic centers of language and culture. Through our partnership with The University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL), students will have curricular choices in both English and Portuguese, to supplement the offerings of UMass courses taught on site by both UMass and Portuguese faculty. In addition, each student will take a course in language/culture study at her or his specific instructional level. A significant number of field trips will complement classroom learning, and living accommodations and classrooms will be shared with European ERASMUS and Portuguese university students.

Administrative assistance is available 24/7. A summer program offers additional UMass courses and access to courses and facilities of the Technical University of Lisbon’s Superior Institute of Economics and Management (ISEG-UTL).

Visiting fellows-Portugal

FLAD VISITING FELLOWS IN-KIND GRANT PROGRAM 2012/2013

The Luso-American Development Foundation (Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento – FLAD) is opening its facilities to host up to eight fellows per semester. Eligibility is limited to professors and researchers from U.S. universities and research institutions. Candidates may apply for one semester or one academic year.

FLAD Visiting Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Foundation’s headquarters while developing a research project that is compatible with FLAD’s mission and priority areas.

Visiting fellows will be provided with office space, free internet access, limited printing, photocopy, phone (domestic calls) and mailing privileges, and other resources, adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

FLAD will contribute with its best efforts to provide a network of suitable contacts in desired research areas, setting up meetings and site visits when possible. FLAD Fellows may also participate in FLAD’s events, and collaborate on designing new projects and research engagements. These are special ‘program-launching’ conditions, and may be adjusted for competitions in subsequent academic years.

We are especially interested in hosting individuals who have a track-record of distinguished scholarship, success in securing external support for their research, and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries. We welcome requests from individuals who are looking for a collaborative research environment to spend their sabbatical.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, candidates should use FLAD’s online application system to submit the following materials:
– Curriculum vitae;
– Statement of purpose, including an explanation of their research project, an outline of additional activities they would like to be involved in while in Portugal, and a list of funding sources (e.g. grants, gifts, contracts, salary) for their stay in Portugal;
– Letter(s) of support from Portuguese institution(s) (optional);
– Two reference letters.

Preference will be given to candidates showing evidence (letter of support) of having links to Portuguese universities and research institutions.

APPLICATION AND ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES FOR AY 2012/1013:– Applications for the fall 2012 semester (August-December) must be submitted by May 31, 2012;
– Applications for the spring 2013 semester (January-June) must be submitted by September 1, 2012.
Decisions regarding the selection of FLAD Visiting Fellows are made four weeks after the application deadline.

Upon acceptance of the fellowship, selected candidates are requested to submit a USD $100 deposit fee, refundable after their arrival in Portugal, to guarantee the office space and additional logistics involved.

%d bloggers like this: