Please note that the deadline for receipt of abstracts for the Young
People, New Technologies and Political Engagement seminar has been
extended until 9th March. In addition to our esteemed key speakers, we are
delighted to have received a variety of paper proposals from both
academics and practitioners from around the world. However, in the
interests of maximizing the opportunities for participation we would like
to offer a few more days for anyone else considering submitting a proposal
at this busy time of year.
Call for papers follows…
CALL FOR PAPERS
Young People, New Technologies and Political Engagement
University of Surrey, 24-25 July 2007
CONFIRMED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Prof. Lance Bennett (Center for Communication and Civic Engagement,
University of Washington)
Prof. Stephen Coleman (Institute of Communication Studies, University of
Leeds)
Dr. Anita Harris (Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies, University of
Queensland)
Further keynote speakers TBC
Against the backdrop of increasing concern about the disengagement of
youth from politics and the public sphere, the relationship between new
technologies and young people’s political engagement and participation is
a cross-disciplinary issue of considerable importance not only to
academics but to practitioners and policymakers across the world.
There is now a large body of literature which has explored the potential
of ‘digital democracy’ to revitalise political life and challenge
conventional forms of political participation. Separately, youth
researchers have provided considerable insights into the way new
technologies are influencing – and are themselves influenced by – the
lives and identities of young people. Only recently, though, has
significant research attention begun to focus upon the particular
relationships – potential and actual – between new technologies and
political engagement amongst the young.
This seminar intends to contribute to the development of research and
theory in this crucial area by providing a forum for scholars from across
the world to share the findings of empirical and theoretical work, discuss
the policy implications of their research, and strengthen their
international and inter-disciplinary ties. We aim to bring together
leading figures in the subject area from across the globe as well as to
offer a valuable international forum for emerging projects and individuals.
Proposals are therefore invited for papers focused upon any aspect of the
relationship between young people, new technologies and political
engagement. As well as encouraging contributions from a variety of
academic disciplines and perspectives, we would particularly welcome
papers from practitioners and policy-makers.
The event is organised by the British Sociological Association’s Youth
Study Group in association with the University of Surrey’s Institute of
Advanced Studies and The Social Policy Association.
We are able to offer up to six grants (of up to £200) to speakers
travelling to the event from outside the UK. If you would like to be
considered for such a grant, please make this clear when sending your
abstract.
Please send abstracts (of up to 250 words) to Dr Rachel Brooks at the
University of Surrey ([log in to unmask]) by 9 March 2007 at the
latest. Please include full contact details with your proposal. For
further information, please contact Dr Rachel Brooks or Dr Paul Hodkinson
([log in to unmask]).
Further information about the event will soon be available on the
Institute for Advanced Studies website: http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/ias/
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