4th International Conference

Cultural Difference and
Social Solidarity Network

Differences, Solidarities and Digital Technologies

Hosted by
Middle East Technical University
Northern Cyprus Campus
 
Tuesday, 1 July through Friday, 4 July, 2014

The 4th International Conference of the Cultural Difference and Social Solidarity
Network aims to examine the influence of the spread and growth of digital technology
on constructions, concepts, and perceptions of difference and solidarity. By
“digital technology” we mean any combination of electronic devices and digital
communication including the devices themselves (from smart phones to servers),
software and applications, and communication networks. Approximately two thirds of
the world’s population (according to the World Bank) has limited access to digital
technologies, yet the remaining one third of the population who use these
technologies are arguably reshaping concepts of difference and solidarity that have
broad implications for all people, their social and cultural institutions, the
environment, economic systems, etc. As an example of an area of contested solidarity
and difference within that one third of global users, are the broad claims from
academia, the market, and digital technology proponents regarding the use of digital
technology and devices to promote solidarities, virtual and real, and create an
easing of difference through democratizing constructs such as increased access to
the internet and communication devices. Contrary arguments assert that solidarities
in a virtual world are not possible; that the democratizing effect of the internet,
or even wireless service, is an illusion constructed by large corporations that
control many of the on-ramps and consumer interfaces of the web in neoliberal
societies; and that the growth of use of digital technologies creates new
differences and increasingly solidifies existing ones.
 
This conference seeks to provide a space for scholars to take stock of the present
global context and share knowledge – specific or general, empirical or theoretical,
with a view to develop and explore the possible ways of understanding the impact of
digital technologies on differences and solidarities. The conference is intended to
be interdisciplinary and welcomes papers from scholars whose research crosses
traditional disciplinary boundaries. Papers and panels are sought for presentation
at parallel sessions where each paper will have a strict maximum of 20 minutes
presentation time on panels of 2 papers with 25 minutes per paper discussion time. 
 
Initial starting points for paper topics on the 2014 conference theme are listed
below. We will also consider papers on themes from previous conferences and/or
previous participants who have on-going research on broader areas of difference and
solidarity. All papers/presentations should in some way connect to, or address,
Cultural Difference and Social Solidarity:
 
Social media:
Identity 
Economy 
Politics 
Law 
War 
Governments 
Revolutions 
Displacement 
Sex 
Bullying 
Religion
Technology and hegemonies
Academia and technology:
New disciplines e.g. Digital humanities 
Academic freedom 
Discrimination 
Discourse 
Exploitation 
Inclusive/exclusive methodologies
Electronics production:
mining, manufacture, distribution, retail
E-waste
Passive and active digital media
Ethics and digital technology
Art and Culture
Digital geography
Digital nativism
New media subjectivity
Gaming
Digital literacy
Epistemology
Experience
 
These themes are not exhaustive and the organizers will consider other papers
relevant to the conference subject of Digital Technologies and Cultural Difference
and Social Solidarity. We expect to publish a post-conference edited book, derived
from the papers presented and organized around themes that reveal themselves during
the conference. 
 
There will be two keynote plenary sessions with speakers to be announced. Reflecting
the conference theme in the context of the conference venue, one of these sessions
will focus on aspects of these themes in Cyprus.
 
Abstracts may be submitted anytime until March 31, 2014 
Notification of abstract acceptances and rejections is on a rolling basis (within 3
weeks of submission) 
Online conference registration open from March 17, 2014 to May 30, 2014 
Conference Fees to be paid by May 30, 2014
 
The conference language is English and all papers and presentations should be in
English.
 
The conference fee is 395 Euros (295 Euros for post-grad students and
non-participants).
 This fee includes:
Registration 
Transfers  to and from Ercan Airport in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to
METU-NCC Campus 
4 nights at Campus Guest House with breakfast 
4 lunches 
2 Sunset Dinners (all drinks included) 
1 Dinner Banquet (non-alcoholic drinks included) 
Guided Historic/Cultural Excursion
Abstracts of no more than 350 words may be submitted online only -
http://www.differenceandsolidarity.org/

For any questions or concerns please see our website, including the FAQ page, or
contact the conference organizers at the email address below.
 Conference Organisers:
Scott H. Boyd
Middle East Technical University – Northern Cyprus Campus
Paul Reynolds
Edge Hill University
 
 
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