IAMCR 2014 – Gender and Communication Section CFP

The Gender and Communication Section invites submissions for its open session at this year’s IAMCR, held in Hyderabad, India from 15-19 July 2014. The section seeks research that balances theory and practice, and explores the relationship between gender, media and communication. In recent years sessions have included papers on the Internet, television, film, journalism, magazines, violence, queer theory, media production, reception, advertising, representation, the Global Media Monitoring Project, human rights, discrimination, elections, the body, HIV/AIDS, development, pop culture, virtual identity, social change, and consumption. In keeping with our philosophy of inclusivity, we welcome contributions without regard to empirical, theoretical, disciplinary or philosophical perspectives.

Although we welcome submissions on any topic involving gender, media and communication, we encourage and will give special consideration to papers and panel proposals that examine connections to the conference theme  (Region as Frame: Politics, Presence, Practice). A list of possible topics has been suggested by conference organizers and can be found in the general call on the IAMCR website at http://iamcr2014.org/conference-theme/. Themes suggested there which seem most consonant with our section, include:

•	Papers which explore (gendered) dynamics of media systems, communication patterns and organizational relationships within the new “framing” of region as a physical and conceptual category
•	Papers which question the (gendered) politics that drive media discourse, organization and economics
•	What kind of presence is at all possible in this redefined regional space, and how does region (and/or gender) become a real and imagined construct across new media presences?
•	What sorts of (gendered) practices then become key to media and communication spaces enclosed in or defined by this new frame?

We encourage the submission of individual papers and complete panel proposals in any of the three official association languages (English, French, Spanish). 

A complete panel proposal will include: 
1. The panel description, including, the panel title, a framing text, the names of the panellists and the titles of their papers. The framing text (maximum 350 words) should contain the overall idea and goal of the panel. A panel chair and a discussant should also be proposed.
2. An abstract for each paper, including title and author(s). 

The panel description and the individual abstracts must be submitted individually. Thus a panel with 4 papers involves making 5 separate submissions via the Open Conference System. Abstracts can be submitted directly by the panel authors or the panel coordinator can submit them on the authors' behalf. 

Abstract submissions must indicate “PANEL:” as the first word of their title and the complete title of the panel must appear in the first line of the abstract. 

Individual papers:
Individuals may submit 1 abstract (paper) per Section or Working Group as lead author, and a maximum of 2 abstracts (papers) to a single IAMCR conference in general. Please note also that the same abstract or another version with minor variations in title or content must not be submitted to other Sections or Working Groups of the Association for consideration, after an initial submission. Such submissions will be deemed to be in breach of the conference guidelines and will be automatically rejected by the Open Conference System, by the relevant Head or by the Conference Programme Reviewer. Such applicants risk being removed entirely from the conference programme.

Presenters are expected to bring fully developed work to the conference. Prior to the conference, it is expected that a completed paper will be submitted to Section, Working Group, Session Chairs, and/or Discussants.
Upon submission of an abstract, you will be asked to confirm that your submission is original and that it has not been previously published in the form presented. You will also be given an opportunity to declare if your submission is currently before another conference for consideration.

Abstracts should be between 250 and 500 words, and should:
•	Have a clear title
•	Include the name(s) of author(s) and professional title(s) (i.e. professor, postdoctoral fellow, independent researcher, graduate student, student, etc.)
•	Outline the research objectives/questions/hypothesis
•	Outline the theoretical framework and methodology if relevant
•	Make clear the main argument proposed 
•	Bibliographies and author profiles are not required. 

The Gender and Communication section encourages its members to take part in their moderation and chairing sessions so please let us know if you are interested. Furthermore, we are looking for volunteers to take part in the blind peer review system. If interested, please contact the Chairs, Kaitlynn Mendes ([log in to unmask]) or Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh ([log in to unmask]). Success in organizing the conference relies on the assistance from its members. 

Individual papers and panels are possible, but all proposals must be submitted through the online Open Conference System at http://iamcr-ocs.org from 1 December 2013 – 10 February 2014. Early submission is strongly encouraged. There are to be no email submissions of abstracts addressed to any Section or Working Group Head

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 10 February 2014. Please note that this deadline will not be extended. The OCS system at will open on 1 December 2013, and will close on 10 February 2014. 

Decisions on acceptance of abstracts will be communicated to individual applicants by a section chair no later than 24 March 2014.

Participants will be asked to confirm their attendance by 15 April 2014.

The final conference programme will be known by 15 May 2014.

The deadline for full paper submission is 20 June 2014.