*apologies for cross-posting*

FEMINIST MEDIA STUDIES
Commentary and Criticism Call for Papers

We are living in a moment in which feminism has become, sort of incredibly, popular. It is “popular” in at least three senses: one, contemporary feminism is circulated in discourses and practices in mainstream and commercial media, including digital spaces like blogs, Instagram, and Twitter, in addition to broadcast media. As such, these discourses of feminism have an accessibility that is not confined to academic enclaves or niche groups. Two, “popular” feminism is also about popularity, a condition of being liked or admired by like-minded people and groups. And three, the popular is, as Stuart Hall argued, a terrain of struggle, a space where competing demands for power battle it out. Popular feminism has, in many ways, allowed us to imagine a culture where feminism, in every form, doesn’t have to be defended, is accessible, and is even admired, though some feminisms are more visible than others. But what precisely does popular feminism look like? How does it circulate?  Who are its ideal constituents? What does the popularity of feminism mean for feminist media studies? These questions have been asked more and more over the past decade, as versions of popular feminism have circulated more broadly throughout the world. And, these questions have only grown more urgent, as feminist manifestos have crowded most media platforms, making a particular feminist subjectivity and its parent political commitments both hyper-visible and normative within popular media. We are, therefore, seeking diverse analyses of “popular feminism” for an upcoming issue of Feminist Media Studies’ Commentary & Criticism. As always, we are particularly interested in submissions from beyond North America and the UK.

The Commentary and Criticism section of Feminist Media Studies aims to publish brief (~1000 words), timely responses to current issues in feminist media culture, for an international readership. Submissions may pose a provocation, describe work in progress, or propose areas for future study. We will also consider book and event reviews, as well as contributions that depart from traditional academic formats. We encourage all submissions to strategically mobilize critique to also offer a productive contribution to both feminist politics and media studies. Submissions must go beyond mere description in order to be considered for publication in Commentary and Criticism.

Please submit contributions by 1 May 2017, via email to all three editors: Sarah Banet-Weiser ([log in to unmask]), Susan Berridge ([log in to unmask]), and Laura Portwood-Stacer ([log in to unmask]). Questions and expressions of interest can also be addressed to Drs. Banet-Weiser, Berridge, and Portwood-Stacer in advance of the deadline.

Email submissions directly to the editors, as submissions for Commentary and Criticism will not be correctly processed if submitted through the main Feminist Media Studies site.

Please be sure to follow the Feminist Media Studies style guide, which can be found at the following link: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/journal.asp?issn=1468-0777&linktype=44​

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