‘New Directions in Media Research: Postgraduate research day’ 
- June 14th 2013
The Department of Media and Communication
University of Leicester
Bankfield House
132 New Walk
Leicester
LE1 7JA

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE - 22nd March 2013, 5pm.

This second annual conference aims to celebrate the diverse research interests held by PhD research students in the Department of Media and Communication, whilst also providing an opportunity to reach out and establish links with other researchers working in similar disciplines from other departments and universities. 

About the Department of Media and Communication:
The Department of Media and Communication at the University of Leicester is based within the College of Social Sciences and has been at the forefront of media research since 1966 when it was established as the Centre for Mass Communications Research (CMCR). In 2006, CMCR evolved into the Department of Media and Communication as we celebrated 40 years of Media at Leicester. Research is still at the heart of the department with three active research groups: News and Journalism, IDeoGRAMS and Cultural Production & Consumption.  The Department supports and encourages a variety of research interests and approaches to the study of media, communications and information technologies. 


Confirmed Plenary Speakers
•	Professor Peter Lunt :
Head of Department, Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester.
Peter’s research interests include media audiences, public participation in popular culture, media regulation, consumption research and the links between media and social theory.
Recent activities and publications include an ESRC funded research project about media policy focusing on the changing regime of regulation of media and communications in the UK through a study of the work of Ofcom, the findings of which are published in the book with Sonia Livingstone ‘Media Regulation: Governance in the Interests of Citizens and Consumers.’ .

•	Dr Mirca Madianou :
Director of Post-graduate Research Studies, Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester. 
Mirca’s research interests include how new communication technologies can be used in interpersonal relationships especially in the context of migration; ICTs and development; media and identities in a national and transnational context; media audiences, especially the audiences for news media; the emotional dimension of mediated communication; media ethics; comparative ethnography. 
Recent activities involve an ESRC-funded study on Migration, ICTs and the transformation of transnational family life (2007-2011) and the publication of her first book ‘Mediating the Nation: News, audiences and the politics of identity’.


CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
This one day event, organised by PhD students is aimed at giving post-graduate research students the opportunity to share their research with fellow students and academic staff. The day will be a great opportunity to gain confidence at presenting, network with fellow researchers, contribute to critical discussion and help to create an active research community that will benefit us all.
We invite PhD students in all years of study and at all stages of their research to submit an abstract for the event. Presentations should relate to one of the five key themes below but can draw on any aspect of your PhD research from methodology to findings and anything in between. 
The core themes for the day are:
•	Media and development
•	Research Methods: focusing on the application of research methods to study media related environments and issues.
•	Media and Politics
•	De-westernising Media Studies
•	Media Production, Consumption and Representation

(Please note that ‘media’ refers to both traditional forms of media as well as new media and digital technologies.) 

Abstracts should be no longer than 200 words.
Presentations on the day should be no longer than 15 minutes. 

How do I submit an abstract?

Please send your abstract (no longer than 200 words) including your name, institution and contact details to:  [log in to unmask] by Friday 22nd March 2013 5pm.


When will I find out if my abstract has been accepted?
We will notify everyone with a provisional programme by the 22nd April 2013.

Registration: 
Registration details for the event will be circulated in April 2013.

Any Queries?
For general queries please contact Rahma Al Foori: [log in to unmask]
For queries relating to abstract submission please contact Jennifer Cole: [log in to unmask]