*Apologies for cross posting*

Deadline Extended: Call for Abstracts
New Directions in Media, Communication and Sociology (NDiMS) Conference 2017

Theme: Mobilities and Solidarities in Times of Social Change

Taking place on Monday, the 3th of July 2017 at the School of Media, Communication and Sociology, University of Leicester

Deadline to submit: 11th of June, 2017

We would like to invite PhD-students and early career researchers to submit an abstract for the NDiMS 2017, taking place at the University of Leicester on the 3th of July, 2017.

Social and political developments in the UK, the US but also globally has reinforced uncertainty among many. The success of the Brexit campaign and successively the triggering of Article 50 and the presidency of Donald Trump are two pivotal turning-points forces us to critically rethink issues around social and physical (im)mobilities and for instance the potential contradictions between globalisation and nationalism, cosmopolitanism and nativism. They can also make us rethink supposedly progressive narratives around the post-national, post-radical and post-feminism. What space is there for critical thinking in this ever-increasing neoliberalising world?

In this conference we aim to rethink the role of social science research situated within the fields of Media, Communication and Sociology not only to further understand what is going on in the world and to enhance academic knowledge. We might also want to consider how our research can potentially contribute to social change, for instance through connections and communication. Moreover, dark(er) times not only need enlightenment, but also entertainment. How can we be engaged and unite without becoming depressed or discouraged, and incorporate elements of play and care within our research?

Confirmed key note speakers are:
- Prof. dr. Thomas Tufte (University of Leicester, School of Media, Communication and Sociology). ‘Towards Global Cognitive Justice? Exploring the Crisis of Development and Communication from Below’.
- Dr. Ipek Demir (University of Leicester associate Professor at the School of Media, Communication and Sociology). 'The contemporary politics of resentment: multiculturalism, loss of privilege and Brexit'.
- Dr. Jason Vincent Cabanes (University of Leeds, School of Media and Communication, Lecturer in International Communication): ‘On the mediation of multiculturalism amongst cultural communities in/from the Global South’.

The event will close with a roundtable on publishing, and will include the participation of several of the key note speakers as well as Professor Henriette O’Connor Chair of Sociological Research Online Editorial Board, member of the Editorial Board of Sociology and Associate Editor of the Journal of Youth Studies.

In this conference we are therefore looking for contributions for papers, specifically but not exclusively, touching upon the following themes:

- Becoming: youth, childhood, generations
- Belonging, Identities, Citizenship
- Class, Race and Gender
- Cultural and Media Industries
- Digital networks and communication
- Diaspora and Transnationalism
- Exchange, Labour and (Re)Production
- Globalisation
- Media Audiences
- Media Production and Representations
- Media and Development
- Migration and other kinds of Mobility
- (New) Media and Politics
- (New) Media and Culture
- (New) Media, Journalism and News
- (New) Media and Society
- (Innovative) Research Methods of Social Change
- Public Communication
- Public Sociology / Activism
- Science and Technology Studies
- Social Movements
- Happiness, Health and Well-being

Considering the wide array of topics, we will organise different parallel groups of people conducting similar work. This suggests there will be a stream that contains more sociology-oriented research, and more media-oriented research, but we are also much interested in contributions that overlap.

This conference is a follow-up to the very successful New Direction in Media Research (NDiMR) that has been held annually since 2011. The establishment of the School of Media, Communication and Sociology an excellent opportunity to continue this success, but in a slightly different, more interdisciplinary-oriented from. Like the NDiMR the conference focuses in particular on new and innovative research developments within Media and Communication as well as Sociology research. Its main aim it provide a friendly space where PhD-students at all stages of their research and early-career researchers with a platform and an opportunity to practice presentation skills and share their research. This enables attendees to network with beginning and more established researchers who study the same research area as them, but also gives opportunities to learn about research projects in different areas, which can enhance and broaden one’s research study experience.

We ask you to submit the title of your work and an abstract of maximum 300 words by Sunday, the 11th of June, 23.59 GMT to Mirjam Twigt, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, Aynur Unal, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> and Sagar Sonawane, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

We will notify you by the 16th of June whether your abstract is accepted.

There are limited slots available for attendees who do not present their own work. Please contact us regarding enquiries to attend without presenting.

Costs: The conference fee is £10. This is a contribution in solidarity with those attendees whose do not have PhD-funding that covers travel costs. These attendees can contact us for additional travel funding. There is a cap of £ 75 and is based upon a first come first serve-policy.

We look forward to see you there!

On behalf of the organising committee, all the best wishes,

Mirjam A. Twigt

PhD-student, Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Sociology / Media and Communication
University of Leicester

Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

UK: +44 74 421 555 49 / Jordan: + 962 795 817 832 / Skype: mirjam.twigt

* RESEARCH PROJECT

http://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/migration-research-group/members/mirjam-abigail-twigt

* PUBLICATIONS

http://www.fmreview.org/destination-europe/twigt
https://www.iz3w.org/zeitschrift/ausgaben/352_refugees