Call for Papers

Theme: Continuity and Change – Media, Communications and Politics

Call for proposals closed on 29 June 2018

We invited delegates to submit abstracts, panel proposals and practice-based contributions for the next Annual MeCCSA Conference, to be held for the first time in Scotland from 9 to 11 January 2019 at the University of Stirling.

The theme of the MeCCSA 2019 conference is Continuity and Change – Media, Communications and Politics. The theme is designed to address the role of traditional and digital media and communications in maintaining continuity and advocating for political change, whilst also speaking to specific anniversaries significant to Scotland, including the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.

The old expression, “the more things change, the more they remain the same”, is only partly true. Despite substantial and widespread changes in media, society and politics, several aspects and structures remain constant. Change and continuity are ever-present and simultaneous aspects of life and judging the importance of changes and constants help us to understand our place in contemporary society and history. The conference theme addresses the role of media and communications in long- and short-term continuities and discontinuities as well as interrogates the concept of continuity with change. How are lives, cultures and conditions alike over time and how have they changed? What is the role of media, communications and politics in advocating change or maintaining status quo?

We invited proposals for scholarly papers, themed panels, posters, film screenings and other practice-based contributions, which engage with various social, political, economic, artistic, organisational, individual, collective and technological dimensions of continuity and change in media, communications and politics. Potential topics could include, but are not limited to:

Media activism and civic engagement
Digital cultures
Media, communications and politics in devolved political contexts
Documenting political change
Media archives and pedagogy
Ways of witnessing
Crisis and change communications
Media representations of marginal groups
Ethics, power and responsibility
Scottish media and communications industries
Academics in the media/mediated academics
Cultural histories of film, media and communications in research and education

The conference is the annual presentation of the best work across the whole range of MeCCSA interests and is also an opportunity to hear about and discuss important topics in both media and HE policy relevant to MeCCSA members.

We welcomed papers, panels, film screenings and other practice-based contributions across the full range of interests represented by MeCCSA and its networks, including, but not limited to:

Cultural and media policy
Film and television studies and practice
Radio studies and practice
Representation, identity, ideology
Social movements
Digital games studies
Women’s media studies
Disability studies within media studies
Approaches to media pedagogy
Children, young people and media
Diasporic and ethnic minority media
Political communication
Methodological approaches
Media practice research and teaching

Submitting a proposal

Individual abstracts should be up to 250 words. Panel proposals should include a short description and rationale (200 words) together with abstracts for each of the 3-4 papers (150-200 words each including details of the contributor), and the name and contact details of the panel proposer. The panel proposer should coordinate the submissions for that panel as a single proposal.

Practice-based work

We actively support the presentation of practice-as-research and have a flexible approach to practice papers and presentations. This may include opportunities to present papers and screenings in the same sessions or as part of a separate screening strand. We also welcome shorter papers in association with short screenings/sharing. We have dedicated presentation spaces to display practice artefacts including screenings, posters and computer-based work. For displaying practice work, please include specific technical data (e.g. duration, format) and a URL pointing to any support material when submitting your abstract.

Call for proposals is now closed.