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Istanbul 2011 - Global Media Policy Working Group Call for Papers
istanbulIAMCR Conference 2011
13-17 July, 2011 - Istanbul, Turkey
IAMCR Working Group on Global Media Policy
Call for papers


The Working Group on Global Media Policy is a dedicated space within the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) to discuss global aspects of communication governance and investigate the interplay between different policy actors and levels, from the local to the global, and the political processes that shape media policies. It serves as a forum of debate on these questions at annual IAMCR conferences, and it has created the project Mapping Global Media Policy to advance research in specific policy domains and to map out Global Media Policy as a field of research.

The upcoming IAMCR conference - Istanbul 2011 - focuses on the nexus among 'Cities, Creativity, Connectivity'. Questions of connectivity across and beyond physical localities, and globalized networks and initiatives that support creative forms of political participation, are at the core of the Working Group's interests. The outcome of such transformations and encounters, and their impact on peoples' communication capacities depends on the roles played by many actors, both governmental and nongovernmental; it depends on politically oriented actors, their interests, political capacity and, ultimately, on their power.

Research in global media policy and communication governance addresses the challenges of creativity and connectivity by investigating the many venues and processes where basic principles  - such as access, freedom, diversity, participation, competition, innovation - are translated into public debates, norms and formal provisions. It outlines opposing views, competing interests and controversial outcomes.

In order to shed light on evolving discourses, controversial issues and current trends in governing arrangements that pertain specifically to enhancing the creative potential of global communications and to fostering global connectedness among individuals and communities, the Working Group on Global Media Policy invites proposals that contribute to:

  • updating the conceptual machinery (core concepts, categories, terminology) through which we investigate the governance of global communications;
  • outlining emerging theoretical and methodological approaches, in particular multidimensional and trans-disciplinary perspectives and frameworks;
  • mapping specific policy areas, themes or processes, by considering relevant actors, debates and outcomes of the specific area.
Due to its functioning as an active space for discussion, the Working Group has limited space for paper presentations. We encourage you to consider carefully if your proposal focuses on the key aspects outlined in this call. Otherwise you may want to consider submitting to other sections that deal with policy issues.

Abstract Submission

Applicants are invited to submit a 400 word abstract that describes the topic of their paper and how it relates to the key questions outlined in this call, including the theoretical framework and research methods adopted.

The deadline for the submission of abstracts is February 8, 2011. Please use IAMCR's Open Conference System (OCS) to submit your abstract.

The results of peer reviews of submitted abstracts will be announced by March 25, 2011. Full papers must be submitted online via the IAMCR-OCS by June 3, 2011.

For further information, please visit the Istanbul 2011 conference website.