Braga 2010 - Participatory Communication Research Section Call for Papers

braga_2010The Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR) invites submissions for its open sessions at the IAMCR 2010 Conference in Braga, Portugal under the general theme of the conference "Communication and Citizenship: Rethinking Crisis and Change". Under this umbrella, papers from a wide range of perspectives on communication, participation and change will be considered.

The work that is presented in the Participatory Communication Research Section is not based on any specific definition of participation. Rather, participation is a term used to refer to a variety of social and planning processes that occur in myriad ways and in many different contexts. This Section addresses issues related to communication within community and between stakeholders who are engaged in processes of social change. The sessions are meant to work toward theoretical and methodological clarification. Therefore, both papers and statements discussing theoretical or methodological perspectives and/or documenting specific case studies are welcome.

Topics that will be considered include a wide variety of issues that relate to research in relation to processes of communication founded on participation. This includes subjects and processes of democratisation, communication and information rights, ICTs for sustainable development, health communication, environmental communication, agricultural extension services, communication for advocacy, folk media and social movements, communication planning activities and interventions, national and cultural identities, community studies and the relationship between participation, empowerment and gender, community radio and participatory video production, non-formal participatory forms of education, participatory rapid appraisals, participatory action research, and so on.

Special Themes:

Besides the open call for papers, we would like to invite papers, which address the following special themes:

  1. Participatory Communication and the Facilitation of Climate ChangeAdaptation
    Climate change adaptation requires human change at individual and community levels. New adaptation strategies are being developed, testedand implemented. Various adaptive capacities are being build. The PCR Section invites papers, which discuss the role of participatory communication and facilitation in these adaptation processes to climate change at different levels.
  2. Participatory Communications, Citizenship and Indigenous Communities
    It is arguable that the communities most affected by climate change are those on the edge including indigenous communities who face issues with de-forestation, the loss of land, and face major conflicts over culture, the economy and politics. The PCR section invites papers that explore the role of participatory communication in the strengthening of advocacy, education and the empowerment of indigenous communities.

  3. New Approaches in the Pedagogy of Participatory Communications
    As the pedagogy of participatory communications becomes global, there is need for an understanding and awareness of the specific pedagogical methods used in both formal and non-formal contexts. These methods include technological mediated, virtual and face to face learning. The PCR invites papers that highlight the uses of creative, innovative teaching and learning in areas to do with participatory communications.
  4. HIV/AIDS and Participatory Communication Approaches (joined session with the Communication and HIV/AIDS Working Group)
    The PCR Section and the Communication and HIV/AIDS Working Group are inviting papers for a special session on the participation and communication in HIV/AIDS responses. The epidemic has highlighted the importance of issues of participation, social inclusion and exclusion, and the challenges posed by marginalization, stigma and discrimination. We invite papers from those engaging in research and practice related to participation and participatory approaches to communication within the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Logistics:

  • Joint sessions with other relevant sections and working groups can be organised. Please do not submit your abstract to several sections and groups.
  • The deadline for the submission of abstracts (500 words) is January 31, 2010. You will be informed whether or not your abstract is accepted by March 15, 2010. The deadline for full papers is April 30, 2010.
  • There are to be no biographical notes or references in the abstract.
  • Please submit your abstract on-line at the conference website. Alternatively you may send it to:

Section Head:

Rico Lie
Wageningen University
Communication Science
Rico.Lie[AT]wur.nl
http://www.com.wur.nl
Postal address: P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands

Section Vice Head:

Pradip Thomas
University of Queensland
School of Journalism and Communication
pradip.thomas[AT]uq.edu.au
http://www.uq.edu.au/journ-comm/
Postal address: St. Lucia Campus, QLD 4072, Brisbane, Australia