IAMCR Conference Fees

Debates and Proposals

  1. Letter from the Emerging Scholars Network to IAMCR International Council. July 14, 2010.
  2. Motion from the Emerging Scholars Network to the 2nd International Council Meeting at close of Braga Conference, endorsed by the Heads of Sections and Working Groups. July 21, 2010.
  3. Ensuing correspondence (arranged chronologically)
  4. Document prepared by the Emerging Scholars Network based on members' responses to the fees issues: experiences and proposals.

Letter from the Emerging Scholars Network to IAMCR International Council. July 14, 2010
To: s-wg[AT]iamcr.org
Cc: sara.bannerman[AT]gmail.com

Dear IAMCR Section Heads and International Council members

The Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) would like to raise the issue of conference fees. Many of our members felt that conference fees were too high - many had to cancel their participation for lack of funding.  The ESN appreciates the great efforts that have been made to establish     funding for the participation of members from low-income countries and efforts to reduce     fees for students and early registrants.  However, conference fees remain an issue for the ESN.

The IAMCR this year charged between $318 and $636USD [1] for student registration, and between $190 and $381USD [2] for students from low income countries. These rates are comparable to a months’ rent or more in some places. Many emerging scholars are not students – they are postdoctoral or  independent researchers, or contract instructors. Those emerging  scholars, many of whom receive no financial support for conference attendance, are    required to pay full registration fees of between $445 and $636USD [3] (or between $254 and $445 USD [4] for members from low income countries). IAMCR registration fees are astronomical for many emerging scholars, 59% of whom this year received NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT to attend IAMCR. They are also astronomical in comparison with other conferences. The International Communication Association, by comparison, charges $75 USD for student     registration.

The system of reduced fees for early registrants does not adequately meet the needs of emerging scholars.  Early registration deadlines often fall earlier than notification of travel funding.  This places many in the situation effectively betting: either registering early but not    getting funding to attend, thus losing any registration fee paid; or registering late if funding comes through, but having to pay several hundred dollars more.

We ask the IC to carefully consider the issue of conference fees for students/post-doctoral researchers/unemployed researchers, whose numbers have dramatically increased in the last few years. We are aware that this lack of funding does not affect only the youngest members of the association, but it is a common feature in times of economic crisis and of proletarization of academia.  Precarization of labour is a common feature everywhere. However, it is exactly when you are young/new to academia, or on a temporary contract that you need to attend IAMCR conference and establish links.

The ESN recognizes that the IAMCR has made efforts to reduce fees for students and early registrants.  However, more must be done.  We recommend, at a minimum, the following:

  • Expand the reduced fee category to include all emerging scholars, including all students, postdoctoral researchers, independent/low-waged researchers, and contract / low-waged instructors.
  • Registration fees of $100 or under for these groups, and less for those from low income countries.
  • Continue to work to expand sources of funding for scholars from low-income countries, and if possible for students from other countries as well.
  • Reduce the emphasis on early registration for emerging scholars in terms of fee reductions.

Please find attached a document that summarizes how the situation looks like from our point of view. We have gathered some stories from our members. We have also conducted a survey on conference fees amongst ESN members.

We would like to discuss this issue at the next IC meeting in Braga.

[1] 250€-500€.
[2] 150€-300€.
[3] 350€-500€.
[4] 200€-350€

Motion from the Emerging Scholars Network to the 2nd International Council Meeting at close of Braga Conference, endorsed by the Heads of Sections and Working Groups. July 21, 2010.

On 7/21/10 1:06 PM, "Sara Bannerman" <sara.bannerman.lists[AT]gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Members of the IAMCR,

Please see the statement below and a set of recommendations made by the Emerging Scholars Network that was endorsed on Saturday by the Heads of Sections and Working Groups.

The ESN proposes the following motions for the approval of the General Assembly:

  • The IAMCR recognizes the increasing precariousness of academic labour.
  • The IAMCR recognizes that this affects not only the youngest members of the association, but growing segments of academia. Significant effort should therefore be made to set IAMCR fees as low as possible.
  • The reduced fee category should be expanded so that it will include all students, postdoctoral researchers, part-time, and unemployed scholars.
  • Registration fees should be $100 or under for these groups, and less for those from low income countries.
  • The reduced fee category should be a flat rate with no early registration deadline.
  • IAMCR should continue to work to expand sources of funding for scholars from low-income countries and for students, exploring the option of allowing membership donations.
  • Registration fees should be waived for those in receipt of UNESCO travel grants.

Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Sara Bannerman and Stefania Milan, Emerging Scholars Network Co-Chairs

Ensuing correspondence (arranged chronologically)

Dear Colleagues,

Prohibitive conference fees were the initial reason that myself and some 20 fellow PhD students founded the Emerging Scholars Network (then Junior Scholars Network) in Glasgow, in 1998.

Since then, we have come far in supporting emerging scholars: we have two Young Scholars Awards (Schiller and Smythe awards); scholarships and funds for colleagues from low income countries and of course, we have the ESN, a thriving section and space that welcomes and supports young and new academics.

But, sadly our younger colleagues are still compelled to raise the issue in 2010. Despite organisers' best intentions and very hard work (and most impressive conferences!) fees have remained very high, and although it was simply wonderful to see so many young people at Braga and enjoy a wonderful conference, it is still the case that it wiped out the annual conference budget for many of us (neither young nor from low income countries) .
In the current disgraceful economic climate of threat and cuts, we must find ways to lower the financial bar and keep our communities alive.

With this in mind and in addition to the proposals made by ESN, I would like to suggest a couple more practices we can consider applying:

  1. Allow daily rates at fair prices as an option in addition to the conference package
  2. Provide discounts for students and postdocs when established scholars register from the same institution.
  3. If catering costs are too high, consider offering one even if modest meal/dining option per day included in the price, so that we keep sharing ideas and meet each other while engaging in the most culturally rich exchange experience.

Finally, this is not related to fees directly but to the experience of emerging scholars as IAMCR members: sections could consider organising sessions in such a way that an established and an emerging scholar co-chair sessions; this gives younger colleagues a bit more exposure and experience at a major conference such as this.

And... to get to the point of the motion, this is obviously a motion about fairness and recognition and I wholeheartedly support it.

With thanks,

Katharine Sarikakis, Leeds University, UK

 

Dear Colleagues,

Sharing the concerns of the ESN expressed in view of the GA of the association I would like to express my support for Katharine's proposals.

Regards!

Sophia Kaitatzi-Whitlock, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

 

I strongly support this set of recommendations, and I also hope that IAMCR registration fees for all participants will be lowered in the future.  One way to do this would be to offer an option with no meals, as do ICA and AEJMC, or allow registrants to check which meals they prefer and charge for only those meals checked.

David Weaver, Indiana University, United States

 

I could not be present in Braga but strongly agree with the proposed recommendation. David's recommendations have been discussed in the past and should be included as options.

Marjan de Bruin, University of the West Indies, Jamaica (and longstanding International Council member, JD)

Dear colleagues,

I would like to add my voice to those others which ask that the conference fee rate issue is considered, again. This is an issue which comes up regularly and it would be good if we could see movement before next year's conference. As well as establishing a sliding scale depending on status and geography, I would also like the debate about the inclusive/exclusive nature of the fee to be reactivated, in particular to offer a rate which would include refreshments but NOT lunch or the conference dinner, tickets for which could be purchased separately.  Whilst the dinner on Wednesday night was excellent, I can't imagine that many people would have voluntarily chosen to eat lunch in the university refectory in preference to the many cafes nearby!

Best wishes,

Karen Ross, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

Colleagues and friends,

let me add that people also look at regular conference fees of other, similar associations. Compared with most other associations in the field, IAMCR fees are simply not competitive. Arnold de Beer has mentioned ECREA. ICA is another example: ICA members from low-income countries pay, as "sustaining members", only USD 148 for their annual memberships PLUS conference fees! It is very difficult to understand why IAMCR, as one of the associations that truly aspire to global diversity, cannot set lower conference fees.
I therefore strongly endorse the motion that calls for a substantial reduction of future IAMCR conference fees.

Best regards,

Thomas Hanitzsch, University of Munich, Germany

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to add my voice to that of Prof David Weaver. For many years now there has been a call to the IAMCR to take this matter in hand. Of the main international organisations in the broad field of communication the IAMCR is perhaps the one that has the strongest focus on the Global South and its emerging scholars, especially also those from low-income countries. However, this focus stands to go to waste if no special effort is made to make it possible for these emerging scholars to attend IAMCR conferences. ECREA has set the tone with EUR 50.00 (early) registration for participants from soft currency countries. This is a far cry from $300-$400 registration fees mentioned below and a good example to follow.

Arnold de Beer, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

I would like to suggest that the basic fee should be at the lower side, so we maximize in terms of engaging people interested in Media and Communication Research. However we should have slightly higher fee for specialized sub committee, so people will only join if they are interested rather then just being a part of it as passive members.

Best regards,

Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer, Mishal (Pvt.) Limited, Pakistan

Even for academics like myself in 'developed' countries, it's unaffordable if one doesn't have funding for travel. What efforts has IAMCR taken up to find funding from donors? Some places to start having 'conversations'...

http://www.efc.be/NewsKnowledge/Pages/ForGrantseekers.aspx
http://www.smallfoundations.org/about/
http://fntg.org/

Becky Lentz, McGill University, Canada

I could never agree with you more. It is sad to miss the IAMCR conference for lack of funds. Ask me. I have checked some of the websites Prof Lentz has given below and I do believe we can source for some form of funding. IAMCR members work for different organisations and some of us have strong networks with funding organisations that can be approached for assistance. Whatever we do, let us make Istanbul 'a galaxy of communication scholars'.

Thanks guys.

Irene Awino

Perhaps IAMCR's leadership could put together a strategic development committee, if there isn't already one. That committee could convene using Skype or Elluminate or Go to Meeting to draw up some initial ideas and goals/tasks linked to the mission of IAMCR. From that, a series of letters, phone calls, etc. could follow to begin to create 'relationships' with donor organizations, their staff, etc....in the initial phases, not 'please fund us' but 'who might/should we be talking to about our goals to be more inclusive in our global meetings?', etc.; fundraising goals could be tied directly to IAMCR's 'objectives':

  • “promote global inclusiveness and excellence within the best traditions of critical research in the field”
  • “strengthening and encouraging the participation of new scholars, women, and those from economically disadvantaged regions, including researchers from African, Asian and South and Central American countries”

IAMCR’s leadership might also consider adding something about how IAMCR scholars/ship has led to outcomes of various kinds in our different regions. Funders who just fund scholarship don't necessarily require knowing the 'so what' of scholarship; they believe in it and its value doesn¹t have to be demonstrated; however, funders who fund NGOs, social change and other things often want to know more about 'knowledge mobilization'....

For IAMCR scholars, perhaps an annual survey using something easy to use like Survey Monkey could be initiated wherein each year we survey members about their work, the IAMCR organization, and other things to find out what their expectations of involvement in IAMCR are, in addition to how membership is advancing their scholarship in any number of ways.

Also, what would be the questions that would provide indicators of progress on the objectives quoted above, for example? How would we know each year ‘how we¹re doing’ on them? Comparing the results of the survey each year could provide some sense of progress toward objectives and also provide some data for use in fundraising.... Becky Lentz, McGill University, Montreal
May I suggest to organise the conference in countries where the expense is lower than in the developed countries? For examples: Thailand, KL, Jakarta or other Asian countries for a change? Like ICA in Singapore this summer, that will help many Asian scholars in saving lots of traveling times and expenses.

Thanks for your attention.

Olivine Lo, Hong Kong Shue Yan University

A robust, multiyear ‘IAMCR Travel Fund’ might help. Becky Lentz, McGill University, Montreal
NOTE: at this point the conversation took two turns, one on internet options for expanding contact and exchange, the other on reducing the costs of attendance. I have separated them below, putting the attendance costs string first.

JD

Dear All,

Recall that we have arranged to address the issue of student and junior scholar fees within the framework of the conference planning committee for Istanbul.

For those of you who were unable to attend the General Assembly, this was a compromise of sorts to avoid ruling on the issue in a way that might have damaged the emerging scholar cause precipitously. So, collecting sentiment is fine (good, important), but we are basically in agreement that something must be done and, hopefully, over a more extended period of deliberation, something constructive and prudent will be done.

Todd Holden, Tohoku University, Japan

 

Dear All,

I strongly support the ESN recommendations as well. Regarding fair & equitable price structures, many gatherings use some form of sliding scale, and I have seen international meetings of global justice networks sometimes also adjust fees not only based on income but also purchasing power parity or cost-of-living indices. The specific index used for calculation is less important than the goal: to equitably divide the cost of the conference among participants, proportionally according to their income (adjusted to a shared international index).

Best,

Sasha Costanza-Chock, University of Southern California, United States

 

Hi all,

Sorry to interrupt you all in this topic. But i want to say something from the aspect of a PR personnel. We the PR person always find the cooperation opportunities between parties.

Do you think it possible if we could try to find the air-ticket sponsors from the airlines? If we could give something for an exchange, such as proposal in certain communication topic for the airlines, media exposure for the airlines, or something else. We have a lot of knowledge, and I believe we can exchange with the airlines. Even some airlines might be interested to do some charity for this kind of academic event.

Please forgive me if any inconvenience caused by this email. But I really hope to receive the email forever.

All the best!

Sam Han Bing, Internet-mediated options

Dear colleagues,

One of my current responsibilities is to award conference funds for academics, including junior and emerging researchers. It is impossible to cover the full costs of travel to and from Europe/US from Australia plus conference costs for these academics. Having run a large conference recently I do understand tbe costs involved but we risk eliminating many potential conversations unless we find a way through this - telepresence eventually but perhaps more regular web links in tbe meantime to build comfort around technological relationships.

Best,

Stephi Donald, University of Sydney, Australia

 

It might not be a popular option but has the organization considered whether Skype/teleconference is viable for academics who cannot get to the conference location because of costs? Even if they had to pay the conference fees, they would still save significant amounts of money by not having to fly, get a hotel, food, etc.

I accept that being in the room with other scholars is the traditional and best way to present research and there is likely going to be some quibbling from people about watering down the research if it is not done face-to-face, but what about that Skype option? No matter the part of the world in which you live, international travel is terribly expensive.

Anthony Moretti, Point Park University, United States

I'm a member of GigaNet and we use Elluminate for meetings and also as an addition to global conferences, and it really works; however, someone has to agree to serve as the facilitator. If anyone is interested, I can put them in touch with someone who is an expert.

Becky Lentz, McGill University, Canada

Dear All,

I raised the idea of teleconferencing in the IC meeting on the opening day; but, given the brief time we had to discuss so many issues, it was quickly passed over. One reason for glossing over it, I feel, is that it is the elephant in the room. It actually poses considerable risks-not only for the coherence of any given conference, but also for the stability of the association; for, if addressed head on and taken to their logical extreme, the implications of virtual meeting could be no (physical) congregation at all.

I think that all of us who were in Braga can agree that the positives of having traveled there and interacting face-to-face far outweighed the negatives (price being the major negative). That said, price did serve as a damper on the inclusion of some. So, is there some middle-ground the solution? Could panels be augmented by large faces on the screen, sitting in a room half way across the globe? Frankly, I have been involved in video-conferences with a majority in the room and a few on the other end of a camera and I cannot say that these have been the most efficient, productive sessions. There is a distance and loss of spontaneity that exists where the presenter on the other end cannot see/hear/respond to the movements and cues of her/his audience, and interact with the many of one's own accord. I have also engaged in conferences via second life (which provides greater agency), but that option, as well, is a few years from practicality. There are, above all, issues of technological access, as well as a learning curve fr users before effective communication can occur. It would simply be chaos or lost time during the early sessions.

So anyway, my two cents: yes, we should consider options that provide greater opportunities for those financially-handicapped from attending, but the virtual option should only be considered a limited supplement option at this point.

Best for now,

Todd Holden, Tohoku University, Japan

Dear Colleagues,

What would be the gain if the teleconference option is not accessible in countries and to individual members with little or no infrastructure/financial means to host it? The internet ideas are fine, but we are moving away from the real issue: How to make it financially possible for more (young) colleagues, especially also from the Global South, to attend IAMCR face-to-face conferences in Europe/North America. The internet options could be a next discussion, such as the way the ICA has now done it.

Best,

Arnold de Beer, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Regarding videoconferencing, no one would argue that it's preferable to face to face, but in many cases it's better than nothing; everyone could agree that it's more accessible to wealthier people, but it's still more accessible to everyone than international travel; people have very different opinions and experiences of remote presentation of academic work, so why not just let panel organizers decide if they are willing to accept remote presentations in their sessions?

Best,

Sasha Costanza-Chock, University of Southern California, United States

For those interested in online conference participation....

Hey everyone, I'm writing to share details on the Open Video Conference, a tent-pole event this October 1-2 in New York. OVC connects academics, creators, developers, businesspeople, policy-makers, and others to explore the future of video on the web.
If you follow the critical debates on open source, participatory culture, media consolidation, the future of education, human rights video, and so many others, you will get a lot out of this event.

Contact: Ben Moskowitz conference@openvideoalliance.org
http://openvideoconference.org

Sara Bannerman, Canberra University, Australia

Document prepared by Emerging Scholars Network based on Members' Responses on the Fees Issues: Experiences and Proposals

EMERGING SCHOLARS AND CONFERENCE FEES
Prepared for the IAMCR Section Heads & IC Meeting, July 18 2010, Braga

Emerging scholars and conference fees: some real-world stories

"I am in my first post-doctoral year, and have been teaching on a fixed term contract, as many 'emerging' scholars in our position need  to do. Because I am a fixed term, part time staff member, my institution provides a terribly meagre amount of funding for conferences - so little that it is not even enough to cover the IAMCR conference fee. For this year's trip, I am funding myself, and I must admit that the fee feels terribly exorbitant. Given the uncertainty of the job market (waiting to hear whether one has been shortlisted for the next fixed term contract, etc) it is often difficult for academics at our career level to plan ahead in order to take advantage of the early bird fees"

M., London School of Economics

"I am a SAARC doctoral scholar who won this scholarships among 8 competing nations in South Asia to do a Ph.D at one of India's premier University but to my surprise my scholarships even doesn't cover the local conference participation fees let alone any aiming towards international ones. This is an affecting situation for any emerging scholars from low income economies and should be addressed in some ways during the forthcoming IAMCR 2010."

"After being a participant of ICA 2010 and the tutorials at Singapore, my research has got a new dimension. It happened just because I was financially supported"

M., India

"I have to choose between being professionally embarrassed (dropping out of a conference - and while I'm job-hunting too!) or going to Portugal, but not knowing how to pay the rent when I get back home... Professionally and academically, it is THE conference, and students need to be able to get there."

"I will attend the conference this year, but I do have to pay half of the travel cost myself since my scholarship includes a yearly funding of approx. €1300 for all extra expenses such as research trips, conferences, books, technical equipment, translation and language editing costs. I have a number of colleagues that really would have liked to attend the IAMCR, but who out of principle decided not to attend since the fees are too high"

A., Baltic and East European Graduate School

"My abstract was accepted but I failed to get funding to travel to Braga. I did apply for the UNESCO travel grants but they had limited funds available. I work as full time faculty and currently the chair of our department in a Catholic university in southern Philippines. My university can only give $300 cap sum for paper presenters, so that would mean one needs to secure funding from other sources. It would have been my first time to attend the IAMCR conference since becoming a member 2 years ago. And it would have been an opportune time to meet ESN fellows and establish contacts for my future career plans."

S., Philippines

"The fees were really very high. I have received a small or perhaps a generous stipend (in these times of financial constraints) from the University funds, but nearly half of that amount has been spent towards registration fees. We really need to discuss this issue. It  will not be possible to part of IAMCR if the fee structure is not reduced substantially."

T., University of California, Riverside

"I obtained my PhD last year.  Now I work as research assistant in a EU-funded project. My position does not foresee any funds for conferences. In January I will take up a fixed term contract as lecturer at the Central European University. The situation will be exactly the same: no research nor conference budget. I have been self-funding my participation to IAMCR conferences for the past 3 years. For the IAMCR Stockholm conference, I secured some funds to travel, but I participated without paying the conference fee."

S., European University Institute

"The department provided me with $400 CDN to attend the IAMCR and that was by lottery draw!  The most I would be able to receive as a student in the Faculty of Education is $500 per year for international travel ($250 for domestic travel within North America) and as stated, this money would be received by lottery (no guaranteed funding...just the luck of the draw)."

L., McGill University-unable to attend this year because the funding provided is not enough

Some figures (Source: ESN independent survey on conference fees, 2009-2010)

ESN participants new to the IAMCR:

  • 2009: 50%
  • 2010: 66%

ESN members who receive NO FUNDING to attend:

  • 2010: 59%
  • 2009: 50%

ESN members view IAMCR fees as being higher or much higher than those of other conferences:

  • 2010: 60%
  • 2009: 78%

Reasons for non-attendance:

  • 2010
    - 19% - cost of travel too expensive
    - 18% - conference fees too expensiv
    - 15% - got no funding to attend
  • 2009
    - ESN members cited the expense of conference fees and travel as the #1 reason for not attending, ahead of H1N1

What ESN members hope to gain from participating in the ESN:

  • contacts and networking
    - with peers
    - with senior researchers
    - with people from other parts of the world
  • feedback
  • mentorship
  • a less intimidating place to present their work
  • an opportunity to showcase their own projects
  • volunteer opportunities
  • solidarity with others from low-income countries
  • support for independent researchers
  • information on:
    - conferences
    - calls for research grants
    - publishing opportunities

A few proposals from ESN members:
·    Conferences free of charge for emerging scholars
“Taking into consideration how emerging scholars often live on modest income from scholarship and sessional tutoring/lecturing jobs, I propose that opportunities be provided to all students as well as those who have just finished their degree and are currently looking for employment (so no stable income) to be able to attend the conference free of charge” (A., University of Melbourne)
·    A IAMCR fund to support emerging researchers
“Setting an ESN-IAMCR fund. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe ICA has an option to donate to Annenberg Sch of Communication scholarship when logging on or renewing membership subscription. Similarly, is there any way we can set up a tab or option whereby when IAMCR members renew their membership, they have an option to donate some funding to IAMCR-ESN? Of course, there is the issue of accountability, accounts management and clear WIIFM communication to donors ('what's in it for me?'), but this is one suggestion.”
·    Fee reduction scheme via conference assistance
“Fee reduction scheme via conference assistance (chairing a panel, admin, etc.) Create a win-win situation whereby emerging scholars get the opportunity to chair a panel or assist with conference operations in exchange of reduction or exemption of conference fee, and IAMCR acquires free manpower while offering opportunities to talented emerging scholars to showcase their work at the conference.“
·    External funding
“I would suggest that the IAMCR encourages future conference organizers to acquire more external funding in order to allow lower conference fees. This year I cannot find any external sponsors on the conference website…”
·    Towards an online conference?

“If more funding sources or scholarships could not be made available, I really hope there would be an online conference or access to presentations online, at least for ESN members.” (C., Singapore  - not attending for lack of funding).