The Gender and Communication (GEN) Section of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) invites the submission of proposals for papers and panels for IAMCR 2024, which will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 30 June to 4 July 2024.
The deadline for submission is 7 February 2024, at 23h59 UTC.
See the CfPs of all sections and working groups
Theme
IAMCR conferences address a main theme and many diverse topics defined by its 33 thematic sections and working groups. Gender and Communication Section also supports the IAMCR’s single central theme to be explored throughout the conference with the aim of generating and exploring multiple perspectives. This is accomplished through plenary and special sessions, as well as in some of the sessions of the sections and working groups. Additionally, Gender and Communication Section defines some more themes through this individual calls for proposals. We would like to encourage you submit proposals to the Gender and Communication Section to contribute to the IAMACR 2024 - Christchurch Conference. We encourage you to focus on an aspect of the main conference theme as it relates to the concerns of the Gender and Communication Section, or address a theme or sub-theme identified by the Gender and Communication Section in this individual call for proposals.
The 2024 central theme is Whiria te tāngata / Weaving people together: Communicative projects of decolonising, engaging, and listening.
Whiria te tāngata, weaving people together in English, is a Māori proverb (whakataukī) about the strength that comes through common purpose. The whakataukī highlights multiple issues that we invite conference participants to explore.
- It invites analysis of commonality in mediated communication, given the weaker power of place-based mass media, the rise of algorithmic culture, the challenges of engaging with difference in multicultural contexts and the crises facing neoliberal globalisation.
- The use of a Māori proverb also invites particular attention to analysis of indigenous communication and other attempts to challenge or rework colonial structures.
- More broadly, the theme invites reflection on the terms and models appropriate to describe contemporary communication, including the political and moral goals embedded in them. It therefore also points to alternative ways of theorising or evaluating communication alongside dominant imaginaries such as the public, and of the colonial and gendered histories that are part of those imaginaries.
- Weaving emphasises the agency of the communicator and directs attention to the valuing of communication as a project or skill, whether that is focused on social change, community or economic gain.
- Weaving also reminds us of the goal of a conference to build common purpose amongst participants.
Not all submissions have to address the central theme but they must address the themes of the Gender and Communication Section as discussed in this Call for Proposals (CfP).
The Gender and Communication section seeks research that addresses theory and practice, and explores the relationship between gender, media, and communication. In recent years, the sessions have included papers on representation, body image, (digital) feminism, queer theory, LGBTIQA+, pop culture, hook-up apps, inclusive reporting, power struggles and relations, identity, (emotional digital) labor, health, HIV/AIDS, pandemic, violence, human rights, social change, activism, media production, reception, consumption, monitoring, elections, development, and culture. The papers examine diverse forms of media such as film, television, radio, print, social media, advertising, and the Internet.
In keeping with our philosophy of inclusivity and development, we welcome contributions with or without regard to empirical, theoretical, disciplinary, and/or philosophical perspectives.
We welcome submissions on any topic involving gender, media, communication, and endogenous and academic knowledge. However, we give special consideration to papers and panel proposals that examine connections to the conference theme:Whiria te tāngata / Weaving people together: Communicative projects of decolonising, engaging, and listening.
We would like to encourage scholars to tackle the intersections of gender, identity, dignity, inclusivity, endogenous knowledge and development, and sexuality with media and communication processes. Themes, which seem more consonant with our current section, include (but are not limited to):
- Gender and algorithmic culture
- Gender and indigenous/endogenous knowledge
- Gender in multicultural contexts and neoliberal globalisation
- Gendered terms, models and moral goals of communication, histories, and imaginaries
- Gendered agency and social change
- Gender equity, social and economic prosperity
- Gendered identity, and equality
- Gendered identities and experiences online
- Gendered expression and social participation
- Gender, disability and health advocacy
- Gendered voice and visibility
- Gendered rights and the achievement of universal dignity
- Gender, inclusivity and sustainable development
- Gender and climate change
- Gender and the environment or bioregions
- Gender in higher education and pedagogy
- Gender and social movements
- Gender and (eco)territorial conflicts
- Social media campaigns of women and non-binary people
- Sexism and body as battlefield
- Gender, consumption, and aspiration
- Gender, sexuality, and violence
- Sexuality and technology
- Technology and/as gender
- Queer theory and culture
- Gender experiences and futures
- Gendered histories, war or politics
- Gender, politics and governance
- Marginalized sexualities
- Queer and LGBTQIA+ representations or resistance
- Gender conflicts or resistance
- Gender representation and authenticity
- Gender discourse and power
- Gender and public spaces
- Art and gender
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts are requested for papers to be presented in person at the conference in Christchurch. Abstracts submitted to the Gender and Communication Section should have between 300 and 500 words and must be submitted online here. Abstracts submitted by email will not be accepted.
The deadline to submit abstracts is 7 February 2024, at 23.59 UTC.
It is expected that each person will submit only one (1) abstract. However, under no circumstances should there be more than two (2) abstracts bearing the name of the same author, either individually or as part of any group of authors. The same abstract, or a version with minor variations in title or content, must not be submitted to more than one section or working group. Any such submissions will be deemed to be in breach of the conference guidelines and will be rejected.
Proposals are accepted for both single papers and for panels with several papers (in which you propose multiple papers that address a single theme). Please note that there are special procedures for submitting panel proposals.
Please stick to the technical guidelines defined by the Gender and Communication Section. Before submitting, consult this specific CfP of the Gender and Communication Section. If you have questions, contact the head of the Gender and Communication Section (details below).
See important dates and deadlines to keep in mind
Evaluation criteria
Submitted abstracts will generally be evaluated on the basis of:
- Technical merit
- Readability
- Originality and/or significance
- Use of or contribution to theory
- Relevance to the Gender and Communication Section
The Gender and Communication Section may use additional criteria and may assign different weights to the above criteria on recommendation of the reviewers. Consult this specific CfP or contact the head of the Gender and Communication Section if you have questions before the submission.
Languages
The Gender and Communication Section accepts abstract and programme sessions in English, French and Spanish. We sometimes consolidate Spanish/French presentations in special sessions. We encourage the presenters interested in scheduling their Spanish/French presentations in regular sessions to invite their bilingual colleagues to interpret their presentations in English.
Chair/Respondent/Reviewer
Please contact the Co-chairs and Vice Chairs of the Gender and Communication Section, if you wish to Chair a session/panel, or if you wish to serve as a respondent in one of the sessions to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand. Please send an email to GEN head, or at wajiharaza@fulbrightmail.org if you are a PhD and you wish to help in reviewing abstracts in English, French or Spanish.
See resources for IAMCR conference preparation and participation
For further information about the Gender and Communication Section, its themes, submissions, and panels please contact:
Co-Chairs: Wajiha Raza Rizvi <wajiharaza@fulbrightmail.org> and Carolina Matos Carolina.Matos.1@city.ac.uk
Vice Chairs: Patricia Nunez Gomez pnunezgo@ccinf.ucm.es and Faiza Rafique <faizarafique@uowdubai.ac.ae>; <faizasrafique@gmail.com>.
