Istanbul 2011 - History Section Call for Papers

The 2011 IAMCR Conference will be held in Istanbul (Turkey) from July 13-17. The overall conference theme is 'Cities, Creativity and Connectivity'. Along with this topic, which is closely related to our interest as researchers, the History Section also proposes specific sessions for papers devoted to other topics.

This notice is to call for submissions for the History Section of the IAMCR Program.

Papers of historical perspectives, national studies and international comparisons are particularly sought around the following related themes:

1. International Communication and Financial Crises

   The present worldwide financial crisis is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history the world has experienced various global economic crises and recessions that have deeply affected mass media. Papers exploring the role of the media and other means of communication during times of global economic crises are welcomed.
   
   

2. Media and Empire: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

   Through theoretical and case study work in communication history, we invite papers focused on the analysis of the relationships between media development and empires in different periods and regions. Globalisation is not a completely new phenomenon and the extension of new communication technologies and other media contributed to foster former empires in their attempts to maintain their influence and power. A special call is made for papers on “Colonialism and the press in Central Asia and Asia in general”.
   
   

3. Journalists’ Autobiographies as a Source for Media History

   Among the diverse sources that media historians have for their studies on the history of the different media, autobiographies written by journalists, editors or publishers have a special value since they come from first-person experiences. The autobiographies offer a colourful picture of journalists’ experiences during their professional careers: how they reflect the advancement of their careers, changes in journalistic standards and editorial routines; what kinds of professional dilemmas they faced in different political and cultural environments, etc.  Autobiographical material reflects the individuals’ experiences within particular social contexts and is very subjective and emotional. It cannot be looked at from the viewpoint of ‘historical truth’; but it does have other merits for research. The value and reliability of the autobiographies as sources for journalism historical research should definitely be discussed. Papers exploring this issue in one or various countries are welcomed.

4. History of Research on Journalism and Communication

   The growing importance of journalism, and in a broader sense, of communication in modern societies gradually led scholars to consider it as an object of academic study and research. Given the diversity of traditions in this field, we invite papers that explore the development of journalism and communication history research in different countries: from isolated initiatives of scholars coming from other fields to attempts to introduce the subject into university departments. International comparison is necessary to achieve an overview of the process and detect the influence between different traditions.

5. Journalism Work in Times of Political and Social Change since World War II

   More than two decades have passed since the major political change in 1989; many socio-economic events have happened since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the bi-polar world of the Cold War. Media systems have changed in all post-Soviet countries, including the transformation of journalistic work, traditions and education. Transformations of media systems after such a fundamental change have been described and analyzed not only in post-communist countries, but also in Germany, Norway, Spain, Portugal, and in other countries and continents. The focus of this research, however, has usually been on media and media systems, not on the work, traditions and education of journalism. The education of journalists has become increasingly important within the context of the globalizing job markets and foreign capital investments into national media industries.

Abstracts should be sent to the Section Chair only through the Conference website, and should be between 300-500 words long. Each abstract must include title, name(s), affiliation, institutional address and email address of author(s).

The deadlines are as follows:

• Submission of abstracts: February 8, 2011 (papers will be assessed and provisionally accepted on the basis of the abstracts).
• Announcement of acceptances: March 25, 2011
• Full papers due: June 3, 2011

IAMCR accepts presentations in English, French and Spanish.  However, it is requested that abstracts, if at all possible, be submitted in English.  

Visit the conference website for further information.

The organisers of this Section are keen to explore the possibility of a publication of selected papers in either an edited collection or a special edition of a journal.

Contact address for questions regarding the History Section:

Carlos Barrera
History Section,Chair
IAMCR

Department of Public Communication
School of Communication
University of Navarra
31080 Pamplona (Spain)
Email: cbarrera[AT]unav.es