ECREA WEEKLY digest ARTICLES

University College Dublin

School: Information and Communications Studies

Supervisor: Marco Bastos marco.bastos@ucd.ie

Starting date: 1st Sept 2020 (likely later, when academic activities resume post-COVID-19)

Position: 100%, full-time position, tuition fees waived by the School

Remuneration: PhD studentship renewable for up to four years and consisting of:

- PhD student stipend of €18k per annum (tax free)

- €4k per annum towards research costs of the PhD student.

Eligibility: EU and non-EU students are equally eligible for studentships under this award

Requirement: Students accepted under this scheme must meet the university entry standards.

Description of the post:

The School of Information and Communications Studies at University College Dublin is offering one fully funded PhD scholarship under the supervision of Dr Marco Bastos.

The PhD student will work on quantifying offline phenomena through online data and/or new theories, methods, and objectives to the study of problematic content and misinformation online.

We also welcome candidates interested in the social implications of technology, including the dynamics of social influence and contagion, computational communication science, ethics of computational research on human behaviour, and the forecasting of social phenomena with digital trace data.

The candidate will explore computational models of social phenomena, including behaviour modelling, social network analysis and modelling, mining of large-scale social data, algorithms and protocols driving information diffusion on social platforms, and data mining of social media platforms.

The candidate will be provided a desk in the School’s dedicated PhD office and a dedicated budget for research expenses is included with the Scholarship. The School of Information and Communications Studies has a healthy cohort of 10+ PhD students.

Substantive research area:

The post holder will be supervised by Dr Bastos, whose research addresses the cross-effects between online and offline social networks, including the association between geography and network formation, the direction of homophily, and the elapsed effects of online activity on physical groups.

The substantive research question explored by the candidate may draw from communication and information studies, sociology, political communication, geographic information systems, and social network analysis or related areas.

Responsibilities:

The post holder will be expected to write and successfully defend a PhD thesis focused on the areas listed in the description of the post and meet the degree requirements set by UCD to advance through the PhD programme.

The candidate is also expected to produce research outputs in relation to their doctoral research and attend conferences to disseminate the research findings.

Conferences of interest to the post holder include the Association of Internet Researchers, the International Conference on Social Media & Society, the International Communication Association, the International Conference on Social Informatics, and the International Conference on Web and Social Media.

The candidate is expected to assist in the organisation of project meetings, workshops, and activities within the scope of this research area.

The candidate should take part in seminars, workshops, and events organised within the School and across University College Dublin that are relevant to the project.

Finally, the development of teaching skills and teaching activities will be considered at a later stage of the PhD in discussion with the candidate and the supervisors.

Role profile:

Candidates are expected to be familiar with or interested in developing skills in computational methods. Familiarity with leveraging digital media to the study of social phenomena is highly desirable. Other key skills include familiarity with data mining, text-as-data, network analysis, spatial statistics, machine-learning, and natural language processing.

Requirements:

Strong command of English is required. English proficiency at the C2 or C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is advised. UCD Graduate Studies TOEFL and IELTS score requirements can be viewed here.

• Candidates are expected to hold a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication, Information Sciences, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Digital Methods or comparable Master’s Degree in the Social Sciences, preferably a research master/Mlitt.
• Organisational experience and skills.
• Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate experience and expertise in quantitative methods, including network analysis and modelling, spatial statistics, automated text analysis, and machine-learning in application material. Affinity for data-driven research, preferably as evidenced by your Master’s dissertation, publications, and research project.
• Proven experience with R, Python, MATLAB, Julia, Ruby, JavaScript, TypeScript or equivalent object-oriented programming language is highly desirable.
• Experience with the analysis of social media data is desirable.

Applications are open to students of all nationalities and backgrounds.

Apply:

Applications need to be submitted via UCD’s application portal. The candidate should apply to Programme Code W139 using the UCD Admissions online application portal (a €50 application fee applies).

The School of Information and Communication Studies requires PhD applicants to submit their curriculum vitae, an applicant statement, and a personal statement. Candidates are advised to describe their research interests, explain why they believe this position fits their profile, and include a brief description of the topic they would like to explore in their PhD project. In addition to that, applicants should submit a writing sample, preferably a piece that has been published, as additional information.

Applications will be reviewed through our system of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment of researchers.

For questions related to this post please contact Marco Bastos at marco.bastos@ucd.ie

October 8-10, 2020

University of Tuebingen, Germany

Deadline: May 31, 2020

15th Annual Conference of the German Society for Comics Studies (ComFor)

ComFor’s 15th annual conference aims to intensify a dialogue between the various disciplinary approaches to the medium of comics and related popular narrative images (including manga, graphic novels or cartoons) by focusing on the concept of medial, mediated, and mediating agency. Building on perspectives from actor-network theory and subsequent approaches to a possible actor-media theory, the conference aims to reconstruct the complexities of distributed agency within historical and contemporary cultures of comics.

An “actor” is here understood as any entity that becomes recognizable as the catalyst or cause of interrelated, complex chains of action, transformation, or reconfiguration. According to “new materialist” approaches, agency can not only be attributed to “natural” persons, but also to “things” as heterogeneous as materialities, devices, inscriptions, or programs within complex configurations or assemblages. The ComFor conference is going to focus primarily on the interrelations between (groups of) individual, collective, and institutional or corporate actors.

From this point of view, many classifications that are fundamental for the world of comics, such as the distinction between producers and consumers, authors and readers, appear as mere effects of a particular distribution of agency within historically evolving media configurations. Agency is thus at stake when recipients resist hegemonic meanings and readings of multimodal texts in order to assume opposing positions. In the same manner, “authorship” could be understood as the attribution of agency of and between various medial instances and roles such as writers, artists, colorists, letterers, or editors, as well as with regard to commercial rights holders such as publishing houses or conglomerates and reviewers or fans. From this point of view, aspects of comics‘ production (authorship and institutionalization) can be related to aspects of comics’ reception (appropriation and discursivation) as well as to aspects of comics’ circulation (participation and canonization), including their potential for transmedialization and making contributions to the formation of the public sphere.

Against this backdrop, potential topics for contributions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• (De)construction of authorship
• Production-oriented research
• Fan discourses and review mechanisms
• Issues of cultural participation
• Canonization and the in/exclusion from continuities
• Control over transmedia franchises, storyworlds, and characters
• Influences of changing techniques and technologies on practices of production, distribution, and reception

• Impacts of economical forces on comic cultures
• Question about the formation of various public spheres of/by comics

Conference papers will be accepted in either English or German and should not exceed 20 minutes. We plan to publish selected contributions in an edited volume. Participants are not required to be members of ComFor. Contributions from non-members welcome!

Beyond the discussion of each year’s special topic, ComFor aims to further co-operation and dialogue in all areas of comics research. The 15th Annual Conference in Tuebingen will therefore continue the tradition of an open workshop format that allows researchers to present and gather feedback on on-going projects within comics studies in all stages of development, and without any thematic restrictions. We thus warmly invite colleagues in all phases of academic careers to discuss any projects on which they are currently working. The open workshop presentations are limited to a maximum of 15 minutes. Please send an abstract of approx. 500 words plus a short biography (as a word and pdf file) in English or German no later than 31 May 2020 to comfor2020@comicgesellschaft.de.

Please indicate whether your submission is intended for the main conference or the open workshop.

The University of Stirling

The University of Stirling's Division of Communications, Media and Culture is offering exciting opportunities for the following positions:

1. Lecturer in Interactive Media (1.0FTE, open-ended, Grade 7/8, £33,797-£49,322)

The successful candidate will enhance the Division's capacity to teach in one or more of the following areas: Digital research methods/digital humanities; Games studies; Digital content design; video production; web/app development; content marketing/visual social media marketing; Interaction Design/User Interaction/User Experience; Creative enterprise and digital creative economies; Data analytics.

Further details: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/list/details/?jobId=2330&jobTitle=Lecturer%20in%20Interactive%20Media

2. Lecturer in Multi-Media Journalism (0.5FTE, open-ended, Grade 8, £41-526-£49,322)

The successful candidate will have newsroom experience and a knowledge of multi-media platforms and technologies as well as the workings of digital journalism.

Further details: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/list/details/?jobId=2327&jobTitle=Lecturer%20in%20Multi-Media%20Journalism

3. Lecturer/Practitioner in Multi-Media Communication/Digital Journalism (1.0FTE, open-ended Grade 7/8, £33,797-£49,322)

The successful candidate will organise and deliver the Division's growing international exchange programme, will have knowledge of multi-media platforms and technologies and experience of teaching and managing international students.

Further details: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/list/details/?jobId=2328&jobTitle=Lecturer/Practitioner%20in%20Multi-Media%20Communication/Digital%20Journalism

Closing date for all three posts is 6 May 2020 with interviews scheduled later in May.

Successful candidates will contribute to teaching and enhancing international collaboration on courses in Communications, Media and Culture, consistently ranked among the best in the UK. With a focus on innovation, exploration and creativity, the successful candidates will be part of a vibrant environment defined by world-class teaching and research. Staff thrive in a dynamic culture where collaboration is key, international links abound and the desire to make a meaningful contribution to society is always at the forefront of our minds. If you’re joining us as a researcher, you’ll soon see why we placed first in Scotland for our research impact in Communications, Media and Culture, in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF 2014).

The University of Stirling is a leading UK teaching and research-intensive university, created by Royal Charter in 1967. Since its foundation, the University has embraced its role as an innovative, intellectual and cultural institution with a pioneering spirit and a passion for excellence in all that it does.

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof Adrian Hadland, Head of the Division of Communications, Media & Culture: adrian.hadland@stir.ac.uk.

Networking Knowledge: Journal of the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network Special issue

Deadline: July 1, 2020

Media technologies have become deeply embedded in our lives as “ecologies of communication through which human life is sustained” (Couldry, 2020, p. 119). Nowhere does this statement ring more true than in the COVID-19 pandemic reality, an unprecedented rupture which has brought the world to a halt, changing the ways we live, work and play.

As digital technology remains the only means of staying connected, it becomes important to critically explore the current reality of 'deep mediatization' (Couldry & Hepp, 2017). Networking Knowledge invites contributions from postgraduate and early career researchers for a special issue dealing with the different manifestations of hypermediatization in society, culture, and communications from any disciplinary perspective or across disciplines.

Topics may include but are not limited to:

• Mediated sociality as the new normal
• Hypermediatization and its impact on daily life
• Creativity in lockdown
• Performative (inter)subjectivity and affect: changes in the ways we view ourselves and relate to others
• Authenticity, truth and trust in mediated communications
• COVID-19 media coverage: the return of the expert?

Please submit a 500-word abstract (not including references) and 100-word bio to the journal editor, Bissie Anderson: bissie.anderson@stir.ac.uk by 1 July 2020. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by 1 August, with full papers (detailed submission guidelines can be found here) to be submitted for peer review via our OJS system by 1 November 2020. We aim to publish the special issue in the spring of 2021.

More information on the Networking Knowledge website:

https://www.ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/announcement/view/47

University of St. Gallen

Research Assistant/ PhD Candidate interested in pursuing a PhD in Organisation Studies and Cultural Theory researching the impact of AI technologies, algorithms and datafication on everyday life working closely with Prof. Barassi on a project titled: The Human Error: AI, Algorithmic Bias and the failure of Digital Profiling.

The envisioned starting date for this 60% position is the 1st of September 2020.

Salary 50’367 CHF per year

The ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

• Excellent grades in a Master degree, preferably in the areas of sociology, anthropology, media studies, information studies, cultural studies or general social sciences
• Interest and passion in the following areas of research: AI technologies, data privacy, data rights, algorithmic bias, AI Ethics
• Interest and passion for qualitative methodologies especially ethnographic methodologies. Prior experience of ethnographic research (e.g. dissertation project) is a strong advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English; fluency in German preferable but not mandatory

The role:

• A research assistant at the mcm institute typically completes his or her PhD within three to four years and has the following responsibilities:
• Supporting the chair and the Postdoctoral researcher in The Human Error Project
• Joint research activities, and possibly writing together
• Attending scientific conferences and organizing doctoral events
• Institute - related support
• Occasional teaching support if needed

If you are interested or know of anyone who might be interested please follow this link.

http://direktlink.prospective.ch/?view=c1fb8bb4-3615-422b-9e93-822a265b7b97

Dilek Gürsoy

Published by Routledge under the Routledge Advances in Transmedia Studies series

ABOUT THE BOOK

Transmediality in Independent Journalism investigates mainstream journalism and its escape routes to independence through transmedia strategies. Within the scope of the latest debates in Turkey, the author argues that the function of transmediality in Turkish journalism is gradually shifting from being only a commercial entity to becoming a political system for social change, a survival mechanism for independent journalists to reach out to diverse audiences, and gain back the public trust.

Bringing a fresh perspective to recent studies on cultures of transmediality along with an in-depth analysis of three contemporary Turkish cases, the book:

• Builds upon questions of whether transmedia storytelling can offer a support system to construct an alternative news media world in a political context such as Turkey’s
• Examines how transmedia storytelling can reach places the mainstream news media can’t control
• Explores whether transmedia storytelling can sustain the survival of an independent journalist in Turkey’s political context

Looking beyond the case of Turkey, this study will be an important addition to the literature on rethinking journalistic form and practice, teaching transmedia strategies, and social communication.

For more information about the book, please follow this link: https://www.routledge.com/Transmediality-in-Independent-Journalism-The-Turkish-Case-1st-Edition/Gursoy/p/book/9781003015741

SERIES DETAILS

Routledge Advances in Transmedia Studies

This series publishes monographs and edited collections that sit at the cutting-edge of today’s interdisciplinary cross-platform media landscape. Topics should consider emerging transmedia applications in and across industries, cultures, arts, practices, or research methodologies. The series is especially interested in research exploring the future possibilities of an interconnected media landscape that looks beyond the field of media studies, notably broadening to include socio-political contexts, education, experience design, mixed-reality, journalism, the proliferation of screens, as well as art- and writing-based dimensions to do with the role of digital platforms like VR, apps and iDocs to tell new stories and express new ideas across multiple platforms in ways that join up with the social world.

CONTENT LIST

1. Introduction

2. Dethreading of a practice

3. Rethreading with transmediality

4. The misty journey of independence

5. Conclusion

Pages: 106

The Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom

The Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) requires three new full-time research assistants to join our team in 2020. The roles are based at our office in Florence and will require the successful candidates to assist in the research and implementation of the Media Pluralism Monitor 2020 (MPM2020 – Year 2).

To see the full position descriptions and to find out how to apply for the roles, view the ‘Open Competitions for academic posts’ page here or click on the job reference numbers above to download the pdf vacancy description.

The closing date for applications is: 30 April 2020 at midnight (CET).

The pdf of the job description can be accessed here: https://www.eui.eu/Documents/ServicesAdmin/AcademicService/JobOpportunities/2020/RSC8-2020.pdf

For more information about the CMPF see our website: https://www.cmpf.eui.eu

Please contact cmpf@eui.eu for any further queries.

The Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) is a programme of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute in Florence.

The Media Pluralism Monitor is co-funded by the European Commission.

University of Groningen

Excellent research assessments, the launch of three new MA programmes and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire an assistant professor. We are looking for candidates with expertise in a range of media

JOB DESCRIPTION

Excellent research assessments, the launch of three new MA programmes and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire an assistant professor. We are looking for candidates with expertise in a range of media related fields, preferably (but not limited to):

- digital cultures, including data studies and/or digital literacy

- media, politics and democracy

- cultural industries and innovation

- social media

- audiovisual culture.

Although candidates with expertise in the above fields have a competitive advantage, the position is open to candidates with a wide range of research interests and theoretical and methodological expertise in media studies. Candidates should be able to teach courses in media studies on the BA and MA level, and contribute to our research programme. The position combines teaching (60%) and research (40%).

Successful candidates are expected to teach in our English-taught BA programme ‘Media Studies’ and our international MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Social Media and Society’, and ‘Media Creation and Innovation’. Depending on their expertise, they may also teach in our minor programmes Media Studies and Journalism Studies, as well as our Dutch and international MA programmes in Journalism.

The international, English-taught BA programme in Media Studies focuses on the social and informative functions of media. It is rooted in the humanities but also draws upon methods and paradigms developed in the social sciences and other disciplines. The degree aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the affordances of different platforms and the interplay between them; the political and economic underpinnings of media systems; patterns of use, production and content; and the functions and impact of media in culture and society. Throughout the curriculum it provides a comparative perspective by studying media in their cultural, historical, economic, political and international contexts. The programme has an annual enrolment of 120 students from all parts of the world.

The new MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Social Media and Society’, and ‘Media Creation and Innovation’ provide students with cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. The MA programmes in Journalism focus on high quality reporting in a cross-media setting with a strong focus on digital skills and innovation, and combine academic reflection with academic skills. Our BA and MA programmes rank first among all Media Studies programmes in the Netherlands in the national student survey.

Research is conducted within the interdisciplinary Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, which has been rated as “excellent/world-leading” in the last Research Review. Members of the Centre have been successful in recent years in attracting external research funding. If appointed, the candidates are expected to actively contribute to a vibrant research environment. They are provided ample support in applying for bids with national and international funding agencies.

The successful applicant is expected to:

- teach and supervise students in the department’s undergraduate and graduate programmes; international candidates will teach solely in English, they are offered the chance to follow a Dutch language course

- participate actively in curriculum development, design and administration of course modules

- conduct and generate top research in media studies or communication studies

- pursue research grants and other forms of external funding

- participate actively in international research networks and build international collaborations

- participate actively in the activities of the interdisciplinary research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies.

REQUIREMENTS

In addition to a number of basic requirements set by the University of Groningen, such as excellent social and communication skills, presentation skills, coaching skills and a results-oriented attitude, we are looking for candidates who have:

• a PhD in Media Studies, Communication Studies, or related fields
• wide-ranging knowledge in one or more of the media related fields, including, but not limited to: digital cultures, including data studies and/or digital literacy; media, politics and democracy; cultural industries and innovation; social media; audiovisual culture
• teaching experience at university level and proven didactic abilities
• gained their University Teaching Qualification or are prepared to do so within a year
• an excellent research track record, including relevant publications
• an outstanding national and international academic network as well as strong contacts with professionals in the field
• willingness to make substantial contributions to the development of the Department’s research and educational programmes
• organisational experience and skills
• excellent command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing and speaking) and expected to have or gain understanding of the Dutch language (CEFR B2 for reading and listening, and CEFR B1 for writing and speaking) within two years.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,637 (salary scale 11) to a maximum of € 5,656 (scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position

- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees; favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants

- an appointment on temporary basis for four years.

For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/

Preferred date of entry into employment is 1 August 2020.

DEPARTMENT

Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 32.000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5.000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Media and Journalism Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Prof. Marcel Broersma, Professor of Media and Journalism Studies

+31 50 3635955,

m.j.broersma@rug.nl

Drs. Miralda Meulman, Degree programme coordinator (about the formal procedure)

+31 50 3638950,

University of Groningen

Excellent research assessments and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire an assistant professor in Journalism Studies.

Candidates should be able to teach courses in our Dutch and international MA pr

JOB DESCRIPTION

Excellent research assessments and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire an assistant professor in Journalism Studies.

Candidates should be able to teach courses in our Dutch and international MA programmes in Journalism, our minor programmes in Journalism, and our international BA and MA programmes in Media Studies. Moreover, we expect the successful candidate to contribute actively to our research agenda which we are conducting in the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies. The position combines teaching (60%) and research (40%).

Our BA and MA programmes rank first among all Media Studies programmes in the Netherlands in the national student survey. The MA programmes in Journalism focus on high quality reporting in a cross-media setting with a strong focus on digital skills and innovation, and combine academic reflection with academic skills. The department admits max. 30 Dutch and 30 international MA students on a yearly basis after a rigorous selection procedure. The minor programme in Journalism addresses a range of developments in the field of journalism studies, providing courses to students from a range of disciplines within the university.

Our international, English-taught BA programme in Media Studies focuses on the social and informative functions of media. It provides students with a thorough understanding of the affordances of different platforms and the interplay between them; the political and economic underpinnings of media systems; patterns of use, production and content; and the functions and impact of media in culture and society. The MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Social Media and Society’, and ‘Media Creation and Innovation’ provide students with cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society.

Research is conducted within the interdisciplinary Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, which has been rated as “excellent/world-leading” in the 2016 Research Assessment. If appointed, the candidates are expected to actively contribute to a vibrant research environment. They are provided ample support in applying for bids with national and international funding agencies.

The successful applicant is expected to:

- teach and supervise students in the department’s undergraduate and graduate programmes; international candidates will teach solely in English, they are offered the chance to follow a Dutch language course

- participate actively in curriculum development, design and administration of course modules

- conduct and generate top research in media studies or communication studies

- pursue research grants and other forms of external funding

- participate actively in international research networks and build international collaborations

- participate actively in the activities of the interdisciplinary research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies.

REQUIREMENTS

In addition to a number of basic requirements set by the University of Groningen, such as excellent social and communication skills, presentation skills, coaching skills and a results-oriented attitude, we are looking for candidates who have:

• a PhD in Journalism-, Media-, or Communication Studies, or related fields
• wide-ranging knowledge in Journalism Studies, preferably with a focus on the digital transformation of journalism
• teaching experience at university level and proven didactic abilities
• gained their University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) or are prepared to do so within a year
• an excellent research track record, including relevant publications
• an outstanding national and international academic network as well as strong contacts with professionals in the field
• willingness to make substantial contributions to the development of the Department’s research and educational programmes
• organisational experience and skills
• excellent command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing and speaking) and expected to have or gain understanding of the Dutch language (CEFR B2 for reading and listening, and CEFR B1 for writing and speaking) within two years.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,637 (salary scale 11) to a maximum of € 5,656 (scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position

- 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees; favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants

- an appointment initially on a temporary basis for 4 years with the possibility of becoming a permanent position; this will be determined based on an appraisal, which will be made after 3 years, as well as the needs of the programme.

For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/

Preferred date of entry into employment is 1 August 2020.

DEPARTMENT

Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 32.000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5.000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Media and Journalism Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Prof. Marcel Broersma, Professor of Media and Journalism Studies

+31 50 3635955,

m.j.broersma@rug.nl

Drs. Miralda Meulman, Degree programme coordinator (about the formal procedure)

+31 50 3638950,

MeCCSA 2021

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK

January 6-8, 2021

Submission deadline: July 17, 2020

Keynote Speakers:

• Professor Greg Philo, University of Glasgow
• Dr Anandi Ramamurthy, Sheffield Hallam University
• Professor Karen Ross, Newcastle University
• Dr Miklos Sukosd, University of Copenhagen

The Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association is pleased to invite the submission of abstracts, panel proposals and practice-based contributions for the MeCCSA 2021 Conference, to be held 6-8 January 2021 at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. The theme of the conference is Silenced Voices.

The theme encourages engagement with a wide range of topics, which we hope will attract researchers interested in minority, excluded, alternative or powerless communities, and their ability to influence public discourses. It offers the opportunity for a wide variety of perspectives: from the historical to the contemporary; from group-centric to macro societal changes; from enablement to suppression; from psychological to technological; from the speakers unable to reach their audience, to audiences unable to find their voice.

The silencing of voices goes hand in hand with powerlessness and oppression. In a world grappling with the implications of fake news, cancel culture, the suppression of journalism, post-truth politics, debates about freedom of speech, and the mainstreaming of lies, we hope that this timely theme will inspire presenters to engage in analyses of the ways in which media and cultures work with and against those with silenced voices.

We invite proposals for scholarly papers, themed panels, posters, film screenings and other practice-based contributions. Proposals might engage with the various social, political, economic, artistic, individual, collective, institutional, representational and technological dimensions of media interactions and environments.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• * Censorship
• * Non-mainstream voices
• * Activism
• * Samizdat / Underground press
• * Voices from below
• * Whistle-blowing
• * Post-truth politics
• * Counter-culture
• * Cultural pluralism
• * Empowerment
• * Corporate power and the media
• * Minority languages
• * Translation and mediation
• * Freedom of speech
• * Pedagogies and educational practice promoting inclusivity and embracing diversity.

We welcome contributions across the full range of interests represented by MeCCSA and its networks, including, but not limited to:

• Race, ethnicity and postcolonial studies
• Representation, identity, ideology
• Film and television studies and practice
• Radio studies and practice
• Cultural and media policy
• Social movements and activism
• Climate change, sustainability and environment
• Digital culture and games studies
• Gender and sexuality studies
• Disability studies within media studies
• Media pedagogy
• BAME experiences of media and culture industries
• Children, young people and media
• Diasporic and ethnic minority media
• Political communication
• Methodological approaches
• Media practice research and teaching
• Community media

Submitting a proposal

Individual abstracts should be up to 250 words. Panel proposals should include a short description and rationale (200 words) together with abstracts for each of the 3-4 papers (150-200 words each including details of the contributor), and the name and contact details of the panel proposer. The panel proposer should coordinate the submissions for that panel as a single proposal. For both panels and individual papers please include up to five key words.

Practice-based work

We actively support the presentation of practice-as-research and have a flexible approach to practice papers and presentations. This may include opportunities to present papers and screenings in the same sessions or as part of a separate screening strand. We also welcome shorter papers in association with short screenings. We also have dedicated

presentation spaces to display practice artefacts including screenings,

posters and computer-based work. For displaying practice work, please

include specific technical data (e.g. duration, format) and a URL

pointing to any support material when submitting your abstract. We

expect delegates who are showing screenings to be present at the conference.

Please note that all proposals (abstracts and practice-based work) will

be peer reviewed. PGRs are welcome to submit.

The RGU organising committee are aiming to publish an edited collection of papers focusing on the conference theme with a reputable academic publisher. Further details of how to submit will be announced closer to the conference.

Timeline of submissions and reviews

Submission deadline: 17 July 2020

Review decision: September 2020

Submit proposals to: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=meccsa2021

Website: https://www.rgu.ac.uk/events/events-2021/2615-media-communication-and-cultural-studies-association-meccsa-conference

Twitter: @MeCCSA2021