ECREA WEEKLY digest ARTICLES

June 18-20, 2025

University of Lincoln (UK)

Deadline (extended): December 20, 2025

We’re delighted to announce our keynotes:

• Dr Debashree Mukherjee (Columbia University, USA)
  
• Dr Kate Terkanian (Bournemouth University, UK)
  

This seventh iteration of the Women’s Film and Television History Network conference will foreground transnational and transmedial approaches to histories of women’s work in and across film, television and related media. The conference seeks to expand women’s film and TV histories by exploring cross-border and cross-medial relationships.

An 'entangled’ approach to film, TV and media historiography problematises national and mono-medial histories (Cronqvist and Hilgert, 2017). It recognises the complex processes by which film and television are made, distributed, seen and received across borders, be they geographical, cultural, ideological or otherwise defined, and in dialogue with other media.

This compels us to ‘read against the grain’ of existing histories, paying attention to ‘how historical silences are produced’ (Hilmes, 2017). These are the fundamentals of feminist media historiography, and this conference aims to bring women’s voices, figures, organisations, and stories into the light, giving them sharper focus. The conference will emphasise women’s roles in these entanglements. Our understanding of ‘women’ is inclusive and gender-expansive.

We encourage transmedial approaches that account for the role of women in the long histories of media convergence in different social and cultural contexts, as well as related practices, such as divergence, conglomeration, inter- and cross-mediality. ‘Media’ is defined broadly.  Work that engages with (interconnected) histories of women’s film and television beyond Western contexts is welcome.   

We are calling for papers in any area of women’s film and television history, but especially those that respond to the theme, on topics such as, but not limited to: 

•             Entangled and / or transnational women’s media histories and historiography: theory, practice, challenges 

•             Case studies of film and TV workers across national or medial borders

•             Historicising women’s role in digital or online screen media production, distribution, consumption, promotion, publicity or criticism.

•             Media convergence pre- and post-digital media

•             Feminist and/or decolonising approaches to media archaeology

•             Methodological challenges and approaches to entangled media histories

•             Entangled histories in cinema and TV industries beyond the mainstream e.g. amateur cinema, community television, independent and activist film and TV.

We welcome proposals in the following three formats:

1.            15-minute presentations, including the following information: 

2.            pre-constituted panels with a maximum of 4 speakers (panel length will be 90 minutes and should include at least 15 minutes for discussion). Pre-constituted panel proposals should include:

Panels can also be constituted as roundtables, workshops or other non-standard forms. Please contact the organising team to discuss ideas.

3.            Practice-led contributions which address women’s histories in film, television and audio/visual media are encouraged. Please submit: 

If accepted, practice-led contributions may be presented as part of panels or as a limited number of separate sessions/screenings and/or made available to delegates online.  

Please submit here: https://forms.office.com/e/NvRLHtdNa2

Extended deadline for proposals: 20 December 2024. The acceptance of your proposal will be communicated to you by the end of January 2025.

If you have any questions please contact Hannah Andrews (handrews@lincoln.ac.uk) and/or Jeongmee Kim (jkim@lincoln.ac.uk). On behalf of the conference organising team: Hannah Andrews, Diane Charlesworth, Jeongmee Kim, and Frances Morgan.

merzWissenschaft, the scientific edition of the media-educational journal merz │ medien + erziehung

Deadline: January 13, 2025

Supervising Editors: Katrin Döveling (Hochschule Darmstadt, University of Applied Sciences), Margreth Lünenborg (Freie Universität Berlin) and the merzWissenschaft editorial team

"Powered by emotions" was the slogan recently chosen by a prominent German television channel to advertise its broadcast program, an indication of the significance of emotions in entertainment communications. The title of a current news podcast is "Feel the news". Here emotions are explicitly mobilized in the encounter with the news. In digital communication, algorithmically-based selection and distribution of media content ranges ultimately make a substantial contribution to evoking and reinforcing emotions and bringing them into the widest possible circulation. Feelings of expectation, curiosity, anger, empathy or abhorrence increase the amount of time users remain on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube; here these platforms differ from one another in terms of their respective unique "emotional architectures" (Wahl-Jorgensen, 2019).

Films evoke our sympathy, immersive VR and AR technologies make it possible for us to empathize with other entities. Negative political stereotypes as well as denigrations based on skin color, ethnicity, sexuality or gender are often the product of emotionally-based media experiences of 'foreign' and 'different'. Attraction to media content ranges as well as experience of media use are substantially affective and based on emotion. Media science and communication science research has long seen emotion as relevant and investigated emotion primarily in areas involving media-psychological consideration of entertainment communications. However, in the meantime the field of research has expanded considerably – at the level of media content ranges, emotions are becoming highly significant in all fields. Whether news about war or other crises, computer game design, presence of social media influencers, suspense dramaturgy in series or curating playlists – the evocation, regulation, intensification and levelling of emotions all play a central role in all aspects of production, presentation and reception of media content ranges. Sensor-driven media such as wearables even realize a direct feedback loop in which sensory experience of the human body is registered and extended, amplified and levelled by media impulses. Thus for example algorithmically-based music selection adapts itself to match the user's pulse rate. A very wide variety of phenomena and irregularities are to be found, both on the media content range side and on the part of media users.

In the field of emotion, media psychological research has made extensive progress in understanding emotions in the reception and impact of a wide range of media. Media-sociological and media-cultural analyses capture the significance of emotions in experiencing media as a social-cultural process. Arlie Hochschild has used the terms 'emotional labor' and 'feeling rules' to clearly delineate the extent of social and cultural formation of emotions and of how emotions themselves in turn form social interaction. Using emojis, pressing the 'like' button and the collaborative design of ironic or sarcastic memes are an exemplary expression of this which also highlights the significance of visual communication. Here media-educational research is interested in the way emotions are influenced by (early-childhood) media use, what the consequences of (intensive) media consumption are for emotion regulation abilities and how the media-based experience of emotion can be practically utilized in learning processes. Simple, uni-directional assumptions on effect have long been a thing of the past. Instead, emotions and the experience of emotion are understood as an essential component of daily interaction with media. From a media-educational perspective this means for example investigation of how parents handle the emotions of their children in media education, which role emotions play in how youth deal with misinformation, how emotions can support (digital) entitlement, or, more broadly speaking, how media appropriation and mental health interact. This type of relational understanding of emotion however entails considerable challenges in both theoretical and empirical terms. Raymond Williams' historical concept of the "structures of feeling" (1977) has given rise to analyses of "emotional regimes" (Reddy, 2001) and – under digital conditions – of the encounter with "infra-structures of feeling" (Coleman, 2018).

Does media and communication science have adequately differentiated theoretical concepts of emotion and affect which are capable of describing and explaining this complex interaction? What theoretical, methodical and methodological challenges does a relational understanding of emotion entail? How can interdisciplinary collaboration enrich communication science research on emotion? And what is the (additional) relevance of communication science research on emotion to (media) educational questions?

We look forward to receiving submissions based on this foundation which critically explore the relationship between emotions and media from a variety of perspectives. Both empirical articles and theoretical-conceptual contributions are welcome. Here the focus should center in particular on the relevance of emotions and emotion research to (media) educational practice.

• What definition of emotion appears adequate for research in digital media landscapes?

• What understanding of emotion manifests in media production by professional stakeholders (journalists, filmmakers, game developers, etc.) and non-professional stakeholders (users, influencers, etc.)?

• How can the significance of emotion as a component part of media content ranges be identified conceptually and empirically and at the same time as a dimension in experiencing media?

• What role does emotion play in the process of creating content?

• What is the influence of emotion on the selection and curation of content (page design, program design, algorithmic selection)

• How can emotions be identified in visual communication?

• What is the role of feeling rules in peer communication via (digital) media content ranges and in dealing with media?

• How can emotional involvement be utilized in learning processes? Can "affective media practices" (Lünenborg et al., 2021) be conceptually useful?

• How is the knowledge of (our own) emotions changed by interaction with media?

• What is the impact of social context on the genesis of emotions?

• How do social media affect the emotional experience of young media users (digital stress, self-expression, digital health)?

• Does permanent networking give rise to new forms of "digital affect culture" (Döveling & Seyfert, 2023) and if so, how can these forms be empirically identified?

• To what extent are emotions taken into account in modeling media literacy?

• What is the significance of emotional experience in media appropriation concepts?

Submissions focusing on specific emotions (e. g. vicarious embarrassment, schadenfreude) and their connection to media content ranges and types of media use are also welcome.

Abstracts with a maximum length of 6,000 characters (including blank spaces) can be submitted to the merz-editorial team (merz@jff.de) until January 13, 2025. Please upload your abstracts at https://www.merz-zeitschrift.de/about/submissions. Submissions should follow the merzWissenschaft layout specifications, available at https://www.merz-zeitschrift.de/manuskriptrichtlinien/. The length of the articles should not exceed a maximum of approximately 4,000 words. Please feel free to contact Susanne Eggert, Fon: +49.89.68989.152, E-Mail: susanne.eggert@jff.de

DEADLINES AT A GLANCE

• 13 January 2025: Submission of abstracts to merz@jff.de

• 3 February 2025: Decision on acceptance/ rejection of abstracts

• 19 May 2025: Submission of articles

• May/June 2025: Assessment phase (double-blind peer review)

• June/July 2025: Revision phase (multi-phase when appropriate)

• End of November 2025: merzWissenschaft 2025 published

August 4-10, 2025

Södertörn University, Sweden

Deadline: February 14, 2025

The ECREA European Media and Communication Doctoral Summer School is an opportunity for European doctoral students to present and develop their ongoing PhD projects and build valuable networks. It brings together members of the European research community to explore contemporary issues within media and communication studies within a supportive social setting. Our main aim is to provide you with support, insights, and guidance through a variety of activities, including individual feedback seminars with leading media and communication scholars.

Call and grants call can be found here: https://ecrea.eu/page-18213

May 2-3, 2025

Jönköping University Sweden

Deadline: January 15, 2025

Organisers: Annette Hill (MKV, Jönköping University) and Hario Priambodho (MKV, Lund University)

Venue: Grand Hotel & Gamla Rådhuset, Jönköping

Media atmospheres are under pressure. There are scientific and metaphorical meanings of atmospheres as related to both climate and infrastructures and emotions and experiences. From the political economic forces applied to media industries, the representation of different climates in film and media, to the feeling of atmospheres surrounding political and cultural engagement, it is timely to question the generation of atmospheres by media technologies and institutions, texts and artefacts, and citizens and audiences.

How can we forge links between established and new theories and methods for media and the environment? We use the concept of ‘media atmospheres’ to promote engagement on this crucial set of topics. For example, media devices, infrastructures and systems impact on atmospheres, including the forces applied to the financing, regulation, production and distribution of media in society and the detrimental impact of media on the climate and environment. How various media create atmospheres is also of significance, from the mood of certain genres in film, TV, podcasts and streaming media, to the political and emotional climate of social media, campaigns and activism.

This multidisciplinary symposium addresses the role of media in generating various atmospheres, both positive and negative, material and symbolic. We invite international researchers to critically examine the theme of media atmospheres through empirical and theoretical research across media and communications, critical infrastructures and technologies, climate and the environment, culture and society.

Core questions for this symposium include 1) What different kinds of atmospheres are generated in media and communications, culture and society? 2) How do media atmospheres generate power and social (in)equalities? 3) Which methodologies and methods can be applied to critically analyse media atmospheres?

The symposium addresses a range of areas, including:

• Phenomenology of atmospheres and media, communication and cultural studies;
  
• Atmospheres and critical infrastructures studies, critical data studies and science and technology studies;
  
• Atmospheres in audience studies, fan studies, and film and reception studies;
  
• Atmospheres and eco media studies, environmental communication and sustainable society;
  
• Creating atmospheres in arts, film, radio, television, social media and web series;
  
• Atmospheres and organisations, work, and labour relations;
  
• Political atmospheres in news, documentary, information, disinformation and polarization, and campaigns;
• Atmospheres in live events, social media, drama, film, radio, podcasting and television studies;
  
• Atmospheres in mobility, transnational communication and transportation of goods and services, humans and non humans.
  

The programme for the symposium across two days includes three keynote panels with invited speakers and open parallel panels. There will be a dedicated website, video and podcasts of keynote panels, and selected papers from the symposium will be edited in an international academic publication. The senior editors at Intellect Press and Routledge will be present, chairing an interactive roundtable on academic publishing for scientific books and journals.

International invited speakers include Julia Brockley (Intellect Press), Simon Dawes (Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France), Natalie Foster (Routledge), Christine Geraghty (Glasgow University, UK), Joke Hermes (InHolland University, Netherlands), Annette Hill (Jönköping University, Sweden), Peter Lunt (Leicester University, UK), and Dylan Mulvin (LSE, UK), Hario Priambodho (Lund University, Sweden). 

Please submit an abstract of 300 words in English by January 15, 2025 to Hario Priambodho (hario.priambodho@kom.lu.se). For further information please consult our website https://ju.se/Media%20Atmospheres%20international%20symposium

There is a registration fee of 2800 SEK. The fee covers lunches, beverages and snacks over two days, and a grand three course meal at the end of symposium at Grand Hotel.

School of English, Drama and Creative Studies, University of Birmingham (UK)

APPLY NOW

104941

Position Details

School of English, Drama and Creative Studies

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 13th January 2025

International travel may be required for this role

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop. 

Background

The Department of Linguistics and Communication

The Department of Linguistics and Communication is a world-leading centre of excellence for both teaching and research with students based in Birmingham as well as in over thirty different countries. It forms a central part of the School of English, Drama, Creative Studies, within the College of Arts and Law. The Department has an excellent track record in teaching and an active research culture with productive collaboration within and beyond the University, and wide-ranging public engagement. Staff in the department research and teach across the full range of English Language and Applied Linguistics, including Corpus Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Stylistics, Discourse Analysis, New Media and English Language Teaching. The Department is home to the Centre for Corpus Research (CCR) which highlights the strong cross-disciplinary reach of corpus linguistics at Birmingham with particular focus on the links between cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and stylistics. CCR provides access to a range of corpora and has a dedicated computer suite with specialist resources as well as an eye-tracking laboratory.

The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies (EDACS)

The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies is a vibrant and thriving school situated within the College of Arts and Law. It hosts a community of academics and students researching and learning together in areas including Linguistics, Media and Communication, Film Studies, English Literature, Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre Arts. Many of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes combine academic scholarship with creative practice and offer students opportunities to learn from industry experts and partners in the Creative Industries. One of the School’s strengths includes the study of Shakespeare both on the Edgbaston Campus and at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. EDACS encourages inter-disciplinarity and intellectual collaboration both in teaching and research.

Equal Opportunities

The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunities employer. The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies recognises that strength and success comes from diversity and strives to maintain a flexible and supportive environment that enables all staff and students to flourish. The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN award.

Interview format/requirements

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend for interview and deliver a presentation. Further information will be given to shortlisted candidates.

There will be an on-line drop-in session with Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett and Professor Ruth Page from the Department of Linguistics and Communication on 10 December 2024 between 11am and 12pm for people who might wish to ask a question in person rather than via email. If you would like to book a short slot, please email Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett (J.A.Bennett.1@bham.ac.uk).

Role Summary

As part of strategic growth and investment in Digital Media and Communications, the School seeks to recruit an Assistant Professor with effect from 1st April 2025 to be based on the University’s Edgbaston campus. The post holder will demonstrate particular expertise in language and new media, and be able to evidence experience of teaching and research in this subject area.

The post holder will contribute high quality teaching to our suite of successful programmes which includes the BA in Digital Media and Communications launched on the University’s Edgbaston campus in September 2023, the MA in Digital Media and Creative Industries launched on the Edgbaston campus in September 2024, and the MA in Digital Media and Communications to be launched on the Edgbaston campus in September 2025. The post holder will also play an active role in the development of our Digital Media and Communications provision on the University’s Dubai campus, including optional travel opportunities to that campus. 

Research excellence will include initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. The post holder’s research will have measurable outcomes reflected in growing national (and ideally international) reputation.

In addition to delivering excellence in teaching and research, successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all colleagues and students.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, school’s outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education 

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
  
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
  
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
  
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
  
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
  
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
  
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
  
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
  
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work. 
  

Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

• planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
  
• project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
  
• presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
  
• effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
  
• providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
  
• participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
  
• applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.
  

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

• contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
  
• leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
  
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
  
• making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
  
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
  
• actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour;
  
• ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research.
  

Citizenship 

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
  
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
  
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
  
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
  
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.
  

Person Specification

• A higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD);
  
• Extensive research/teaching experience at HE level and scholarship within subject specialism;
  
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research;
  
• Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels;
  
• Ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research;
  
• Ability to play an active role in the development of new modules and programmes on the University’s Edgbaston and Dubai campuses.
  

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes;
  
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues;
  
• Ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research;
  
• Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience;
  
• Experience of teaching and supporting international students;
  
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative software, and ability to support students with its use. 
  

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation;
  
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results;
  
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods;
  
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.
  

Management and Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes;
  
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively;
  
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes;
  
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area;
  
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Informal enquiries to Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett, Head of Department, email: J.A.Bennett.1@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

Job Identification: 6124

Job Category: Academic Non-clinical

Posting Date: 12/09/2024, 01:18 PM

Apply Before: 01/14/2025, 12:59 AM

Job Schedule: Full time

Locations: Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, GB

School of English, Drama and Creative Studies, University of Birmingham (UK)

APPLY NOW

104939

Grade 8 (6123)

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 13th January 2025

International travel may be required for this role

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop. 

Background

The Department of Linguistics and Communication

The Department of Linguistics and Communication is a world-leading centre of excellence for both teaching and research with students based in Birmingham as well as in over thirty different countries. It forms a central part of the School of English, Drama, Creative Studies, within the College of Arts and Law. The Department has an excellent track record in teaching and an active research culture with productive collaboration within and beyond the University, and wide-ranging public engagement. Staff in the department research and teach across the full range of English Language and Applied Linguistics, including Corpus Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Stylistics, Discourse Analysis, New Media and English Language Teaching. The Department is home to the Centre for Corpus Research (CCR) which highlights the strong cross-disciplinary reach of corpus linguistics at Birmingham with particular focus on the links between cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and stylistics. CCR provides access to a range of corpora and has a dedicated computer suite with specialist resources as well as an eye-tracking laboratory.

The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies (EDACS)

The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies is a vibrant and thriving school situated within the College of Arts and Law. It hosts a community of academics and students researching and learning together in areas including Linguistics, Media and Communication, Film Studies, English Literature, Creative Writing and Drama and Theatre Arts. Many of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes combine academic scholarship with creative practice and offer students opportunities to learn from industry experts and partners in the Creative Industries. One of the School’s strengths includes the study of Shakespeare both on the Edgbaston Campus and at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. EDACS encourages inter-disciplinarity and intellectual collaboration both in teaching and research.

Equal Opportunities

The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunities employer. The School of English, Drama and Creative Studies recognises that strength and success comes from diversity and strives to maintain a flexible and supportive environment that enables all staff and students to flourish. The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN award.

Interview format/requirements

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend for interview and deliver a presentation. Further information will be given to shortlisted candidates.

There will be an on-line drop-in session with Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett and Professor Ruth Page from the Department of Linguistics and Communication at 1pm on 13th December 2024 for people who might wish to ask a question in person rather than via email. If you would like to book a short slot, please email Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett (J.A.Bennett.1@bham.ac.uk).

Role Summary

As part of strategic growth and investment in Digital Media and Communications, the School seeks to recruit an Assistant Professor with effect from 1st April 2025 to be based on the University’s Edgbaston campus. The post holder will demonstrate particular expertise in intercultural communication, and be able to evidence experience of teaching and researching in this area.

The post holder will contribute high quality teaching to our suite of successful programmes which includes the BA in Digital Media and Communications launched on the University’s Edgbaston campus in September 2023, the MA in Digital Media and Creative Industries launched on the Edgbaston campus in September 2024, and the MA in Digital Media and Communications to be launched on the Edgbaston campus in September 2025. The post holder will also play an active role in the development of our Digital Media and Communications provision on the University’s Dubai campus, including optional travel opportunities to that campus. 

Research excellence will include initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. The post holder’s research will have measurable outcomes reflected in growing national (and ideally international) reputation.

In addition to delivering excellence in teaching and research, successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all colleagues and students.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, school’s outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education 

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
  
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
  
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
  
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
  
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
  
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
  
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
  
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
  
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work. 
  

Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

• planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
  
• project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
  
• presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
  
• effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
  
• providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
  
• participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
  
• applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.
  

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

• contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
  
• leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
  
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
  
• making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
  
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
  
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
  
• actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour;
  
• ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research.
  

Citizenship 

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
  
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
  
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
  
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
  
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.
  

Person Specification

• A higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD);
  
• Extensive research/teaching experience at HE level and scholarship within subject specialism;
  
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research;
  
• Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels;
  
• Ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research;
  
• Ability to play an active role in the development of new modules and programmes on the University’s Edgbaston and Dubai campuses.
  

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes;
  
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues;
  
• Ability to work with stakeholders outside academia in order to develop employability elements of taught programmes and potentially Impactful research;
  
• Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience;
  
• Experience of teaching and supporting international students;
  
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative software, and ability to support students with its use. 
  

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation;
  
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results;
  
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods;
  
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.
  

Management and Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes;
  
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively;
  
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes;
  
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area;
  
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Informal enquiries to Dr Joe Spencer-Bennett, Head of Department, email: J.A.Bennett.1@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

• Job Identification: 6123
  
• Job Category: Academic Non-clinical
  
• Posting Date: 12/09/2024, 01:23 PM
  
• Apply Before: 01/14/2025, 12:59 AM
  
• Job Schedule: Full time
  
• Locations: Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, GB
  

September 29-30, 2025

Leipzig University, Germany

Deadline: April 15, 2025

50th Anniversary Conference of Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research

Please submit abstracts to stefanie.averbeck-lietz@uni-greifswald.de by 15 April 2025.

For more information, go to: https://www.sozphil.uni-leipzig.de/institut-fuer-kommunikations-und-medienwissenschaft/professuren/professur-fuer-medien-und-kommunikationswissenschaft/european-communication-research-what-whence-and-whither

In its 50th year, Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research invites to reconsider what European communication research is – and what it can be. From its start in 1975, the journal’s mission has been to serve as a forum for scholarship and academic debate in the field of communication science and research from a European perspective. But what is in fact a European perspective?  

The jubilee conference invites us to rethink what constitutes European communication research. This opens up a range of questions like: What are particular European preoccupations and key contributions to the wider debates? On which theoretical and methodological fundaments does European communication research rest that set it apart from other inquiries? Is there a unique European contribution to global communication theories? How do assumedly European values of diversity, solidarity, or democracy shape communication research? How can European communication research explore the concept of a ‘digital Europe’? Where does European communication research lead us, and what can or shall we expect from it that is different from work drawn out in other parts of the globe? How do we deal with linguistic barriers and the diversity of research traditions? And can we think of a European communication research beyond exceptionalism and essentialism?

These and similar questions had been around since the journal was launched, and they are still relevant today. They become virulent again in a context where Eurocentrism in research has been widely and rightly criticized while Europe’s identity, its boundaries, its legacies, and values face increasing contestation. This ties questions of media and communication to Europe’s political, legal, social, and economic formation that is in no way isolated, uniform, or static. Indeed, the attribute ‘European’ carries geopolitical as much as intellectual connotations with far-reaching consequences for the journal’s scope, composition, and purpose.

The conference offers a moment to rethink what a European perspective could mean for scholarship and what kind of Europe is in fact evoked here. These reflections urge us to rethink the journal’s role in fostering scholarship that is both inclusive and critically engaged with Europe’s complexities. What kinds of questions can usefully be asked? What forms of critique are pertinent? What sorts of research should be drawn out? Which pathways should Communications follow to reaffirm its relevance and leadership in fostering impactful scholarship? Possible answers can come from a variety of areas given that the journal seeks to encompass the entire field of communication science as its domain of interest and the contributions published cover a wide range of subfields in communications.

The conference is open to theoretical and empirical approaches. It invites emerging and junior scholars as well as senior faculty to contemplate the peculiar character of European communication research.

Contributions can address, but are not limited to, the following aspects:

• Diversity and commonalties of European research traditions
  
• Legacies and foundations of European communication research
  
• Agendas and approaches in comparative research within Europe and beyond
  
• Regional and transborder communication
  
• Global dimensions, connections, and reverberations of European communication research
  
• Gaps and deficits of European communication research
  
• Pathways and pitfalls for European communication research
  
• Values and norms for European communication research
  

The conference will take place at the Department for Communication and Media Studies at Leipzig University, Germany. It is supported by de Gruyter publishers, the German Society for Communication Research (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kommunikationsforschung – DGKF), and the University of Greifswald.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts must be submitted via email (stefanie.averbeck-lietz@uni-greifswald.de) by 15 April 2025. Submissions must contain a front page with all information about the author(s) as well as an anonymized extended abstract (max. 500 words excl. front page and bibliographical references).

General Information

The conference will begin on Monday, 29 September 2025, and end on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. For updated information concerning the program, registration, accommodation, and travel, please visit our website

The registration fee is 150 Euro and includes lunch catering and coffee & tea breaks.

Key Dates

• 15 April 2025: deadline for abstract submissions
  
• 1 June 2025: notification of acceptance
  
• 1 July 2025: preliminary program online
  
• 15 August 2025: deadline for registration to the conference
  
• 29 to 30 September 2025: conference
  

Organizers and Contact

• Prof Christian Pentzold, Leipzig University, Germany
  
• Prof Stefanie Averbeck-Lietz, University of Greifswald, Germany
  
• Prof Leen d’Haenens, Leuven University, Belgium
  

Email: stefanie.averbeck-lietz@uni-greifswald.de

Web: https://www.sozphil.uni-leipzig.de/institut-fuer-kommunikations-und-medienwissenschaft/professuren/professur-fuer-medien-und-kommunikationswissenschaft/european-communication-research-what-whence-and-whither

Conference Venue

Department of Communication and Media Studies, Leipzig University, Nikolaistrasse 27-29, 04109 Leipzig, Germany

July 16-18, 2025

Grenoble, France

Submission Deadline: February 1, 2025

We are delighted to invite submissions for the 10th Consortium of European Research on Emotion (CERE) Conference, hosted by Université Grenoble Alpes on 16–18 July 2025.

CERE serves as a leading platform for showcasing cutting-edge research on emotion, fostering interdisciplinary exchange across Europe and beyond. The consortium encourages contributions from scholars engaged in empirically grounded theoretical work across diverse disciplines, including but not limited to Psychology, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Sociology, Linguistics, Affective Computing, History, and Anthropology.

Submission Details:

- The conference will feature Paper sessions, Poster presentations, Symposia, and Data workshops.

- Scholars are invited to submit abstracts by 1 February 2025. Submissions should highlight innovative contributions to the study of emotion, appealing to an interdisciplinary audience.

CERE 2025 offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with international colleagues, share your research findings, and explore the latest advancements in emotion research. With an attendance of 200–300 scholars, CERE conferences are renowned for stimulating intellectual dialogue and fostering collaborative networks. For more details, please visit the official conference website: www.cere2025.com.

Help us spread the word and make CERE 2025 an outstanding event for the emotion research community!

Scientific Committee

• Anna Tcherkassof, Université Grenoble Alpes – Chair
  
• Martin Krippl, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg – Co-Chair
  
• Damien Dupré, Dublin City University
  

ERC INCONEX, Salzburg, AT

Dear all,

I am looking for a Postdoc (f/m/d; 40 hours/week; up to 5 years) in Computational Social Science in my ERC project INCONEX at the Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Austria. The project aims to understand who is made absent by whom, how, when, and why in the process of political representation. More information on the project is available here: https://sites.google.com/view/inconex/home  

The position is initially for 3 years, with the possibility of extension for an additional two years (3+2) and involves developing cutting-edge computational text analysis tools to examine parliamentary speech across languages, collaborating on innovative research, and contributing to methodological and substantive publications. Salary is competitive and conference funds/career support are provided. Applications are due by 8 January 2025, end of day.

Find the full job advertisement attached and here: https://sites.google.com/view/inconex/news/postdoc-position

Best wishes,

Lucy Kinski

September 16-18, 2025

Tallinn University, Estonia

Deadline: February 1, 2025

Diaspora, Migration, and the Media International and Intercultural Communication Sections Conference

Website: https://www.tlu.ee/en/bfm/dmmiic

Recent global challenges and the rise of far-right governments worldwide have intensified the persecution of migrants, transforming borders into harsh zones of exclusion and surveillance. In this climate, migration is increasingly criminalized, and those seeking safety and opportunity are often met with hostility, reinforcing narrow nationalist ideologies. This environment has posed new methodological challenges for research in migration contexts, as well as prompted reflexive considerations on how knowledge is generated, how participants are cared for, and how spaces are created to support human dignity and mobility.

This conference invites researchers to propose abstracts that address methodological and reflexive perspectives in the exploration of multifaceted migration experiences and intercultural communication in the context of migration persecution and border closing. Creative methods, such as digital storytelling, participatory media projects, ethnographic film, and arts-based research, offer rich and nuanced perspectives that address current challenges in migration criminalization. These methods not only capture the complexities of diasporic lives, but also empower communities to express their own narratives and co-create knowledge.

We encourage contributions that reflect on these innovative approaches to migration and media studies, as they have the potential to deepen our understanding of how identities, relationships, and cultural dialogues are shaped and redefined through media. Beyond methodological approaches, we also encourage researchers to explore more broadly a reflexive analysis of the dynamic intersection of migration, media, and communication.

We encourage submissions that propose alternative, reflexive creative methodological approaches and critical epistemologies to address topics such as:

● Intercultural encounters and intercultural dialogue

● Practices of exclusion, surveillance, and persecution at the border

● AI, platform affordances, and infrastructures in relation to migration and intercultural communication

● Digital counter publics and diasporic activism

● Digital communication on intercultural perceptions and interactions

● Multilingualism in digital spaces and its implications for social cohesion

● Digital transnationalism

 ● Ethical dimensions of researching migration, media, and intercultural dialogue

● Identity formation and sense of belonging

In addition to the conference, we will be hosting a joint workshop for PhD students on the 16th of September 2025, in Tallinn. The workshop will focus on creative methods of research, alternative ways of writing, and reflexive approaches to migration, media, and intercultural dialogue. If you are a PhD student and would like to participate, please submit your application via online submission form. Please note that it is possible for Doctoral researchers to attend both the workshop and the conference, or only one event. More detailed information about the PhD workshop structure will come later.

Submission guidelines:

● Individual Submission: Present your research or insights in an oral presentation to allow for a focused discussion of your work. Submissions should include an abstract (max 400 words including keywords and main references) and a short biographical note (max 100 words). Abstracts should be submitted electronically, using online submission form by 1 February 2025.

● Panel: This format encourages a deeper exploration of topics from various perspectives and fosters dynamic interactions among participants. Submissions for panels should include a chairperson, a rationale for the panel (250 words), and the names of four speakers including their abstract (250 words). Submissions for panels should be submitted via online submission form by 1 February 2025.

● Workshop: Conduct a 60 to 90-minute workshop that offers hands-on experiences and practical engagement with the theme. This format is ideal for fostering collaboration and active learning among attendees. Workshop submissions should include a chairperson, a rationale for the workshop (250 words), and the names of 5 speakers/participants with each biographical note (max 100 words). Submissions for workshops should be submitted via online submission form by 1 February 2025.

The conference will be in person only. 

Conference Deadlines:

• February 1 - Abstract submission deadline. 
• Early April - Notification of acceptance. 
• May 1 - Early registration deadline.
  
• June 15 - Late registration deadline.
  

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Organising committee

ECREA International and Intercultural Communication

• Anastassia Zabrodskaja (Tallinn University, Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Estonia) David Ongenaert (Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
  
• Melanie Radue (University of Passau, Germany)
  
• Shomaila Sadaf (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
  

ECREA Diaspora, Migration and the Media

• Sara Marino (University of the Arts London, United Kingdom) Silvia Almenara Niebla (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium) Çiğdem Bozdağ (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) Miriana Cascone (Södertörn University, Sweden)
  
• Claudia Minchilli (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) Rob Sharp (University of Sussex, United Kingdom)
  

Contact Person: If you have any inquiries, please reach out to the Conference Chair, Professor Anastassia Zabrodskaja, at anastassia.zabrodskaja@tlu.ee.