Call for Papers:
2009 Workshop of the ECREA's "Communication Law and Policy" Section
New Directions for Communication Policy Research
The "Communication Law and Policy" Section of ECREA invites abstracts
for theoretical and empirical papers on the topic of New Directions for
Communication Policy Research. The division's 2009 workshop takes place
in Zurich, Switzerland, on November 6-7, 2009. It is hosted and jointly
organized by the divisions "Media & Politics" and "Media Change &
Innovation" of the University of Zurich's Institute of Mass
Communication and Media Research (IPMZ).
The state of the art of communication policy research is well
documented, but where do we go from here? How do we theoretically and
methodologically approach new policy issues? What policy challenges are
emerging and what insights can we gain from the application of theories
and methods of cognate areas?
The workshop focuses on the following four topics:
* New Theories: Scholars in communication policy research are
specialized in applying a variety of theoretical approaches (e.g.
policy analysis, regulation theory). Abstracts addressing this topic
should either present possible enhancements of these theories or
highlight how other theories can be helpful for the analysis of policy
and regulation (e.g. governance, organization theory, institutionalism,
innovation theory). Presentations should focus mainly on the
application of these theories to our subjects of research.
* New Methods: While much research is of a comparative nature, methods
are not always well elaborated. Similarly, document analysis is one of
the mostly used methods but rarely covered in textbooks. Abstracts
addressing this topic should reflect ontological and epistemological
questions, discuss how data collection and data analysis work in
practice and point out benefits and challenges for communication policy
research. Abstracts based on already performed research projects are
welcome but should not focus on empirical results alone.
* New Subjects: New policy challenges arising from media change are
manifold and wide-spread in communication policy research. Abstracts
addressing new subjects should analyze specific new and emerging policy
challenges and show how communication policy research approaches these
issues. Presentations may include but are not limited to competition
policy, policies for new content platforms, intellectual property
rights, privacy, public service media, data protection, spectrum
policy, user generated content (Web 2.0), social networks, and civil
liberties.
* New Regulatory Structures and Instruments: New regulatory structures
and instruments have emerged as specific features of the changing
communication landscape. Abstracts addressing this topic should provide
insights into the workings, impact and effectiveness of these new
institutional arrangements. Presentations may include but are not
limited to new forms of governance, independent and integrated
regulatory authorities, the interrelationship between various
regulatory bodies (competition vs. sectoral regulators; state
regulation vs. self- and co-regulation), and the understanding of
common or different governance patterns across nations.
The workshop's aim is to stimulate reflection and discussion on New
Directions for Communication Policy Research. The sessions will thus be
thematically focused and leave room for discussion and exchange.
Abstracts of no more than 400 words should be submitted in Word-format
directly to the organizers of the conference by June 1, 2009 (Manuel
Puppis, (m.puppis /at/ ipmz.uzh.ch), and Natascha Just, (n.just /at/ ipmz.uzh.ch)).
Each abstract must address one of the above topics in a sound
theoretical and methodological manner, include a title as well as the
name(s), institutional affiliation(s) and e-mail address(es) of the
author(s). Colleagues will be notified of acceptance by June 30, 2009,
and registration is required by September 1, 2009. Full papers are due
no later than October 15, 2009.
More information will be available in due time on the conference
website:
http://www.mediapolicy.uzh.ch/ecrea/
