[ecrea] Arab Media Researchers- Doctoral Forum in Media & Communication- Tunis

*The Arab Media and Communication Network (AMCN)*

*& ***

*University of Manouba / The Institute of Journalism and Communication 
Sciences (IPSI)*

*Organise***

*Arab Doctoral Forum in Media and Communication Sciences.*

*Tunis: 2-4 January 2019*

**

*_Call for Participation _**__*

**

**

*Introduction: *

In an attempt to establish a network of researchers and exchange 
knowledge and expertise in media and communication across the Arab world 
and beyond, the Arab Media and Communication Network (AMCN) along with 
the Institute of Journalism and Communication Sciences (IPSI) in Tunisia 
will be organising the first doctoral forum in Arab media and 
communication research between 2-4 January 2019.

This event aims at providing a common ground for research and academic 
exchange between doctoral students and established academics in the 
field from Arab and western universities. This occasion will provide a 
platform for researchers to discuss their works with peers and senior 
academics.

This symposium takes place at a time when Arab countries are undergoing 
geo-political transformations starting from the end of the cold war era, 
the explosion of satellite technologies and the internet. Then the 11 
September 2001 attacks and the invasion of Iraq (2003) which culminated 
with the Arab Spring revolutions and its aftermath. All of these 
transformations have affected the relationship between the public and 
the rulers as well as the media organisations.

Most of the social and political changes in the Arab world have been 
challenging to assess. This is partly due to the lack of strategic 
thinking by think-tanks and extensive relevant research works. Also it 
is because of the unhealthy relationship between the state and the media 
in the Arab world in which the media are in many cases employed as 
propaganda tools coupled with censorship of free speech.

This has impacted negatively on the relationship between academic 
institutions and the study of the media and has widened the knowledge 
gap in this area. To the extent that academic research has become unable 
to catch up with the speedy technological developments especially in 
satellite TV, internet and social media and public relations in various 
institutions. Most of the knowledge production in this area are 
newspaper articles and reports mainly speculative and far from being 
scientifically grounded in comprehensive empirical studies.

**

*Why this Forum?*

The Arab Spring came to proclaim the demise of the post-independence 
state, which has always provided security and publicity in the making of 
public opinion rather than the freedom of citizens to form a private 
opinion through follow-up without coercion of the media. Everyone seem 
unable to understand, study and interpret what is happening.

Few blamed technology for driving this change. While others went to 
accuse journalists, as irresponsible and manipulativeof free speech. The 
journalism schools, colleges and faculty members who teach their 
students media techniques and freedom of the press are also blamed for 
the lack of responsibility and for their patriotism.

The fingerprints of the state that did not know the way to adapt to the 
new political and media environments and became locked in the mechanisms 
of the media in the post-independence state in particular. Others saw in 
the public opinion a new accuser who believes everything that is 
published, which begins the blocking in the name of avoiding exposing 
public opinion to deception. It is an explicit call for guardianship of 
what people think. While others suggested introducing education on the 
media to a people who did not understand what pluralism was and did not 
live the experience of democracy. The result then is an unprecedented 
state of confusion, everyone accuses everyone and no one knows how 
freedom of expression and freedom of the media can become a gateway to 
development, modernization and democracy. In the absence of the latter, 
there was a lack of opportunities for development and civilizational 
progress. Simply put, in order for the media to play an effective role, 
the relationship between the media in a society undergoing profound 
transformations away from any political or ideological engagement must 
be examined.

In the context of this thesis, and to search for a solution, few turned 
to the hypothesis of scientific research and to study the complex 
relationship between the media and society, which requires scientific 
explanation, not resort to conspiracy theories.

**

*Objectives of the Forum:*

In this context, the first Arab forum for doctoral students in media and 
communication sciences is an opportunity to engage Arab researchers into 
this growing field of research and to provide an opportunity for their 
interaction with their colleagues directly and with those who are more 
experienced in academia. This forum is also an opportunity to introduce 
doctoral students to the prevailing research trends as well as emerging 
Arab and international ones. The objectives of this event can be 
summarised in the following themes:

- Developing scientific exchange among Arab researchers in the field of 
information and communication sciences.

- Reducing research gaps between those working in the field of 
information and communication sciences in different Arab countries.

- Unveil emerging research themes in the information and communication 
sciences, both Arab and international, by presenting the research 
problems that the doctoral students are working on.

- Develop intersections of various research approaches, especially those 
related to emerging issues in the Arab media environment after the Arab 
Spring events.

*How to participate:*

PhD students in the field of media and communication sciences in the 
Arab world or students in the same specialization in other international 
universities may submit a proposal to present the doctoral project they 
are working on and their progress in taking up the various 
methodological, epistemological, theoretical and bibliographic issues of 
the subject. Proposals should include the following:

- First page should include a title not exceeding 25 words, then the 
name of the researcher and the institutional affiliation and e-mail address.

- Summary of the research of no more than 1000 words which includes 
references and sources and a presentation of the problem, i.e. the 
theoretical framework and the research questions, then the methodology 
adopted and finally the stages of development of the research and the 
presentation of the preliminary results, if any.

- All proposals will be refereed. The evaluation criteria will be as 
follows:

1 - Importance of the subject of the doctoral thesis.

2- Research problem and questions.

3 - Clarity of the methodology followed and compatibility with the 
hypothesis of research.

4. Quality of the proposal.

B- Participation is not limited to the submission of doctoral projects, 
but doctoral students can participate in seminars and workshops and 
attend presentations to discuss the projects of their colleagues.

*Programme themes :*

The event’s programme will include the following sessions:

-Presentations by doctoral students whose proposals are accepted by the 
jury.
- Discussions on the current doctoral research in the Arab world: 
reality and prospects.
- Workshops in research methodology and preparation of doctoral 
dissertations.
- Talks on the problems of intellectual and epistemological challenges 
in media and communication sciences today.

**

*Forum Language:*

- Doctoral projects submitted to the conference committee are accepted 
in Arabic, French and English.

- The methodology workshops should be offered in Arabic, French and 
English, with at least 10 students enrolled.

2. Participation fees of US $50 (or equivalent in Tunisian Dinars) 
should be paid in cash at the registration desk on the day.

- A certificate of participation will be issued for all participants of 
the forum.
- Organizers are not responsible for hotel accommodation and travel 
expenses.

- Organizers will propose a preferred hotel for accommodation at reduced 
rates in the center of Tunis. Participants will have to make their own 
bookingsin person.

*__*

*_Important dates :_*

-Deadline for abstracts submission: November 30, 2018.

-Confirmation of abstracts acceptance: December 5, 2018.

-Hotel booking: From 1^st to 15^th of December 2018.

__

ØPlease Submit your abstract to: *(Forumarabesic /at/ gmail.com)* 
<mailto:(Forumarabesic /at/ gmail.com)>

ØFor any information, please call Ms *Elhem jouini* on *0021628542650 
**or Mr. Chokri Ben Younes*on *0021628760074*

*_Scientific Committee :_*

·Pr. Mohamed Hamdane

·Pr. Larbi Choukha

·Pr. Abdelkrim Hizaoui

·Pr. Saloua Charfi

·Pr. Jamel Zran

·Pr. Noureddine Miladi

·Dr. Moez Ben Messaoud

·Dr. Hamida Elbour

*_Organisation Committee :_*

·Dr. Ourida Boussada

·Dr. Sofiene Ammar

·Dr Mongi Mabrouki

·Dr. Amine Ben Messaoud

·Dr. Mohamed Ali Elhaou

·Dr. Chahira Ben Abdallah

·Dr. Hanen Melliti

·Dr. Soumeya Berrejeb

·Nabil Arfaoui

---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please
use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at
http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ vub.ac.be)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------