[Commlist] Communication, democracy and transformative change conference

*Communication, democracy and transformative change: *

*Exploring new intersections between digital media and political engagement*

University of Minho

Campus de Gualtar

29-30 September 2020

More information: 
http://www.lasics.uminho.pt/estudosdecomunicacao/?page_id=923

Call for Papers

Democracies are under threat in many parts of the world. The emergence 
of authoritarian and illiberal political forces, and the rise of 
intolerance in political discourse can be linked to a variety of 
factors. These include mistrust in political institutions, which in turn 
has been exacerbated by rampant economic inequality and injustice. Also, 
populist and xenophobic forms of communication in digital spaces are 
fueling fear and hatred. Declining diversity and pluralism in mainstream 
journalism and debate also contribute to the fragile condition of both 
older and younger democracies. Further, decreasing interest in political 
news renders citizens

less effective in dealing with the forces that shape their lives.

In contrast, various new modes of engagement with the /res publica/have 
emerged in an ever more complex information and communication 
environment. Several countries have seen a significant growth of 
alternative forms of journalism, which are often embedded with activism 
for social change. Political dissent has been sustained by exchanges 
in/through digital media and in some cases led to significant 
disruptions in the prevailing political order. Civil society 
organizations, groups and social movements are developing alternative 
modes of organization, self-governance and collective action that can 
stimulate wider change and political agency, as well as generate new 
challenges and tensions. At the same time, political engagement on the 
far right has also spread and intensified, and a new arsenal of 
anti-democratic practices have emerged on the web, at times threatening 
to subvert key democratic institutions such as journalism, public 
debate, and even elections.

While acknowledging the threats to democracy, this conference aims to go 
beyond them and discuss communication practices that can reinvigorate 
democratic politics. Against a background of systemic problems that are 
producing various forms of unsustainability, as well as of widespread 
discourses promoting progressive transformative change in current 
societies, important questions arise for communication scholars and 
other social scientists: How are digital media being used towards 
structural – and democratic – change? What signs can we find of 
significant engagement with the politics of transformation? How can our 
disciplines contribute to these debates and developments?

Assuming that fundamental change is imperative in current societies, 
radical democratic politics imply opening up the future to what is not 
yet given. To understand the possibilities and constraints for this 
symbolic shift, there is a vital need for in-depth research on cases and 
examples of communication that is political and radical.

The conference welcomes submissions about communication for democratic 
transformative change addressing (/inter alia/) the following themes:

-Democratizing uses of digital technologies

-Political engagement in the current communication environment

-Social movements’ communication for transformative change

-Communication practices in organizing for transformative activism

-Alternative forms of journalism and contributions for social change

-Democratic media activism

-Risks associated with the rise of ´citizenism’.

Confirmed keynote speakers:

Natalie Fenton, Goldsmiths College, University of London

Alice Mattoni, University of Bologna

Abstracts (400-500 words) can be submitted via the following email 
address: (communicationfortransformation /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(communicationfortransformation /at/ gmail.com)>

/Selected papers will be published in an edited book./

*Important dates*

Submission deadline: 30 April 2020

Communication of acceptance: 12 May 2020

Registration deadlines and fees: 31 May 2020 – 40 euros; 1 September 
2020 – 60 euros

The conference is organized by the PhD programme in Communication 
Studies: Technology, Culture and Society in collaboration with the 
Communication and Society Research Centre, University of Minho.

Conference organisers:

Anabela Carvalho, University of Minho

Peter Dahlgren, Lund University

/The conference will aim to minimize its environmental impact as much as 
possible. To that purpose, and to widen access more generally, virtual 
participation will be possible – with or without a presentation.///

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