[ecrea] Digcult #12 Conference: Theory, Context and the Internet

*CALL FOR PAPERS: **Digcult #12*
*
*
*Theory, Context and the Internet*
13-14 June, 2012 - MediaCity, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK.
http://ww.digcult.org
*Organizers:*
Ben Light and Marie Griffiths, University of Salford
Siân Lincoln, Liverpool John Moores University
Steve Sawyer, Syracuse Universit*y*

*Conference Theme*
Drawing on the success of the 2008-2010 Digital Cultures workshops, we 
will host the first Digital Cultures conference in June 2012.
In a world of virtual communication and social media, it can be argued 
that we face challenges regarding the theorization and contextualisation 
of Internet mediated activity. The desire to generate new knowledge 
coupled with the hyperbole and 'upgrade me' mindset that so often 
surrounds the Internet means that often new theoretical approaches are 
introduced as a way to understand current uses and meanings where 
perhaps they are not necessary.  In terms of context, contemporary 
experiencescan sometimes be decoupled from prior experiences, resulting 
in rhetoric of 'the new'.  The outcome of this can be an emphasis on 
discontinuity for example as demonstrated in discourses regarding the 
pre-Web 2.0 era. Web 2.0 is conceptualised as new, contextualised in a 
simplistic fashion and claims are made regarding the necessity of new 
theory to understand such a 'revolutionary new world'.    While clearly, 
societal change and socio-technical change are occurring variously 
across the planet (although the two may not necessarily be linked) 
continuity is also present -- empirically and theoretically.  There is 
therefore, a need to consider the history of Internet mediated 
arrangements and, to continue an interrogation of the abilities of 
extant theory to respond to and facilitate understandings of 
contemporary situations.
We call for contributions that do 2 things:
.     One, engage with an aspect of Internet mediated activity and 
historically contextualise it
.     Two, engage with/generate theoretical approaches in a reflexive 
fashion.
Themes that papers might address include, but are not limited to:
Dating, Commerce, Gaming, Politics, Play, Social networking, Privacy 
management, Sex work, Home working, Entertainment, Celebrity, Music 
production and consumption, Pornography, the intensification of work and 
Work-life balance, mediated youth cultures, learn/educate, health and 
well-being, travel/tourism, search information and media consumption, 
blurring boundaries between work and non-work times and places.
Following from the previous workshops, we see this conference as an 
outlet for digital media, ICT and technology related research which may 
not readily sit within conventional disciplinary areas.
We seek *extended**abstracts** of up to 1000 words* (excluding 
references) that engage with theory, context and the internet. We also 
welcome *panel proposals* incorporating three presentations.  These 
should comprise *3 x 1000 word* abstracts and an outline of the purpose 
of the panel of no more than *750 words*.
We are hoping to see fully polished papers this year and as related to 
the conference theme.  However, we will also consider research in 
progress/poster sessions for work that is more generally related to 
digital culture or which might be in earlier stages of development.  Our 
desire for more focussed and complete work is two-fold.  First, in 
engaging the structure as above, we hope to generate a more intensive 
and reflexive discussion about the Internet than might be possible with 
more fragmented approaches.  Second, we intend the conference to be the 
starting point for an edited collection of papers in the area and 
contributors will be invited to submit to a wider call.
This follows in the tradition of previous conferences -- for example, a 
special issue of the journal Information Technology and People entitled 
'Digital Culture: New Forms of Living and Organising , based partly on 
based on the 2010 workshop published in January 2011 (please see 
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0959-3845)
 Abstracts should be submitted to Siân Lincoln at (s.lincoln /at/ ljmu.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(s.lincoln /at/ ljmu.ac.uk)> by *_Wednesday 7_**_^th _**_ March 2012_*. 
Please also email Siân if you require any further information at this stage.
*Important Dates*
Abstract Submission Date: 7 March 2012
Notification of Acceptance: 30^th March 2012
Conference: 13 and 14 June 2012
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