[ecrea] CfA Power Geometries of/in Motion, Karlstad University

-- CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ---


POWER GEOMETRIES OF/IN MOTION
An International Symposium on (Im)Mobilities, New Media and Social 
Distinction

December 5 and 6, 2013

Venue: Karlstad University, Sweden

As indicated by much research over the last few decades, power 
geometries of space and place have become increasingly mobile, fluid and 
mediatized. Such concepts as network capital, mobility capital and 
cosmopolitan capital all point to the socially distinctive, and 
increasingly complex, role of mobility and media practices, as well as 
to the contestation of modern demarcations, ranging from domestic 
territories and the private sphere to the nation state. The amalgamation 
of mobile (trans)media technologies and infrastructures with virtually 
all forms of mobility today (from corporeal habits of exercise and 
strolling to global migration and mass tourism) sustains new modes of 
connectivity and expressivity, which potentially set power geometries in 
motion.

The symposium focuses on power-geometries of/in motion, that is, the 
dialectics of “spaces of flows” and “spaces of places”, and new media as 
a key dimension of social distinction in our times. The symposium will 
scrutinize these dynamics in an interdisciplinary manner, in order to 
get a sense of how power, privilege and forms of socio-cultural 
dominance today are played out through mobilities/mediations at 
different scales and in various contexts, ranging from the 
classified/classifying spatialities of everyday interaction to the 
global distribution of technological wealth. In particular, we seek 
deeper, situated understandings of the interplay between micro-processes 
of social distinction and the (re)production of global power geometries.

The symposium includes two plenary sessions (four plenary talks) and two 
paper sessions. The paper sessions give space for altogether six 
presentations followed by discussion. Senior researchers and PhD 
students are encouraged to submit abstracts of 200-250 words for 
consideration. The proposals are expected to deal with topics related to 
the problem area outlined above, and will be evaluated by the organizing 
committee according to quality and relevance. The symposium also 
welcomes an interested audience (up to 40 attendants). The symposium is 
free of charge for all participants and includes refreshments and 
lunches. Registration is mandatory for all participants (for information 
on how to register see below).


PLENARY TALKS:

Felix Bühlmann, University of Lausanne, Switzerland: "Cosmopolitan 
Capital and the Internationalization of the Field of Business Elites"

Jörg Dürrschmidt, TU Darmstadt, Germany: "The Irresolvable Unease about 
Be-longing: Exploring Globalized Dynamics of Homecoming"

Setargew Kenaw, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia: "Fast-Loose Space: 
Expressions of Control Over ICT"

Tanja Thomas, University of Bremen, Germany: "Cosmopolitan Solidarity in 
Media Cultures"


TIME AND PLACE:

The symposium begins with registration and lunch (included) at 12.00 on 
Thursday the 5th of December and ends with lunch (included) on Friday 
the 6th. The symposium takes place in the Ljungberg Auditorium (“the 
Egg”) in Building 21, Karlstad University Campus. Lunches and 
refreshments are served adjacent to the auditorium.


ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION:

1 November: Deadline for abstract submissions – send your abstract to 
Associate Prof. Mekonnen Tesfahuney: (mete /at/ kau.se)
15 November: Notification of acceptance from symposium organizers
22 November: Final day of registration for all participants – register 
via this link: www.powergeometriesdec2013.axaco.se
The registration site also contains information about accommodation in 
Karlstad.
Further questions can be directed to Prof. André Jansson 
((andre.jansson /at/ kau.se)) or Associate Prof. Mekonnen Tesfahuney ((mete /at/ kau.se) )


ORGANIZERS:

Power Geometries of/in Motion is part of the ongoing research project 
Kinetic Élites: The Mediatization of Social Belonging and Close 
Relationships among Mobile Class Fractions (funded by the Swedish 
Research Council) and organized in collaboration with the research group 
Spaces and Mobilities in a Mediatized World at the Department of 
Geography, Media and Communication, Karlstad University, Sweden. The 
organizing committee consists of André Jansson (Karlstad University), 
Mekonnen Tesfahuney (Karlstad University), Miyase Christensen (Stockholm 
University), Karin Fast (Karlstad University) and Jenny Jansdotter 
(Karlstad University).



---------------
ECREA-Mailing list
---------------
This mailing list is a free service from ECREA and Nico Carpentier.
--
To subscribe, post or unsubscribe, please visit
http://www.ecrea.eu/mailinglist
--
ECREA - European Communication Research and Education Association
--
Postal address:
ECREA
Chauss�de Waterloo 1151
1180 Uccle
Belgium
--
Email: (info /at/ ecrea.eu)
URL: http://www.ecrea.eu
---------------