CfP: PSA Media and Politics group conference: “Political Reversals and Renewals” Nov 8-9, 2018 @ University of Nottingham (UK). Deadline: June 22, 2018.

Political Studies Association: Media & Politics Group Annual Conference 2018

Political Reversals and Renewals

University of Nottingham: 8-9^th November 2018

 

The theme for this year’s Political Studies Association Media and Politics Group conference is Political Reversals and Renewals.

Recent elections and referenda have thrown up some unexpected results – outside candidates have emerged rapidly to take power, and established politicians have suffered an unexpected decline or increase in support. Traditional institutions such as political parties and trade unions have experienced a revival in membership. Received wisdom on public opinion and political behaviour has been disrupted, not least assumptions about the political engagement of millenials. This conference will explore mediated communication of politics in the context of such instability and insurgency.

We invite papers on any topic related to political reversals or political renewal, which may include but not be limited to:

• Reversals in fortune – the role of media scandals and controversies in declining political support for individuals or parties, or the spread of grassroots support into the mainstream
• Opinion poll upsets and the media obsession with electoral process reporting
• Agenda reversals such as the rise of immigration as an issue across Europe and North America, the emergence of anti-austerity politics, and the declining dominance of the economy as a political / electoral issue.
• U-turns and shifts in discourse as political leaders and media corporations attempt to keep on top of this shifting political landscape.

The Media & Politics Group operates an open and inclusive policy, and papers dealing with the politics of any aspects of media, communication & culture (not only those relating directly to the conference theme) are welcomed.

Proposals for 15-minute papers should include the following: title and name, institutional affiliation and address, and email address, together with a paper title and abstract of not more than 250 words. Proposers should also indicate whether or not they are current postgraduate students. Proposals should be sent by Friday 22 June to Jen Birks at: jennifer.birks@nottingham.ac.uk

 

Full papers (of no more than 2000 words inclusive of references) submitted by postgraduate students may be entered into consideration for the James Thomas Memorial Prize. This annual award is presented to the most outstanding paper by a postgraduate student at the Media & Politics Group Annual Conference. The deadline for submission of these papers to the conference organiser is four weeks before the conference. Only papers presented at the conference will be eligible for consideration for this prize.

The Media & Politics Group offers a limited number of travel subsidies (up to the value of £100) to support postgraduate student participation in this event. Postgraduate students interested in applying for these subsidies should please note this in their submission. These subsidies may only be used towards costs of travel and appropriate receipts must be provided. Subsidies lower than £100 may be offered.