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Interactive media faculty search
by Rivka Ribak 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

The Department of Communication at the University of Haifa invites applications from outstanding candidates for an open-rank position in the field of interactive media.* The Department of Communication currently offers single and double major B.A. programs in theoretical communication studies, a research M.A. and Ph.D. programs, as well as a M.A. in strategic communications. Faculty in the department study and teach the meanings and effects of communication in an age of evolving technologies and cultures, using a variety of methodological approaches. We seek applicants whose research addresses the contemporary media landscape, with an emphasis upon interactive media broadly defined (e.g., social media, gaming, big data). Preference will be given to candidates that have completed a post-doctorate and can teach both theoretical and applied courses in interactive media, and hence practical experience in the field will be considered an advantage. Only candidates that are expected to have completed their Ph.D. by October 2015 will be considered. While a Ph.D. in communication is preferred, excellent candidates in related fields will also be considered. The language of instruction at the University of Haifa is Hebrew, but a period of adjustment is an option. Applications should be submitted by email no later than October 7, 2014 to: Prof. Yariv Tsfati, (ytsfati(a)com.haifa.ac.il ) with the heading "Interactive Media Faculty Search" and should include the following documents: 1) A complete curriculum vitae, including an academic biography that describes the candidate's current research interests and future research plan; 2) A brief description of three potential courses in the field of interactive media; 3) A list of three references. (Please do not send letters until requested by the committee.); 4) Copies of selected recent publications. Applicants will be informed by October 30, 2014 as to the status of their submission. Candidates who qualify can expect a final decision by the end of January. The appointment will begin on October 1, 2015. * Pending funding. Rivka Ribak, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Communication University of Haifa, Israel, 31905 Phone: +972-4-8249602 Fax: +972-4-8249120 <http://com.haifa.ac.il/~rribak/> http://com.haifa.ac.il/~rribak/

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MA in International Relations and Global Communication (with focus on the Internet and digital media)
by Adi Kuntsman 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

Dear AoiRs, This migbht be of interest to some of your students - please bring it to their attention Places available on the new MA programme in International Relations and Global Communicaitons which will start at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) this Autumn Course details are here http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/2014/12261/ ***************** This programme combines the study of contemporary international relations with that of key developments in global communications and ICTs. In so doing it adds an extra dimension to the study of international relations which provides graduates with deeper insights and a wider range of knowledge and skills than those doing traditional MAs in International Relations. We live in a communications-saturated world where 24-hour news coverage, access to the internet and the use of social media have become the norm for millions of people. Global events are instantly reported by the news media and analysed and interpreted by them and millions of ordinary citizens. These developments challenge the traditionally secretive practices of international diplomacy and the ability of governments to control information whilst also creating powerful new tools for propaganda; they enhance the importance of cultural or `soft’ power in international relations and they have also transformed the nature of warfare. The objective of this exciting new programme is to equip students with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary international relations and key developments in ICTs and of the impact of the latter upon the former along with the skills to analyse those developments effectively. --- Dr. Adi Kuntsman Lecturer in Information and Communications Manchester Metropolitan University Geoffrey Manton, Room 437 Rosamond Street West, Manchester M15 6LL http://adi.kuntsman.googlepages.com

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Symposium: Streets to Screens, Goldsmiths, 7 November 2014
by Holly Steel 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

Dear All, Colleagues may be interested in a symposium run by the Department of Sociology at the University of York and the Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy at Goldsmiths, University of London, on mediating conflict through digital networks. Apologies for cross-posting. *Streets to Screens: Mediating Conflict Through Digital Networks* *7th November 2014* *Professor Stuart Hall Building, LG01* *Goldsmiths, University of London* >From Gaza to Ukraine, Afghanistan to Syria, social media is being used by people within conflict zones to organise, document and communicate their lives and struggles from the streets to our screens. As these pieces of content travel through time and space, they come into contact with various actors – from activists, to NGOs, news agencies, and global audiences – who attempt to claim purchase on the narrative of those events as they unfold. Over the course of the last decade, we have seen the emergence of forms of reportage that seek to navigate the diverse and fractured media ecology. These mediations are said to challenge the ways in which the mainstream media cover conflicts and global publics are invited to bear witness. This one-day symposium will explore a number of key issues in mediating conflicts today, and will address some of the following questions: - What role do networked eyewitnesses, activists and citizen journalists play in conflict communication today? - What are the challenges faced by those mediating conflict online? - In what ways are social media content produced within the zone of conflict shaping the coverage produced by news organisations? - What are the implications of these forms of reportage for eyewitnesses, activists, citizen journalists, perpetrators, NGOs, journalists, news media, audiences and global publics? Speakers Include Stuart Allan, *Cardiff University* Malachy Browne, *Storyful* Lilie Chouliaraki, *LSE* Andrew Hoskins, *University of Glasgow* Ben O'Loughlin, *Royal Holloway* Sam Gregory, *WITNESS* Liam Stack, *New York Times* Claire Wardle, *UNHCR* And many more! Tickets are FREE but registration is required. For more information please visit: http://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/about/news-and-events/department/2014/stree… *For more information, please contact Holly Steel at has502(a)york.ac.uk <has502(a)york.ac.uk>* -- Holly Steel Doctoral Researcher Department of Sociology University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD Tel: 01904 323578

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Handbook on Mediatization of Communication
by Knut Lundby 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

The handbook on Mediatization of Communication is out, edited by Knut Lundby. Several chapters are of great relevance to Internet scholars. The volume offers 31 contributions in 738 pages by leading media and communication scholars from the humanities and social sciences, with different approaches to mediatization of communication. The chapters span from how mediatization meets climate change and contribute to globalization to questions on life and death in mediatized settings.The book deals with mass media as well as communication with networked, digital media. See table of contents under "Supplementary information" here: http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/180158?format=G The book is vol. 21 of the Handbooks of Communication Science (HoCS) published by De Gruyter Mouton. It is available in hardcover and as eBook in pdf and epub formats. See the link above.

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CFP: Closed Systems / Open Worlds ( extended deadline: Sept. 15, 2014)
by Jeremy hunsinger 19 Aug '14

19 Aug '14

Closed Systems / Open Worlds ( extended deadline: Sept. 15, 2014) Contact: ClosedandOpenBook(a)gmail.com Deadline for précis: 15 September 2014 Edited by: Jeremy Hunsinger (Wilfrid Laurier University), Jason Nolan (Ryerson University) & Melanie McBride (York University) This book will consist of explorations at the boundaries of virtual worlds as enclosed but encouraging spaces for exploration, learning, and enculturation. Game/worlds like Second Life, OpenSim, Minecraft, and Cloud Party are providing spaces for the construction of alternatives and reimaginings, though frequently they end up more as reproductions. We seek to challenge those spaces and their creativities and imaginings. These worlds exist as both code and conduct. Code is a modulating multiple signifier, in that the interpreters of the code vary from human to machine and that our understanding of the signifier changes the worldliness in itself. The conduct of both participants and administrators of these spaces influences how they flourish and then fade. As such the worlds and their anima/animus are socially constructed fictions where authors/creators/users, both above and below the actions are sometimes in concert, yet often in conflict with the space and intentions of the originators. This book seeks critically engaged scholars who want to risk the possibility of change in the face of closed systems. We are looking for critical or speculative essays that must be theoretically, empirically and/or contextually grounded chapters of 5000-6500 words plus apparatus. Doctoral students and non-tenure faculty members will be afforded blind peer review upon request. We are aiming for 12 -14 chapters that define the boundaries and thus likely futures of research on virtual worlds. Dates Sept. 15, 2014 – 250 word précis with 5-10 key references Sept. 30, 2014 – accept/reject proposals Feb 1, 2015 – final draft due July 1, 2015 – feedback from reviewers September 1, 2015 – final version December 1, 2015 – in press Queries and submissions: ClosedandOpenBook(a)gmail.com Topics may include: • alternative and minor game/virtual/etc. worlds • archeologies/genealogies of virtuality • augmented and mixed-reality worlds • distributed cognitions • early explorations in virtual learning environments • the freedom of limitations • identity construction and/or identity tourism • the limits of simulation and emulation • memories and forgetting in virtual worlds • multisensory virtual environments • multisensory exclusions in virtual worlds • narratival and post-narratival andragogies, ‘learning worlds’ • negative spaces as learning spaces (bullying, trolling, flaming, etc.) in virtual worlds • non-social virtual worlds (dwarf fortress, some forms of minecraft, etc.) • real world virtual worlds and boundaries (Lego, Hello Kitty, WebKinz, etc.) • replication of real world environments/problems • surrealism, unrealism and constructable alterities of/within virtual worlds • transformative virtual classroom • vapourware and virtuality • the virtuality of learning -- jeremy hunsinger Director of Cultural Studies Assistant Professor Communication Studies Wilfrid Laurier University www.tmttlt.com () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.stswiki.org/ sts wiki http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. -Pablo Picasso

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Book announcement: Introduction to Game Analysis
by Clara Fernandez-Vara 19 Aug '14

19 Aug '14

Dear all, If you'll excuse the self-promoting email, I'd like to announce that my book Introduction to Game Analysis is now for sale at your usual outlets. Its goal is to introduce students and scholars new to game studies to the building blocks of games and the various approaches that one can follow to write an analysis. For those of you who teach in academic institutions, there are review copies available - just click on the title of the book below. If you end up using it in class, I would love to hear from you. Thank you all! Clara Fernandez-Vara Out Now: Introduction to Game Analysis <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHIWweLaDrWeYSHWatcrb> Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/q/121TGhkDbSoaXQXbA7K3/wv> | Add to safe senders <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/n/1c8p4l3w6cZo7> | Forward to a Friend <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/f/134PYVgPOwWyoLSee96e> [image: Routledge] <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHJZsxp6Q4ANmjCRd7dNm> *Introduction to Game Analysis* <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHL2oQ332HflJKxMfLf9x>By *Clara Fernández-Vara* *Introduction to Game Analysis* <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHM5l8GZfjTU7bsHipgvI> serves as an accessible guide to analyzing games using strategies borrowed from textual analysis. Clara Fernández-Vara’s concise primer provides instruction on the basic building blocks of game analysis—examination of context, content and reception, and formal qualities—as well as the vocabulary necessary for talking about videogames' distinguishing characteristics. Examples are drawn from a range of games, both digital and non-digital—from *Bioshock * and *World of Warcraft *to Monopoly—and the book provides a variety of exercises and sample analyses, as well as a comprehensive ludography and glossary.. Best, *Routledge Marketing* *"As video games become increasingly important in our lives, the need for a guide towards a deeper understanding of games as media experiences has never been greater. Introduction to Game Analysis accomplishes this task brimming with depth, precision, and heart."*--Mikael Jakobsson, Comparative Media Studies & MIT Game Lab *"With this volume, the field of game studies now has a thoughtful and comprehensive approach for how to engage in meaningful critique of digital games. Fernández-Vara offers a multitude of theoretical and analytical building blocks and frameworks to help writers produce well-honed critiques of games as well as the social, cultural and technical contexts that surround them."*--Mia Consalvo, Concordia University *Check out our latest catalog...* <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHN8hrkVrWysuCnCl3hRT> ------------------------------ *[image: Like us on Facebook]* <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHObdJYREzd0S3ixnHje4> [image: follow us on Twitter] <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHQh6lgK3Ow7CV8nsZlWq> *[image: Join us on LinkedIn]* <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/o/1OV5uGhVDgHpk?mini=true&url=%24AMF_PERMALINK%24…> <http://tandf.msgfocus.com/c/114yHRk2DUGgraG0m3ivDniB>[image: Taylor & Francis - Routledge - Psychology Press - CRC Press - Focal Press] Copyright 2014 Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JH. We respect your privacy and will not disclose, rent or sell your email address to any outside organizations.

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Professionalization Website
by Jonathan Sterne, Dr. 19 Aug '14

19 Aug '14

Dear Colleagues, Apologies for crossposting. Since 1999, I have maintained a collection of web pages that provides links to useful resources for people on the academic job market in communication studies, though others in critical humanities fields may find the materials useful as well. In recent years, I have added material on other aspects of professional life and will continue to do so. You can find it at: http://sterneworks.org/Academe New this year: links on disability and the PhD, peer review ethics, and campus rape culture. I am always looking for good suggestions for material to add to the site, and as you'll see, I have used it to archive some material that has been circulated in other fora. If you have a suggestion for a link or a document worth archiving, or a correction to a typo or missing or expired link, please email me at jonathan.sterne(a)mcgill.ca<mailto:jonathan.sterne@mcgill.ca>. Please note that I do not post or keep track of job ads, nor am I interested in promoting commercial services or people's websites. I intend to continue building the site, so suggestions for other areas to cover would be appreciated. Thanks for reading. Sincerely, --Jonathan -- Jonathan Sterne Professor and James McGill Chair in Culture and Technology Acting Director, Media@McGill (2014-15) Department of Art History and Communication Studies McGill University http://sterneworks.org | http://media.mcgill.ca | http://mcgill.ca/ahcs MP3: The Meaning of a Format<http://www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ViewProduct.php?productid=47544>

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Survey Research Being Collected on Second Life Avatar Usage
by Dr. Pam Kirk 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

My graduate student is collecting data for a new study about avatar usage in Second Life. If you use this virtual world software and would like to participate in the approximately 10-minute survey, please click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/marxweber Thanks for helping a fellow educator and researcher! Pam Hunt Kirk (professor) & Danny V. Sherman (graduate student) University of West Georgia -- ____________ Pam Hunt Kirk, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Sociology University of West Georgia

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2014 ASIS&T SIG-USE Symposium - Context in Information Behavior Research: Call for Participation
by Lu Xiao 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Sorry for cross-posting. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION All the interested researchers, graduate students, and information professionals are invited to submit a proposal for a short presentation (i.e., approximately 5-8 minutes in the form of lightning talks). Proposals for lightning talks should be one to two pages long (500-1000 words) and outline the topic and themes that will be addressed during the talk. Proposed topics must be relevant to the Symposium theme - "Context in information behavior research" (See below). ABOUT THE 2014 SIG-USE SYMPOSIUM: Theme: "Context in Information Behavior Research" Date: November 1, 2014 (Saturday) Time: 1:30 to 6:30 pm Location: Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle, WA, USA The importance of context in human information behavior research has been well established. Nonetheless, it has been observed that although contextual aspects are included in most research, they tend to serve as the backdrop of a study, and not as its focus. Stronger emphasis on context will enhance our understanding of information behavior. The purpose of this symposium is to explore the role and impact of context, aiming to advance scholarship and knowledge concerning this key component of information behavior research. This symposium will focus on themes including, but not limited to: • Conceptual and theoretical aspects: Focusing on the conceptual and theoretical understanding of context in information behavior research, papers may explore questions such as the following: What does “context” really mean? What is the nature of context in the research frameworks of information behavior studies (e.g., as the background/setting, the explanatory factor, the manipulation condition, or the outcome variable of a research study)? How are relationships between individuals, groups, and contexts surrounding the information behavior conceptualized? To what extent and in what way do variables representing features at broader levels of aggregation (e.g., group level, organizational level, societal level) affect the information behavior of an individual? What philosophical and theoretical perspectives and frameworks can be used to study contexts? • Methodological aspects: From the research method perspective, papers may examine issues such as: What factors need to be considered when selecting methods and/or instruments for studies of various contexts? What are the methodological challenges and opportunities of studying information behavior in a particular context? • Context-related research: With strong focus on contexts, papers may probe questions such as: What is the typical information behavior in a particular context? How different is the information behavior in one context from the other? How does the context factor interact with other factors (e.g., user characteristics)? • Meta-analysis of context-related research: Context-related research may be analyzed to explore questions such as: What kinds of research have been done in relation to contexts? How do different aspects of context impact different LIS areas (e.g., information literacy, design of information systems/services, etc.) and in what way? Submission guidelines for Lightning talk proposals: - Author’s name, title, and institutional affiliation should be included at the top of the proposal. - Proposal text must be 500-1000 words. - Submission should be in pdf or doc format. The file should be named as ‘2014_SIGUSEsympo_FirstAuthor'sLastName". - Submission should be done by sending your draft to sigusesym2014(a)gmail.com (Subject: SIGUSE_FirstAuthor’sLastname). A proposal should be submitted by midnight Hawaii Time on September 1, 2014. - Accepted submissions will be made available through the public SIG-USE website both before and after the Symposium. - Accepted submissions may be invited for publication in the next volume of the SIG USE/ASIS&T Monograph Series. - If there are still open spaces available, the symposium will be open to ASIS&T attendees who do not have a Lightning talk. Registration is still required. IMPORTANT DATES: September 1, 2014: Submission due date for extended abstracts or position papers September 20, 2014: Notification of acceptance October 25, 2014: Submission due date for Lightning talk slides REGISTRATION FEES: * SIG-USE Members: $90 * ASIS&T (but not SIG-USE) Members: $100 * Non-Members: $120 The registration fee will cover workshop costs, wireless Internet access, and coffee breaks. WORKSHOP PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Lu Xiao (Co-Chair), University of Western Ontario K.-Sun Kim (Co-Chair), University of Wisconsin-Madison Nicole Cooke, University of Illinois Nicole Gaston, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Amelia Gibson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sei-Ching Joanna Sin, Nanyang Technological University Sue Yeon Syn, Catholic University of America Pertti Vakkari, University of Tampere For more information about SIG-USE: http://siguse.wordpress.com/ Please forward any questions that you have to Lu Xiao (lxiao24(a)uwo.ca) or K.-Sun "Sunny" Kim (kskim(a)slis.wisc.edu) Lu Xiao & K.-Sun Kim 2014 ASIS&T SIG-USE Symposium Co-chairs Lu Xiao Assistant Professor Faculty of Information & Media Studies, Department of Computer Science University of Western Ontario London, Canada http://hii.fims.uwo.ca Recent JASIST publications: The Effects of Rationale Awareness in Iterative Human Computation Processes <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/asi.23079/abstract> What Influences Online Deliberation? A Wikipedia Study <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/asi.23004/abstract>

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Final reminder: CFP - Entanglements: Activism and Technology (Fibreculture Journal)
by Jean Burgess 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Call For Papers- June 2014_Entanglements: Activism and Technology<http://fibreculturejournal.org/files/2014/06/FCJ_CFP2014_Entanglements.pdf> (PDF) http://fibreculturejournal.org/ http://fibreculturejournal.org/cfp_entanglements/ —- Please note that for this issue, initial submissions should be abstracts only Issue Editors: Pip Shea, Tanya Notley and Jean Burgess Abstract deadline: August 20 2014 (no late abstracts will be accepted) Article deadline: November 3 2014 Publication aimed for: February 2015 all contributors and editors must read the guidelines at: http://fibreculturejournal.org/policy-and-style/ before working with the Fibreculture Journal Email correspondence for this issue: p.shea(a)qub.ac.uk <mailto:p.shea@qub.ac.uk> This themed issue explores the entanglements that arise due to frictions between the philosophies embedded within technologies and the philosophies embedded within activism. Straightforward solutions are rarely on offer as the bringing together of different philosophies requires the negotiation of acceptance, compromise, or submission (Tsing 2004). This friction can be disruptive, productive, or both, and it may contribute discord or harmony. In this special issue, we seek submissions that respond to the idea that frictions between technologies and activists may ultimately enhance the ability of activists to take more control of their projects, create new ethical spaces and subvert technologies, just as it may also result in tension, conflict and hostility. By dwelling in between and within these frictions and entanglements – through strategic and tactical media discourses as well as the very concept of an activist politics within technology – this special issue will elucidate the context-specific nature, constraints and possibilities of the digital environments that are co-habited by activists from proximate fields including social movements, human rights, ecological and green movements, international development, community arts and cultural development. Past issues of the Fibreculture Journal have examined activist philosophies from angles such as social justice and networked organisational forms, communication rights and net neutrality debates, and the push back against precarious new media labour. Our issue extends this work by revealing the conflicting debates that surround activist philosophies of technology. Submissions are sought that engage specifically with the ethics, rationales and methods adopted by activists to justify selecting, building, using, promoting or rejecting specific technologies. We also encourage work that considers the ways in which these negotiations speak to broader mythologies and tensions embedded within digital culture – between openness and control; political consistency and popular appeal; appropriateness, usability and availability. We invite responses to these provocations from activists, practitioners and academics. Critiques, case studies, and multimedia proposals will be considered for inclusion. Submissions should explore both constraints and possibilities caused by activism and its digital technology entanglements through the following themes: * Alternative technology versus appropriate technology * Pragmatism and technology choice * The philosophies and practices of hacking technologies * Activist cultures and the proprietary web * Digital privacy and security breaches and errors * Uncovering and exposing technology vulnerabilities * Technology and e-waste * The philosophies of long/short term impact * Authenticity and evidence Initial submissions should comprise 300 word abstracts and 60 word biographies, emailed to p.shea(a)qub.ac.uk<mailto:p.shea@qub.ac.uk> and t.notley(a)uws.edu.au<mailto:t.notley@uws.edu.au> References: Tsing, A. 2005 Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection. Princeton: Princeton University Press. The Fibreculture Journal (http://fibreculturejournal.org/) is a peer reviewed international journal, associated with Open Humanities Press (http://openhumanitiespress.org/) that explores critical and speculative interventions in the debate and discussions concerning information and communication technologies and their policy frameworks, network cultures and their informational logic, new media forms and their deployment, and the possibilities of socio-technical invention and sustainability.

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