*Apologies for cross-posting. * *Call for Abstract for the Conference: Digital Literacy: Policies, research and good practices. University of Padua, 10th December 2015* Digital media has become ever more pervasive in the social, political, economical and cultural life of every individual, changing the role of the user to become more active in mediation processes. Digital Literacy is the ability to access, analyse, evaluate and produce messages in all the various formats of communication. It is a necessary skill set for living and participating in what is referred to as the “information society”. The term Digital Literacy does not solely refer to technical skills, but also to the various combinations of those skills, and to a broader socio-cultural context. It is, therefore, an important key concept which involves diverse pathways to highlight different cultural and social points of view in contemporary society. The conference will address the issue of digital literacy by focussing on three main areas: (1) Policies that promote the development of these skills; (2) Research on the necessary skills for efficiently engaging in digital environments in an informed manner; (3) Experiences and best practices related to the teaching and strengthening of the skills needed for the critical use of digital resources. We welcome abstracts related to theoretical, methodological and empirical sub-themes such as the following: Research and assessment of Digital Literacy Informal education and Digital Literacy Formal Education and Digital Literacy Digital Literacy paradigm The media industry and Digital Literacy Digital Literacy in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania Digital Literacy policies Digital Literacy and intimacy, sexuality and gender The participatory and educational potential of Digital Literacy Digital Literacy and social inequality Good practices for the development of Digital Literacy ** Guidelines for the presentation of abstracts* * a. Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words, and may be written in either English or Italian (presentations, however, will be made in English). b. Abstract and any other information must be sent as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) c. The first page of the proposal must contain: 1. The full name, title and affiliation of the author/s 2. The email address/es of the author/s 3. A short biography for each author, of no longer than 50 words per each author d. As all accepted abstracts will be printed in the conference program, we advise authors to evaluate their abstracts before submission. Please send proposals to cosimomarco.scarcelli@unipd.it. The deadline for proposals is 4th October 2015. ** When and where the conference will be held ** 10th December 2015 Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology –University of Padua. ** Subscription to the conference ** Attendance to the conference is free of charge but pre-booking is required Kindly confirm your attendance by 1st November 2015, the registration form can be found at http://goo.gl/forms/MBrojO7KYa Registration will open on 5th August 2015. ** Important dates ** 5th August – Registration for the conference opens (http://goo.gl/forms/MBrojO7KYa) 4th October – Deadline for sending in abstracts 11th October – Communication of acceptance/rejection of abstracts 1st November – Last day for registering to attend the conference 3rd November – Publication of definitive program (speakers will be promptly informed) 10th December – Conference The scientific and organisational committee is composed of: Renato Stella – University of Padua Cosimo Marco Scarcelli – University of Padua Claudio Riva – University of Padua Michela Drusian – IUSVE Venice Please contact us for further information at cosimomarco.scarcelli@unipd.it. We look forward to seeing you in Padua on 10th December, and hope you all have a good and relaxing summer break. With kind regards -- Marco Scarcelli PhD Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology University of Padova via Cesarotti, 10/12 35123 Padova (Italy) e-mail: marco.scarcelli@gmail.com, cosimomarco.scarcelli@unipd.it mobile: +39 347 0408094 Skype contact: marscarci