*** apologies for cross posting *** Dear all Please be informed that we still have a few slots available on the following call. Thanks Massimo *Call for papers* *Mapping New Perspectives and Debates on Digital Divide in Africa* *IAMCR pre-conference* Social media platforms are being considered new podiums for political transformation as political dictatorships supposedly convert to overnight democracies as more and more people are not only able to gain access to information but also gather and disseminate news from a perspective of their own. When looking at the situation in several sub-Saharan African countries, it becomes clear there are several challenges standing in the way of social media and its palpable yet considerably constrained ability to influence political and social changes. Access to the Internet or lack of it thereof, is a recognized social stratification causing “digital divide” thanks to existing inequalities within African and several other societies throughout the world. Despite issues associated with the digital divide, mobile telephony is growing on the continent and the rise of smartphones has given citizens easy access to social networking sites. But the digital divide, which mostly reflects on one’s race, gender, socioeconomic status or geographical location, stands in the way of digital progress. What opportunities are available to tame digital disparities? How are different societies in Africa handling digital problems? What innovative methods are being used to provide citizens with access to critical information that can help improve their lives? This call will be seeking original contributions focusing on experiences from various locations in several sub-Saharan African countries with the aim of providing an updated, critical account on the digital divide and its impact in Africa. We seek theoretical and empirical contributions exploring these or any related themes: -Defining and redefining digital divide with specific reference to Africa and its Diaspora -Theoretical interpretations of the concept - Exploring the Afro-centered relationships between digital divide and digital inequalities -Differences between the first, second and third levels of digital divide -Protest cultures in Africa and how they have fallen prey to digital divide All submissions will be considered for inclusion in an edited collection and a special journal edition that we are currently putting together. Please send your abstracts or any enquiries to mutsvairo.bruce@uts.edu.au or massimo.ragnedda@northumbria.ac.uk • Abstracts due: May 15 2017 (In English only please) • Decisions on proposals: May 20, 2017 • Paper drafts: July 10, 2017 *Location* The pre-conference will take place at the Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores on saturday July 15, from 9:00 am. Calle 31 No. 19 - 51 Barrio Pie de la Popa (Cartagena) * Conveners * *Bruce Mutsvairo is an Associate Professor in Journalism Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney. His two latest books (Palgrave, 2016) are Digital Activism in the Social Media Era: Critical Reflections on Emerging Trends in sub-Saharan Africa and Perspectives on Participatory Politics and Citizen Journalism in a Networked Africa: A Connected Continent.* *Massimo Ragnedda is a Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication at Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK where he conducts research on the digital divide and social media. He has authored seven books with his publications appearing in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and book chapters in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. His books include: Theorizing the Digital Divide (co-edited with G Muschert), Routledge (forthcoming); The third Digital Divide: a Weberian approach to Digital Inequalities (2017), Routledge; The Digital Divide: The Internet and Social Inequality in International Perspective (co-edited with G Muschert) (2013), Routledge. * -- Massimo Ragnedda Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication Northumbria University (Newcastle, UK) mragnedda.wordpress.com skype: massimo.ragnedda http://northumbria.academia.edu/MassimoRagnedda Connect with me on *Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook*