Hello AoIRists, This year at the 2019 AoIR conference, we are once again encouraging attendees to gather together to discuss areas of shared interest. These meetings are referred to as ‘Birds of a Feather’, because they, well, flock together. While these meetings are not formally organised by the Conference Committee, we encourage AoIR members to post ideas on potential areas of interest, research, and projects to the AoIR mailing-list to seek interest from other members and conference attendees. Ideally, areas of interest will flock organically and in an inclusive manner, so please don’t be afraid to nominate your idea (and yourself!) for one of these sessions. The conference program this year leaves your time free on the Thursday evening, and if you opt out of our expertly crafted social outings, you might also consider flocking together on Friday evening. We think the best way to gather is in a social setting in one of the amazing spaces located around Brisbane’s city centre. Below is a list of places we think suit the Birds of a Feather concept very well, but please do get in touch if you require specific kinds of locations and/or resources. And if you’re gathering together as a large group, do make sure to book a table or room at your venue ahead of time, to make sure there’s enough space. On Brisbane’s South Bank, just across the river from QUT, you’ll find bars and cafes around Stanley St Plaza: https://www.eatsouthbank.com.au/dining-guide/precincts/stanley-street-plaza/, and more cafes and restaurants on Little Stanley St: https://www.eatsouthbank.com.au/dining-guide/precincts/little-stanley-street... At Howard Smith Wharves, under the Story Bridge, various new pubs, bars, and restaurants have opened recently: https://howardsmithwharves.com/ In Fish Lane, South Brisbane, there are various quirky bars and restaurants: https://explorefishlane.com.au/ On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, we wish you all the best with organising the next iteration of engaging discussions and thought provocations! Regards Jonathon Hutchinson 2019 AoIR Program Chair DR JONATHON HUTCHINSON | Lecturer Online Communication and Media Department of Media and Communication | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences HDR Coordinator Treasurer of Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA) Secretary of International Association of Public Media Research (IAMPR) Programme Chair of 2019 Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Rm N233, John Woolley Building (A20) | The University of Sydney | NSW | 2006 T +61 2 9351 2821 | F +61 2 9351 2434 | M +61 421 178 971 E jonathon.hutchinson@sydney.edu.au<mailto:jonathon.hutchinson@sydney.edu.au> | W sydney.edu.au<http://sydney.edu.au> | W jonathonhutchinson.com.au<http://www.jonathonhutchinson.com.au/>