*The following conference might be of interest to Internet Studies scholars examining journalism and social media. Please share widely.* *Centre for Ecological, Social, and Informatics Cognitive Research (ESI.CORE)* Inaugural International Conference *Moving Forward: Where is the Journalist in Social Media?* *SpringHill Suites Downtown Denver Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado USAJune 23-24, 2017* *Call for Papers:* In the current political climate, the constructions of celebrity leaders and popular forms of mediated truths, especially with the recent "fake" internet news, have raised questions about journalism. Tabloid and other forms of popular journalism use narrative devices of gossip, rumor and scandals while many news media have abandoned facts and intelligent analysis in favor of spectacular outrage and incivility, both situations acting as testaments to the lack of informed opinions. Although scholars and journalists work together during news reporting, investigations/documentaries, and on other issues that are covered by news media, scholars are often confined to academic research and disconnected from the realities faced by journalists. Can citizen journalists and journalism scholars help move forward with progressive research and practice? What are the qualifications and definitions of a ‘journalist?’ Is this someone who is employed professionally - or someone who has received an academic certification (degree) to be qualified? Or can anyone today be a journalist? Citizen participation has been seen as essential in the democratic processes of production, distribution, and reception of news. Online participatory media such as blogs, comments and videos offer a democratic platform for the expression of alternative ideas that may otherwise be filtered by traditional journalism. Yet, citizen journalists need critical media literacy that is often lost in the lure of visibility. How can journalism scholars creatively and critically engage citizen journalists in the dissemination of their research, informed opinions and cultural productions? The Centre for Ecological, Social, and Informatics Cognitive Research (ESI.CORE), in association with sponsors Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) and WaterHill Publishing, invites academics, journalists, publicists, producers and guests to attend, speak and collaborate at the inaugural international conference Moving Forward: Where is the Journalist in Social Media? Join us in Denver, Colorado where the conference will uniquely combine vibrant roundtable and media workshop panels in a collaborative network. The format of the conference aims at being open and inclusive ranging from interdisciplinary academic scholars to practitioners involved in all areas of print, broadcast and online journalism. Working papers and media productions will be considered for the conference. Extended versions of selected best papers will be published in an edited book. *Registration includes*: Your printed package for the complete conference, professional development workshops, coffee / tea breaks, access to evening receptions, complimentary evening drinks, consideration for publication. *Submission guidelines:* - 250-word abstract or workshop / roundtable proposal - Include a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable - Submit to conference Chair Dr William Huddy at email address: submit@esi.core.org - Deadline for abstract submission: *February 15, 2017* - Notification of acceptance:* March 15, 2017* - Early bird registration deadline: *April 30, 2017* - Full registration deadline*: May 30, 2017* - Conference reception and presentations: *June 23-24, 2017* *Topics include but are not limited to:* - Communication - Media - Journalism - Photojournalism - Television and Radio - Social Media - Informed Opinions - Infomercials - Advertisement - Publicity and Promotion - News - Interviews - Audience - Race - Gender - Environment and species - Class - Fiction - Genre - Biography - Theory and Methods - Ethics and Morality - Cognition - Media Literacy - Education and Advocacy - International Relations - Business and Community Partnerships *Conference Web Page*: www.esicore.org/events/denver2017.html *Conference Twitter *@esicore #MF2017 *Committee Members*: Josh Nathan and Ngoma Evelyn Moghalu *Conference Chair: *Dr William Huddy Dr. William Huddy earned his Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Denver (2012). Prior to academia, Huddy worked as a journalist and anchored television newscasts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, El Paso, Texas, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Fort Myers, Florida. He’s a Past-President (2007) of the Rocky Mountain Communication Association, and an active member of the National Communication Association since 2001. He teaches Political and Campaign Communication, Communication Research and Theory Building, Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking at Metropolitan State University of Denver (since 2013), with a research focus on student engagement and communication activism. His most recent publication came from the Sept. 2-3, 2015 Center for Media and Celebrity Studies Conference presentation of his paper, “Corporate Colonization and the Myth of Authentic Journalism.”