The Fourth Annual RUCARR Conference will be held at Malmö University, Sweden, on November 21-22, 2019.
The research platform Russia and the Caucasus Regional Research (RUCARR) is an intellectual hub for scholars at the Faculty of Culture and Society, Malmö University. Established in 2016, RUCARR builds on an established and well-recognized area studies tradition at the University which connects with an extensive research network nationally and internationally.
As the name of the platform, suggests, Russia and the Caucasus are the geographical areas of primary concern. RUCARR’s research deals with political, social, cultural, economic and other dynamics and processes of significance within its geographical delimitations. Areas of interest include, but are not restricted to, contemporary politics, history and nationalism, ethnic and national identity, security issues, democracy and civil society development, authoritarianism and post-authoritarian transition and transformations.
Focus on the role and use of media in Russia and the Caucasus
This year’s conference will approach the region from a variety of disciplines within the social sciences and the humanities through the unifying thematic lens of contemporary mass and social media. In a wide sense this includes more specific topics such as (but not necessarily limited to): the use and abuse of various forms of media in conflict, political competition and cultural production; “fake news”; influences and potentials (positive and negative) of mass and social media (political resistance, social movements, trolls etc.); language and discourse; propaganda and ideology; freedom of expression and press; media as sources of data etc. As usual, however, the organizers are also happy to welcome panels or papers on other topics across RUCARR’s sphere of activities.
Keynote speakers
- Dr. Svetlana Bodrunova, Professor of Political Science, Department of Mass Media Management, Saint Petersburg State University (SPBU): “Runet and connective action: The web that failed indeed?”
- Dr. Maia Mikashavidze, Professor of Media and Journalism at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, Tbilisi: “Youth mobilization on Facebook: No to politics as usual”
The conference is open to papers and panels addressing developments in individual countries or discussing events and processes from a more general point of view concerning the geographical areas of RUCARR’s sphere of activities It welcomes contributions from all over the spectrum of the social sciences and the humanities.
Abstract submission
For individual papers please submit an abstract of 150-400 words (word count not including references) by email. Include title, author(s) affiliation and contact email addresses and submit the abstract to rucarr@mau.se both as a Word document (Unicode fonts) and a pdf file. Language: English.
For panels please provide the name of the suggested chair, an abstract describing the rationale and contents of the panel, and the information requested above for individual papers.
Abstracts for paper and panels will be reviewed by the organizing committee.
Important dates
Deadline for abstract submission: September 9, 2019
Outcome of reviewing process by: September 25, 2019
Deadline for registration and payment: November 1, 2019
Registration
A link to the registration form will be available here.
Conference fee
The participation fee for the two-day conference is 1500 SEK (1250 SEK plus 25% VAT/moms), which includes lunches on November 21-22, dinner on November 21, coffee and refreshments, conference materials. Payment is made at final registration.
Organizing committee
Prof. Bo Petersson, Prof. Karina Vamling, Dr. Katrine Gotfredsen, Dr. Derek Hutcheson, Dr. Christofer Berglund.
Venue
Malmö University campus (close to Malmö Central Station)