Three-D Issue 29: MeCCSA Conference 2019: Continuity & Change
Alenka Jelen-Sanchez
We are delighted to be hosting the first MeCCSA annual conference in Scotland at the University of Stirling from 9 to 11 January 2019.
The conference theme ‘Continuity & Change – Media, Communications & Politics’ is designed to speak to different academic fields represented within MeCCSA, whilst also speaking to specific anniversaries significant to Stirling/Scotland, including the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. We will bring together academics, practitioners and media and communications professionals to question the role of traditional and digital media and communications in maintaining continuity and advocating for political change.
The topics we will address include: media activism and civic engagement; digital cultures; media in devolved political contexts; media archives and pedagogy; documenting political change; ways of witnessing; crisis and change communications; media representation of marginal groups; ethics, power and responsibility; and cultural histories of film, media and communications education. These themes will be addressed in a range of plenaries, roundtables, panels, screenings, archival visits and exhibitions during the conference.
We have already confirmed three keynote speakers whose work addresses these themes from different perspectives, including Dr Shohini Chaudhuri (University of Essex), Prof Philip Schlesinger (University of Glasgow) and Dr Leshu Torchin (University of St Andrews). In addition, we will host several roundtables on the topics of media and nations in transition; women in media and politics; screen, production and media in Scotland; and ‘poachers and gamekeepers’ – the intersections of journalism and public relations.
The conference will also offer a range of formal and informal social events and networking opportunities related to the conference theme. In a true spirit of Scotland, we will offer delegates whisky and gin tasting as well as visits to the Scottish Parliament and Glasgow Women’s Library.
The conference will be hosted at the picturesque Stirling University campus. The campus sits at the foot of the Wallace Monument, with stunning views of Stirling Castle and the Ochil Hills. Stirling prides itself on blending arts and science and the Division of Communications, Media and Culture has been a major academic centre for the study and research of film, media, communications, and journalism for almost 40 years.
Stirling’s campus is located at the historic heart of Scotland, with convenient links to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the rest of the UK and beyond. Stirling boasts an excellent train service with fast and frequent trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness which connect with the national rail network across the UK. Scotland’s two main international airports Edinburgh and Glasgow are less than an hour away by car. A range of public transport options can link you from the airport to their respective city centres – including taxi, bus or tram – where you can access either train or coach services to Stirling.
Once the capital of Scotland, Stirling is one of the most historically significant Scottish cities known as the “Gateway to the Highlands” and itself a symbol of continuity and change. There are plenty of landmarks to visit in Stirling, including the Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument (in a close proximity to Stirling campus), Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, local breweries, distilleries as well as golf clubs, shops, cafes, restaurants, and iconic pubs.
As always, the annual conference will be a showcase for the best work across the full range of MeCCSA interests, and is also an opportunity to hear about and discuss important topics in both media and HE policy relevant to MeCCSA members. We are very much hoping that you will join us as we reflect on past achievements, current developments and future directions in media, communications and politics and look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful University of Stirling campus!
For any enquiries please contact meccsa2019@stir.ac.uk