Postgraduate Conference 2019

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“Times of crisis, of disruption or constructive change, are not only predictable, but desirable. They mean growth. Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.”

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Call for papers

To live is to experience disruption. From history to contemporary politics, it continues to shape society. A cornerstone of creativity, disruption breaks the mould, shatters glass ceilings, and radically challenges how we live, work and play. Yet, disruption is often portrayed as negative, painful and unnecessary. From cliché to fundamental component of life, this conference offers an opportunity to explore through research the meaning and impact of one word in both personal and public spheres.

While we invite expansive contributions from all disciplines within the Arts and Humanities and in collaboration across disciplines, the theme should be explored through an Arts & Humanities perspective. We welcome papers on, but not limited to, the following topics:

Climate change Revolution
Political corruption Misinformation
Brexit Democratic rights
Rise of self-publishing Digital technology and story-telling
Diversity in publishing  Rise of the anti-expert
News by algorithm Innovation in journalism
Impact of technology on language Data deluge
Language evolution & adaptation Cognitive functions and language
Technology and the creative process Humanity and technology


Papers should last no more than twenty minutes and will be followed by discussion. Proposals from Undergraduate (final year), Masters, and PhD students are welcome. We also encourage creative practice contributors to submit an abstract for consideration.

Please submit an abstract of no more than two hundred words to stir.pgconference@gmail.com  with “YOUR NAME” and “ABSTRACT” in the subject line by 9am on Monday April 1st 2019.

“Today, we are in the midst of a profound critical juncture for communication.”

 “… critical junctures in media and communication tend to occur when at least two if not all three of the following conditions hold:

  • There is a revolutionary new communication technology that undermines the existing system
  • The content of the media system, especially in journalism, is increasingly discredited or seen as illegitimate; and
  • There is a major political crisis – severe social disequilibrium – in which the existing order is no longer working and there are major movements for social reform.

Robert McChesney, Communication RevolutionCritical Junctures and the Future of Media