CfP DEADLINE: FRIDAY 12 MARCH 2021

Rothermere American Institute

University of Oxford

20-22 April 2021

In the mid-twentieth century two mutually influencing revolutions took place, one technological and one socio-political; the emergence of television and the advent of the civil rights movement both fundamentally altered American society and the wider world. Today, social media and digital technologies are reshaping social relations, while the renewed visibility of white supremacist activism has precipitated a new chapter in the long struggle for racial equality. This conference will put the study of the past in conversation with current debates about media, technology, and race.

The first day of the conference is dedicated to research development workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on in-progress work and meet scholars researching similar topics across a range of disciplines. Abstracts may consider issues of race and ethnicity across news, entertainment, and social media. We welcome proposals from those researching throughout the humanities and social sciences, artists, media practitioners, activists and community members considering the following questions:

• How does the media frame issues of racial inequity?
• How is racial identity enacted through media?
• How have racial hierarchies shaped the evolution of media industries?
• How have different forms of media been used to amplify racist ideas or taken up to disrupt racial hierarchies?
• What role does the media play in anti-racist activism?
• How can the historical relationship between race and media inform current debates?

Abstracts should introduce in-progress work such as an article, research proposal, artistic output,grant applications, public outreach initiatives etc. Abstracts should not exceed 250 words. Participants will be asked to extend their abstracts into a short paper or project summary of maximum 3,000 words in time for the workshop on 20 April 2021. All submissions should include the applicant’s name(s), institutional affiliation, email address, a short biographical profile, and a list of five research keywords. Please send abstracts and/or questions to

raceandmediaconference@gmail.com.

The conference is committed to highlighting the work of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Preference will be given to panels that reflect this commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Follow @RaceMediaConf on Twitter for updates.

Organising committee: Sage Goodwin (sage.goodwin@history.ox.ac.uk); Cindy Ma (cindy.ma@oii.ox.ac.uk).