Bishop’s University – Theorizing Digital Media Conference

The Department of Sociology at Bishop’s University is pleased to announce the “Theorizing Digital Media” conference, which will take place on October 4-5, 2024, at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. This event is organized by Dr. Steve Cole and Dr. Alex Miltsov and features a Keynote Address by Dr. Anabel Quan-Haase (Western University).

About the Conference

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has dramatically transformed various aspects of contemporary life. From the widespread use of messaging apps and short-video platforms to the proliferation of AI-powered applications, these innovations have significant social, cultural, and economic implications. This event aims to delve into these impacts, fostering a comprehensive understanding through scholarly discourse.

This multidisciplinary conference seeks to bring together social scientists and humanities scholars in a meaningful dialogue to discuss and theorize the diverse effects of digital media on society. We strive to develop new theoretical frameworks and methodologies for studying digital media’s role in contemporary culture and society.

Call for Papers

We invite submissions from scholars, researchers, and practitioners across various fields, including but not limited to sociology, anthropology, communication studies, political science, cultural studies, philosophy, and media studies. Please note that this event will be held in person, and virtual presentations or participation will not be available.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• The role of social media in shaping public opinion and political discourse
• The cultural impact of short-video platforms like TikTok and Instagram
• Ethical considerations and societal implications of AI-powered applications
• Digital media and its influence on identity formation and community building
• The economics of digital media: monetization strategies and their effects on content
• Privacy, surveillance, and data security in the digital age
• The digital divide and issues of access and inequality
• Information, disinformation, and misinformation
• Virtual communities
• Truth and expertise in the digital world

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts: Please submit an abstract of 300-500 words outlining your paper using the submission form by August 19th.

Notification: Authors will be notified of acceptance by August 30th.