The Fan Studies Network

This updated version has corrected dates.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Bridging Gaps: What are the media, publicists, and celebrities selling?

Red Room, Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Diagonal

Barcelona, Spain

July 3rd – 5th, 2016

Public personalities hold the power to draw attention to products, services, and charities through their endorsement. Celebrity activists, for example, can help to change the world. From Elizabeth Taylor to George Clooney, celebrities have proven that their status can help raise awareness and funds for issues such as aids, poverty and global warming. However, many activists have also gained fame by standing up for their beliefs such as Harvey Milk, Dian Fossey, Malala Yousafzai, and Rosa Parks, thereby bridging gaps between celebrity activists and activists as celebrities. Thanks to social media, people today have a platform to share their views and gain a following, meaning activism is now in the power of the people. They can bring communities together from around the world to make a difference.

We invite you to send in abstracts about media control, activism, and celebrity status to interrogate, draw attention to the good that is being done, and suggest ways we can improve the world. What actions need to be taken and how can celebrity status help achieve this? How much power does a celebrity really have? Can someone create celebrity status through their activism? What role does public relations and the media play in promoting messages from beauty ideals to saving the planet?

The Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) Bridging Gapsconference series aims to connect scholars with industry professionals and generate a discussion and practice that will inspire change. CMCS in association with sponsors Centre for Ecological, Social, and Informatics Cognitive Research (ESI.CORE) and WaterHill Publishing, invite academics, filmmakers, journalists, publicists, advertisers, charity organizers, and guests to attend, speak and collaborate at the international conference. Attendees may present papers, take part in a workshop or create a roundtable discussion on the theme of celebrity activism, media ethics and endorsements.

Extended versions of selected papers will be published in an edited book by WaterHill Publishing, while others will be invited for the opportunity to publish work in the CrossBridge Journal.

We also invite people to send in videos for the Celebrity Chat Award. The best video/documentary will be selected based on its ability to draw attention to a significant matter, be relevant to the conference theme and inspire change.

Registration includes: Your printed conference package, catered lunch, coffee / tea breaks, evening drinks, professional development workshop, access to evening receptions, eligibility to publish in edited book, and consideration for the $100 best paper and screen awards.

Submission guidelines:

250-word abstract or workshop / roundtable proposalInclude a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable. Submit to conference Chairs Dr Jackie Raphael and Dr Celia Lam at email address: celeb.studies@gmail.com
Deadline for abstract submission: December 20, 2015
Notification of acceptance: January 20, 2016
Full text due: June 4, 2016
Pre-Conference Reception: July 3, 2016
Conference presentation: July 4-5, 2016
Publication of edited book:Approximately November 30, 2016

Celebrity Chat Video Submissions:

Video length should be 10-20 minutes. Include a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable. Submit to conference Chairs Dr Jackie Raphael and Dr Celia Lam at email address: celeb.studies@gmail.com
Deadline for submission: December 20, 2015
Notification of acceptance: January 20, 2016
Conference screening: July 4-5, 2016

Topics include but are not limited to:

Mass media and social media
Public relations and publicity
Social Advocacy
Human rights and animal rights
Environmental sustainability
Celebrity activists 
Activists as celebrities
Endorsements
Advertising
Branding
Persona
Journalism and newsworthy topics
Fame and Fortune
Beauty Ideals
Interviews
Audiences
Fandom
Literature
Film and Video
Television
Photography
Laws and Policies
Theory and Methods
Research Agenda
Business Models
Ethics and Morality
Cognition and Memory
Media Literacy
Social Innovation and Change
Education and Advocacy
Community Building
Business and Community Partnerships

Conference Chairs: Dr Jackie Raphael and Dr Celia Lam

Conference Committee Members: Dr Samita Nandy, Dr Louis Massey, Josh Nathan, and Andrea Marshall

Conference URL http://cmc-centre.com/conferences/barcelona/

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