Participatory Communication Research Section - elections 2024

The Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR) will be holding online elections for two co-chair and two vice-chair positions, for the term 2024 - 2028. 

The elections will be held online from 23 April to 14 May using the SurveyMonkey platform. Individual members and representatives of institutional members in good standing, who are also registered as members of the Participatory Communication Research Section (PCR)  will be eligible to stand for a position and to vote. Voters will receive a voting link on 23 April.

To verify if you are a member of the PCR Section, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.

Interested candidates must send their name, institutional position, a statement of no more than 500 words and a photograph to elections@iamcr.org with a copy to the SWG elections coordinator Andrea Medrado (A.Medrado@westminster.ac.uk) and to the PCR Section's contact email iamcr.pcr@gmail.com  no later than 16 April.

Candidate statements will be posted on this page as they are submitted.

Read about the Participatory Communication Research Section

More information and timeline at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2024

Candidates

For Co-chair:

For Vice chair:

Statements

Anastasia Denisova (University of Westminster, UK)anastasia_denisova

Dear fellow academics,

I am applying for the role of the chair of Participatory Communication Research section (PCR). The reasons I am willing to take on the responsibilities and tasks associated with this position lie in my commitment to advancing media studies and my disillusionment with the bias and distortion brought about by the social media platforms. We need to increase the spotlight on the initiatives, development and phenomena that empower the audience – whether it is in political communication, or climate change storytelling, or citizen journalism, or construction or reframing of social and cultures issues, and beyond.

My background in journalism and participatory studies related to Internet memes make me prepared to understand the challenges and promises of the co-creation of media and the possibilities this holds for citizen empowerment. Having served for many years as the board member on Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture peer-reviewed journal, achieving the SFHEA recognition, and presenting at the leading media conferences across years have made me familiar with the processes, administrative and social dynamics of media associations, as well as their power in bringing researchers together.

I am willing to take on an active democratic approach in the section, organising open discussions on decision-making and providing the necessary support for the fellow academics to thrive. 

I will set as my main goal increasing the visibility and impact of the research conducted in this section.

Thank you for reading this statement and for your consideration.

Kind regards,
Dr Anastasia Denisova

Senior Lecturer in Journalism
Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI)
College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries
University of Westminster, United Kindgom
E: a.denisova1@westminster.ac.uk

Jessica Noske-Turner (Loughborough University London UK)jessica_noske-turner

As a long-time member of the PCR Section I am honoured and excited to stand for Co-Chair. The vision articulated here for the future of our Section has been developed in close collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Lauren Dyll who is also standing for Co-Chair.  
 
I am a scholar of communication for development and social change based at Loughborough University in London, and have been an active member of PCR since my PhD student days. I have contributed as a reviewer, session chair, and as a presenter. The PCR Section at IAMCR has been an invaluable and formative network throughout my career. It has been one of the most vibrant and important academic spaces for the field of participatory communication and social change research, connecting established and emerging scholars. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the network that has been so instrumental to my academic journey so far.  
 
Our vision has three key elements.
 
Firstly, we aim to advance the conceptual focus at conferences. There is an ongoing challenge in our field to distinguish our understanding of participation from more generic notions of participation as 'interaction' or 'participatory culture' on social media. I see it as important that our section prioritises academic advancement of work on participation as a social process of communication towards social change, voice, community and empowerment.  This may mean for example further empowering reviewers to prioritise papers that speak to the intended core focus. 
 
Secondly, we aim build more collaborations across related Working Groups and Sections to bring conversations together. My intention is to foster more co-hosted sessions with Rural Communication, Community Communication and Alternative Media, Media Sector Development, Gender and Communication, Health Communication, and other sections where we have intersecting interests. 
 
Thirdly, our focus will be on building our sense of community.  We'd like to experiment with ideas like: PhD and ECR-focused sessions that are more workshop-oriented to foster mentorship and feedback support; new ways of enabling member contributions to shaping the Section's call for papers so that it represents topical issues and new currents in research; and consultation with members about the best communication platforms for intra-Section communication between conferences. Additionally, we will balance our focus on the in-person conference and out-of-conference webinars, recognising that the latter are important, accessible spaces especially for early career researchers and others who face difficulty with the costs of conference travel.

Dr Jessica Noske-Turner
Pronouns: she, her
Senior Lecturer, Institute for Media and Creative Industries
Loughborough University London

Lauren Dyll (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)lauren_dyll

I am excited to stand for Co-Chair of the Participatory Communication Research (PCR) Section. I have been a member of the IAMCR since my first conference attendance and presentation in 2010. 

I have actively participated as a member of the PCR Section, through session presentations, attending AGMS, reviewing abstracts, chairing sessions and more recently as an invited online video speaker (2020, ‘Complicating Participation’), online video panel member (2021, ‘Participatory Communication Research in Africa: a round keynote talk’), and OCP interactive session panel member (2022, ‘Participation, theory, ethics and methodology’). 

My interest in participatory communication intersects with critical indigenous qualitative methodologies and issues around cultural heritage and tourism in terms of the relationship between social change, identity, and knowledge production. I am co-editor for the Taylor and Francis journal, Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies. 

I bring experience in university management and leadership where I have promoted the synergy between research and community engagement. As a PCR co-ordinating team member, I am eager to energise the impetus on the below. This vision has been developed in close collaboration with Dr Jessica Noske-Turner, who is also standing for Co-Chair.

  • Methodologies that facilitate multiple perspectives in participatory, collaborative (and creative) knowledge creation. 
  • Mentoring – creating space and opportunities in workshop form to provide constructive feedback for early career academics.
  • Publication opportunities as outputs from conference sessions.
  • Synergies with cognate Sections and Working Groups.
  • Accessibility – fostering approaches that will allow inclusion of members from lower income countries in out-of-conference webinars. 

Lauren Dyll
Associate Professor
The Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS)
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (UKZN)
South Africa

Aniruddha Jena (Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, India)lauren_dyll

Hello!

I, Aniruddha Jena, currently work as an Assistant Professor in the Communications Area at the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, India. My association with the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), particularly within the Participatory Communication Research (PCR) section since 2019, has been academically enriching. It is with great honor that I express my keen interest in standing for the position of Vice-Chair of the PCR Section.

My motivation to contest for this position stems from dual perspectives: personal and professional. On a personal level, I am compelled by a profound gratitude towards the PCR section, whose scholarship has significantly shaped my academic journey, particularly during my doctoral research and beyond. Participatory research methodologies and theoretical frameworks have been centrally informing my scholarly pursuits. Thus, seeking a formal role within the PCR section allows me to contribute meaningfully to its academic and scholarly endeavors, particularly in advancing epistemological and methodological discourses.

From a professional standpoint, being in India within the global south, I am very much aware of the increasing scholarly contributions emerging from this region, especially across Southeast Asia. I have received excellent mentorship, with IAMCR serving as a key platform. This support has facilitated publications in journals such as Communication Theory, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Mass Communication and Society, South Asia Research, Economic & Political Weekly, and chapters in edited volumes and anthologies published by Routledge, Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, and Lexington Books. Also, I have presented my research at prominent international conferences, including the World Community Media Conference 2019 (Deakin University, Australia), Millennium Conference 2019 (LSE, United Kingdom), and the IAMCR Annual Conferences between 2019 - 2023. 

Furthermore, I have received national and international fellowships and scholarships, including the Ambedkar-Bhagat Singh National Media Fellowship, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Doctoral Scholarship, Shastri Research Student Fellowship, and UNESCO Chair on Community Media Research Assistantship that have significantly shaped my academic trajectory. If elected, I aim to leverage this position alongside the PCR section's vice-chairs and co-chairs, along with IAMCR leadership, to strengthen the PCR section's presence, particularly in the global south. I aim to initiate online outreach endeavors, including webinars, to enhance awareness of the PCR section's initiatives and foster scholarly engagement. 

In addition, I aim to propose online mentorship programs tailored for PhD students and early career researchers, fostering inclusivity and accessibility to scholars on the margins. To realize this, I intend to collaborate closely with the PCR section's leadership to curate special journal issues and edited volumes from paper presentations at the IAMCR Annual Conference. Specifically, efforts will be directed towards facilitating author workshops to support contributors in securing publication opportunities.

I take pride in mentioning that I received the IAMCR travel grant in 2023 allowing me to present two research papers at Lyon, which was a rewarding experience. Active involvement in IAMCR activities, such as reviewing and panel participation, provided valuable insights into functioning of sections and working groups. Therefore, I genuinely believe my experience can enrich the PCR section.

Thank you!

Amit Verma (Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India)amit_verma

I am honoured to stand before you today as a candidate for the Vice-Chair position of participatory communication research (PCR) section in IAMCR. Having been an active member of this body, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion each of you brings to our collective mission. Now, I am eager to further contribute to our society's growth and success in a leadership capacity.

Throughout my tenure as a member, I have actively participated in various initiatives and projects, gaining a deep understanding of our organization's values, goals, and challenges. My experience has equipped me with the insight needed to effectively collaborate with fellow members, listen to diverse perspectives, and drive positive change.

If elected, I commit to:

Supporting the Chair: I will work closely with the Chair to ensure IAMCR operates smoothly and efficiently, assisting in decision-making and strategic planning to advance our objectives.

Fostering Collaboration: I believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration. I will actively encourage open communication and cooperation among members to foster innovation and achieve our collective goals.

Promoting Inclusivity: It is imperative that every member feels valued and heard within our society. I will advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and equity, striving to create an environment where all voices are respected and represented.

I am deeply passionate about the IAMCR mission and eager to serve as Vice Chair. With your support, I am confident that together, we can navigate the challenges ahead and lead our organization to even greater heights.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to our society's continued success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amit Verma
Assistant Registrar and Assistant Professor (Senior scale)
Journalism and Mass Communication,
Centre for Distance and Online Education,
Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Email ID: Amitve4@gmail.com Amit.verma@jaipur.manipal.edu