The International Communication Section (INC) will be holding online elections for one 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 International Communication Section 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 INC Section, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.
See the candidates and read their statements below.
Read about the International Communication Section
More information and timeline at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2024
Candidates
For chair:
For Vice chair:
- Pınar Aslan,(Uskudar University, Türkiye)
- Anilesh Kumar (Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University, China)
- Manisha Mishra (University of Agder, Norway)
Statements
Sudeshna Roy (Stephen F. Austin State University, TX, USA)
I am writing to express my strong interest in serving as the Chair of the International Communication Section of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). I hold a Ph.D in Communication from Washington State University, USA, and am a full Professor in the Mass Communication Department of Stephen F. Austin State University (A University of Texas systems university).
I have been a member of IAMCR for more than a decade in all and I have served as the vice-Chair and then Chair of the Diaspora and Media WG from 2015-2019. In all my years as a member, I have deeply appreciated the vibrant space IAMCR offers for development of lasting professional networks, fostering of innovative ideas, and collaboration on research projects, especially with colleagues from the global South.
My research focuses on critically examining how different cultures use media (news, social media, etc.) to interact, navigate misunderstandings, and potentially spark tensions. I unpack how media representations have an impact on identities of people in the margins (with special focus on immigrants, migrants, refugees) so as to affect the ways in which their cultural interactions are framed globally. In my research, I have looked at how global media systems, such as news organizations, and social media platforms operating internationally, disseminate and influence global public opinion and cultural exchange. I have worked on how cultural contexts influence how messages are encoded, interpreted, and potentially misunderstood across borders. I am specifically interested in exploring issues of access and power imbalances in the global context and recognize the power of narratives in revealing underlying power dynamics and dominant ideologies with the global communication landscape. I have a distinguished record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and edited books to substantiate my research agenda.
My vision for the International Communication Section encompasses a nuanced understanding of the needs of our members, providing engaged leadership in meeting those needs, and serving as a bridge to bring those concerns to the IAMCR leadership. While the following list is not exhaustive, I would also: actively recruit members from underrepresented regions, advocate for more travel grants, encourage participation from scholars from various disciplines beyond communication, offer workshops to engage with the needs of our members, and facilitate collaborative research projects and mentorship programs.
I have a successful record in leading divisions in national and international professional organizations. I have been the past chair of the Peace and Conflict Communication Division of National Communication Association and Ethnicity and Race in Communication of the International Communication Association (ICA). I am currently the Chair of the Intercultural Communication Division of ICA and will finish my tenure in 2025.
I believe that my qualifications and experience make me a strong candidate for the Chair of the International Communication Section. I am confident that I can lead the section in a way that will promote excellence in research, foster collaboration among scholars, and ensure that the voices of all regions are heard. I am eager to work collaboratively with section members to achieve our shared goals and build a more vibrant, international forum for the study of communication and media across borders.
Pınar Aslan (Uskudar University, Türkiye)
My name is Pınar Aslan. I am an Associate Professor of Communication at Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkiye. I have been a member of IAMCR and the International Communication Section since 2018. The first IAMCR conference I participated in was in Oregon in 2018; since then, IAMCR has always been my favourite conference with its lively atmosphere and inclusive scope of research.
My research currently focuses on Turkish dizis and international fandom; I try to follow the steps of alternative cultural flows through creative industries, fandom studies and participatory culture. I am also very much interested in popular culture, cultural heritage and intercultural communication.
I have two degrees in Public Relations and Comparative Literature, and two master degrees in Public Relations and Cultural Studies. I also have two PhDs: one from Universidad de Salamanca (Spain) and the other one from Istanbul University (Turkiye). My PhD in Spain was about female identity, iconicity, and media studies whereas my second PhD in Turkiye referred to Turkish television series and their success in Latin America within the context of soft power. I am a firm believer in interdisciplinary and intercultural studies, and I have conducted research in Turkiye, Spain, Chile, Cuba and Austria. I speak Spanish and Italian besides English.
I have always enjoyed the sessions of the International Communication section, and now that I have this opportunity of working for this section, I’ve decided to take a step further and present myself as a candidate for Vice-Chair of the International Communication Section. If elected, I will gladly collaborate with the team for the IAMCR conferences and hopefully contribute to strengthening the bonds of International Communication Section members through diversity and shared research interests.
Thank you!
Anilesh Kumar (Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University, China)
I am excited to present my candidacy for the position of Vice Chair, International Communication Section (INC). My name is Anilesh Kumar, and I have joined as an Assistant Professor of International Communication at Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University in China. With a strong academic background and a passion for interdisciplinary research, I believe I can bring valuable insights to one of the largest and oldest sections of the IAMCR.
I hold a master’s degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster in London, as well as a second master's degree in TV Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London. My academic pursuits rest at the intersection of International Relations and International Communication, allowing me to explore diverse topics such as digital communication, geo-politics, tech diplomacy, artificial intelligence and politics.
I sincerely believe in diversifying the area of my research and currently collaborating with scholars from various countries including Canada, China, Singapore, Turkey, France, Nigeria, and India. These collaborations have also provided me with a global perspective that I believe would be beneficial to the INC section. My professional experience as a foreign affairs journalist prior to pursuing my PhD, combined with my academic background in International Relations, and award-winning research articles have equipped me to meaningfully contribute to the organisation.
Having lived and worked in both Asia and Europe, I believe I bring a diverse and inclusive perspective to the IAMCR. My experiences in different cultural and academic settings have shaped my approach, and I am committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration within the academic community. If elected as Vice Chair, I will work tirelessly to promote interdisciplinary research, encourage international collaboration, and support the professional development of our members, especially relevant for the young and emerging scholars.
Therefore, I humbly ask for your vote and support in this election. Together, we can build a stronger and a more vibrant academic community that values diversity, innovation, and excellence.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Manisha Mishra (University of Agder, Norway)
The first IAMCR Conference I attended was in 2014, in Hyderabad, India. Since then, IAMCR has been an intellectual home for me, allowing me to participate and contribute to it in various ways. Throughout my decade-long involvement with IAMCR, I have seen the organisation grow steadily and become an even bigger arena for scholars from all over the world to interact and share their ideas.
In 2016, I presented my first paper at the International Communication (INC) Section in Leicester and was instantly drawn to its international and diverse approach. I am grateful to the INC Section for being instrumental in inspiring my research and I would very much like to continue my association with it. I would like to put forward my candidacy as Vice-Chair for the International Communication Section for the 2024-2028 term period.
Having lived in 6 countries on 3 continents, I strongly believe in the importance of an international approach where voices outside mainstream scholarship can be heard and incorporated. Having grown up in Asia and Africa as a child and having worked in Asia and Europe as an adult, my strength lies in understanding and embracing various cross-cultural perspectives. My personal philosophy draws heavily from internationalism, particularly diversity of thought, and I believe this will be important in furthering the existing ethos of the INC Section.
I am currently a PhD Research Fellow at the University of Agder in Norway. I have two Master's degrees: one in Transcultural Studies at Heidelberg University (Germany) and another in Communication Studies at Manipal University (India). I have previously worked as a lecturer in media and communication, as well as a journalist. My research work and interests have been highly interdisciplinary and internationally focused as well. In my PhD research, I focus on those who migrate multiple times across countries and how their experiences transcend nation-state boundaries. In addition to my research in migration and transculturation, I have also published on and maintained an interest in film and television studies, particularly Japanese anime, Iranian new-wave cinema, Hindi cinema and Chinese fantasy shows. Some of my other interests include environmental communication and intercultural communication.
If I am elected, I would like to support early-stage scholars to find an arena where they can share and build upon their ideas. Furthermore, I will work hard to internationalise the section even further, encouraging not only the diversity of individuals, but also diversity of thought, particularly from the Global South, whilst simultaneously aiming to expand the activities of INC with other leaders of the section.
I sincerely thank you for your consideration.