Deadlines: August 31

"The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty for the Study of Culture invites applications for fully funded

✓ one postdoctoral and two doctoral positions for the ERC project ONLINERPOL

ONLINERPOL (www.fordigitaldignity.com) is a five year research project (2017-22) on political cultures of new media in India and the diaspora. The project is funded by the European Research Council Starting Grant.

ONLINERPOL explores new media practices in India and the diaspora in Europe, and examines the relationship between expanding Internet media and the politics of national belonging mediated by secular-religious-liberal fissures. The project is carried out by a core team of researchers based at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, in cooperation with the Department of Communication and Media Research, LMU Munich, and a global network of collaborators.

We seek energetic and committed applicants who can design projects on new media and political cultures, and creatively connect with the objectives of ONLINERPOL.

PhD positions (3.5 years)

✓ PhD position 1:

Ethnography of online media, political cultures and Hindu identities among the Indian diaspora in the UK and Germany

The project will carry out an ethnographic study of online practices and narratives around national belonging/Hindu nationalism among the Indian diaspora in the UK and Germany. The project will closely follow particular social media sites and user groups (Facebook/Twitter or website/online discussion group).

✓ PhD position 2:

Ethnography of online meda, poltiical cultures and Muslim identities among the Indian diaspora in the UK and Germany

The project will carry out an ethnographic study of online practices, Muslim identities and narratives of national belonging among the Indian diaspora in the UK and Germany. The project will closely follow particular social media sites and user groups (Facebook/Twitter or website/online discussion group).

The broad objective of the doctoral positions is to understand the dynamics of online use cultures as they mediate diapora experiences and political cultures of national belonging, and how they bring about new, real-time connections between diasporic locations and homeland politics. In both the projects, ethnographic fielwork among online users will be supplmented with an analysis of the design and organization of sampled Facebook groups, Twitter handles or websites, and the social texts and activities they have generated.

Candidates with a background in anthropology, media and communication studies, or cultural studies with regional interest in South Asia are invited to apply. PhD researchers will participate in specially designed reading courses on anthropology of digital media; media and religion; and digital media activism, with opportunities to enrol for other courses at the university.They will also have an opportunity to assist/offer undergraduate courses on media anthropology. Candidates will take part in various project related activities, including workshops, conferences and social media contributions.

Doctoral positions are funded (TVL E13 50%) for 3.5 years. The project will cover fieldwork expenses and participation in international conferences.

✓ Postdoctoral position (2 years)

New media and political Islam in India

The study will map and analyze online media engagaemets of a major organization for political Islam in India (for eg., /Jamaat-i-Islami/) using ethnographic techniques and discourse anlaysis. How does the organization engage, organize and regulate its online presence? How does it engage online debates on national belonging and what are the implications for historically configured politics of religious difference? How is authority affirmed and reconfigured in light of the emerging online Muslim publics?

Candidates with a background in anthropology, media and communication studies, cultural studies, or Islamic studies with regional interest in South Asia are invited to apply. The posdoctoral researcher is invited to co-design and co-teach the courses on media and religion, and digital ethnography, and actively participate in planning and organizing project related offline and online activities.

Postdoctoral position is contracted with TVL E13 100% salary for 2 years. All fieldwork expenses will be covered, and participation in international conferences will be fully funded.

Successful applicants are expected to begin on or by 1 January 2018.

Proficiency in English is needed. Net savviness is highly desired.

Successful candidates will be part of an exciting multidisciplinary conversation on new media, with opportunties to partner with the core research team based in Munich and a global network of collaborators.

Our offer

The university is centrally located in Munich and can be reached very easily by public transport. We offer a stimating work atmosphere with opportunities for further education and growth. Differently abled people are given a priority.

Send your application (cover letter, 2 page proposal with a clear research plan and timeline, updated CV, 2 writing samples , names of two referees and copies of degree certificates as a single pdf) by email to ONLINERPOL@ethnologie.lmu.de with the subject line ˊApplication for doctoral/postdoctoral position ONLINERPOLˊ or by post to

Prof. Dr. Sahana Udupa

Professor of Media Anthropology

Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

Ludwig Maximilian University

Oettingenstr. 67

D-80538 Munich

Telefon

+49 (0)89 2180-9614

*Deadline for submission: 31 August 2017. *

Queries may be addressed to onlinerpol@ethnologie.lmu.de sahana.udupa@lmu.de. For more on the project visit www.fordigitaldignity.com"

Deadline for abstracts (250 words): August 1

"With the rise of Web 2.0, people brand themselves through social media as a singular person. The online visibility of their brand often takes precedence over social contributions. Their *online presentation*, however, is a reflection of how they want to be perceived in a collective setting. How does this kind of branding differ to a local business service or an international celebrity who also brands themselves online? What impact is *persona branding* having on society and the way people view themselves?

A focus on the*persona of activists *shows the particular impact of branding in society. An activist’s voice, like that of a political leader, is often heard if they have a strong brand. Yet, the perception is often specific to their national contexts. How are socialist actions in North Korea viewed in the Western world? How does having a female political leader change the perception of a country? How are immigrants seen around the world? What role does media play in creating these *constructed views in national and transnational contexts*?

We encourage scholars and industry practitioners to question, explore, and problematize the notion of national identity in persona, branding, and activism. We ask: *how is a country reflected through its celebrities, popular history, stereotypes and myths*? Often one individual can have global fame, which can result in branding a nation or city and develop a country’s cause as well. Their persona becomes the basis of how a place is perceived internationally. For example, American born icon Elvis Presley is used to represent Las Vegas and Memphis, while George Clooney has attached himself to Darfur through his activism. Similarly, Steve Irwin became a symbol of Australian culture through his philanthropy and his fame as “The Crocodile Hunter.” A decade since his death people still create the association between him and the nation’s identity, while overlooking how race, gender and class affect one’s overall brand identity.*Myths surrounding national identity* are also evident in beauty pageants and the Olympics. How do these stereotypes affect our understanding of culture?

The Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) /Bridging Gaps/ conference, in association with sponsors Centre for Ecological, Social, and Informatics Cognitive Research (ESI.CORE) and WaterHill Publishing, invites papers and films that explore the relationship among four key themes – persona, branding, activism, and national identity. We invite academics, filmmakers, journalists, publicists, designers, advertisers, marketing specialists, charity organizers, and guests to explore and connect themes from a range of interdisciplinary fields and generate a valuable discussion and practice that will inspire change.

Attendees may present papers, take part in a workshop or create a roundtable discussion on the themes of persona, branding, activism and national identity. *We already have one roundtable on Elvis Presley and another on Heath Ledger, which people can apply for. *

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 idea for /Celebrity Chat / was born in Melbourne and the first recording took place in Perth. We are proud to be bringing it back home. 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/or 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 proposal
✓ Include a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable
✓ Submit to conference Chairs Dr Jackie Raphael and Dr Celia Lam at celeb.studies@gmail.com
✓ Deadline for abstract submission: August 1, 2017
✓ Notification of acceptance: September 15, 2017
✓ Full text due: November 1, 2017
✓ Pre-Conference reception: December 8, 2017
✓ Conference presentations: December 9-10, 2017
✓ Publication of edited book: 2018

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 celeb.studies@gmail.com
✓ Deadline for submission: August 1, 2017
✓ Notification of acceptance: September 15, 2017
✓ Conference screening: December 9-10, 2017

Topics include but are not limited to:

✓ National Identity and Persona
✓ Activism and Philanthropy
✓ Fandom and Audiences
✓ Endorsements and Advertising
✓ Branding and Graphic Design
✓ Tourism and Promotion
✓ Politics and Leadership
✓ Persona and Online Presence
✓ Mass Media and Social Media
✓ Public Relations and Publicity
✓ Journalism and Newsworthy Topics
✓ Fame and Fortune
✓ Gender and Power
✓ Icons and Status
✓ Beauty Ideals, Pageants and Culture
✓ Models as Role Models
✓ Olympics and Representing Nations
✓ Sporting Identities
✓ Literature and Photography
✓ Film and Television
✓ Laws and Policies
✓ Theory and Methods
✓ Research Agenda and Business Models
✓ Ethics and Morality
✓ Cognition and Memory
✓ Social Innovation and Change
✓ Education and Advocacy
✓ Community Building and Community Partnerships

Conference Chairs: Dr Jackie Raphael and Dr Celia Lam

http://cmc-centre.com/conferences/2017perth/"