Norwegian version of this page

Previous guest lectures and seminars

2020

Book launch: Childlessness in the Age of Communication

A seminar dedicated to exploring the existential, social and political repercussions of infertility in a society that is organized around family.

Time and place: Nov. 12, 2020 12:30 PM–3:30 PM, Online

Professor Cristina Archetti will present her new book Childlessness in the Age of Communication: Deconstructing Silence.

Although involuntary childlessness (i.e. not having children not by choice) affects an increasing number of women and men across the world, this topic is shrouded in taboo and shame. Cristina will deal with the invisible mechanisms that, from the gestures and throw-away comments of everyday life to policy, make up the structure of silence around childlessness.

Moving away from a public discourse that reduces involuntary childlessness to a “medical” issue, she will address the existential, social and political repercussions of infertility, as well as the challenge of explaining what it means and how it feels not to have children in a society that is organized around family.

Join her in conversation with a range of guests: researchers, health practitioners, a film director and a podcaster, infertility survivors and activists.

Programme

  • Giving a voice to silenced stories.Cristina Archetti (Professor in Political Communication and Journalism, University of Oslo, and co-founder of Andre Veier: Foreningen for permanent barnløse) will present her new book, sharing both her research findings and the challenges of writing about taboo.
  • Hilde Merete Haug (sociologist, film director and producer) will present an excerpt from her documentary on involuntary childlessness Mammaen i meg (The mum in me) and discuss the dilemmas involved in the process of capturing sensitive and personal stories on camera.
  • The roots of silence. Hildegun Sarita Selle (psychologist at the Polyclinic for Psychosomatics and Trauma, Sørlandet hospital, and co-founder of Stiftelsen Flexid) and Anders Möller (Professor Emeritus, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stockholm) will discuss the psychological and existential dimensions of not having children.
  • Robin Hadley (independent researcher on male childlessness and ageing, and founding member of British organization Ageing Without Children) and Kristian Ophaug (family therapist) will address the lack of scripts and vocabularies in men’s experiences of infertility.
  • Speaking out: Activism and the future. Linda Malm (psycosynthesis therapist and founder of Swedish organization Andra sidan tröskeln: Föreningen för permanent ofrivilligt barnlösa) and Cecilie Hoxmark (producer of the podcast Barnløs på godt og vondt and co-founder of Andre Veier: Foreningen for permanent barnløse) will discuss the challenges of “being heard” and what it takes to break the silence around infertility.

The debate will be conducted mostly in English

Watch a recording of the event:

Organizer

Cristina Archetti and Department of Media and Communication


Screen Cultures Public Lecture Series: Living in a Mobile World: The Culture and Economy of Apps

Dr. Anne Helmond (University of Amsterdam) will give the talk “Living in a mobile world: The culture and economy of apps”

Time and place: Feb. 20, 2020 2:15 PM–3:30 PM, Eilert Sundts hus, A-blokka: Auditorium 7

In 2019, the average user spent 3.7 hours on their mobile, signifying how deeply our mobile devices have become interwoven into our daily lives and practices.

Smartphones have become a key – if not primary – interface to interact with the world around us. At the same time we carry around ‘smart’ data collection devices that are continuously aggregating data about our location, activities, and app usage.

This lecture outlines how we can study social and cultural phenomena through the lens of app stores and how we can examine data flows between app user interfaces and third parties.

Ultimately, the app store is seen as an interface highlighting cultural practices and the app as an interface connecting users, their practices, and data to various third-party platforms and databases. 

Organizer

Screen Cultures


Guest-lecture by David Berry

Mark your calendars for a talk we believe should be relevant across disciplinary boundaries of our department: Professor David Berry (University of Sussex) will give the guest lecture "The Explainability Turn: Explanation, Algorithms and Democratic Thought"

Time and place: Feb. 13, 2020 12:00 PM–12:45 PM, Room 410, IMK

What happens when disruptive technologies, networks and values are hidden within the black box of the computer? This becomes important as platforms have major consequences for politics, society and the economy (e.g. the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica, high-frequency trading scandals). However, platforms are difficult to study and understand due to their opaque structure. Consequently, few studies have been able to analyse the extent to which algorithms might reproduce lasting social legacies or generate new social conflicts.

This research addresses these gaps by examining how ideas, networks and values embedded within platforms might be critiqued through a concept of explainability. Explainability is the name given to the requirement that an algorithmic system should provide an explanation to a user about a decision.

This is in response to a wider public unease with the perceived bias of algorithms and the calls for greater accountability for these systems. I argue that a historical understanding of explanation in relation to the concept of explainability, eg. through the legal structures of the GDPR, offers an important opportunity for interrogating algorithmic power and studying their consequences.

Foregrounding the potential of explainability for critical thought, this talk examines  the limitations of self-regulation for algorithmic systems and the potential of explainability to challenge algorithm's opaqueness and power.

2018

Close Reading Workshop 2 with Sean Cubitt

The Department of Media and Communication will be hosting two workshops on Close Reading as a key method in the new materialism, with Professor Sean Cubitt (Goldsmiths University of London) on 6 March and 13 March 2018.

Time and place: Mar. 13, 2018 2:15 PM–4:00 PM, Helga Engs Auditorium 3

In the age of Big Data, and in the wake of post-structuralism, between a newly revivified empiricism and a field of theoretical confrontations, the minor art of close reading may seem outmoded. In these workshops we will presume that close reading is a key method in the new materialism.

Inheriting techniques from art history, music theory and literary studies, informed by anthropology, ethnography and historical, philological and archival research, close reading need no longer be restricted to canonical texts of European civilisation. In the first seminar we will read a poem, an image, an audiovisual text and, if time allows, a theory paper.

The seminar will conclude by discussing close readings of lived experience. Students will be invited to nominate a text for close reading in the second workshop, when we will extend the analysis by addressing the technological and environmental infrastructure of the text and its inter-textual, inter-discursive and inter-institutional placing, in order to confront the question: do texts express the historical moment of their production, and if so is it possible for new readers to articulate them with the present without betraying their original significance.

No preparatory reading is required for the first seminar. Students will be invited to do some internet research on the text nominated for the second workshop.

Organizer

Institutt for medier og kommunikasjon


Close Reading Seminar with Sean Cubitt

The Department of Media and Communication will be hosting two workshops on Close Reading as a key method in the new materialism, with Professor Sean Cubitt (Goldsmiths University of London) on 6 March and 13 March 2018.

Time and place: Mar. 6, 2018 2:15 PM–4:00 PM, Helga Engs Auditorium 3

In the age of Big Data, and in the wake of post-structuralism, between a newly revivified empiricism and a field of theoretical confrontations, the minor art of close reading may seem outmoded. In these workshops we will presume that close reading is a key method in the new materialism.

Inheriting techniques from art history, music theory and literary studies, informed by anthropology, ethnography and historical, philological and archival research, close reading need no longer be restricted to canonical texts of European civilisation. In the first seminar we will read a poem, an image, an audiovisual text and, if time allows, a theory paper.

The seminar will conclude by discussing close readings of lived experience. Students will be invited to nominate a text for close reading in the second workshop, when we will extend the analysis by addressing the technological and environmental infrastructure of the text and its inter-textual, inter-discursive and inter-institutional placing, in order to confront the question: do texts express the historical moment of their production, and if so is it possible for new readers to articulate them with the present without betraying their original significance.

No preparatory reading is required for the first seminar. Students will be invited to do some internet research on the text nominated for the second workshop.

Organizer

Institutt for medier og kommunikasjon


Untold stories: When the “family dream” goes unrealized

This day of debate is about the personal stories that seldom get told: what it means to be involuntarily childless in a society that tends to revolve around children and what happens when becoming a parent is not what one had expected.

This event aims to contribute new voices, arguments and angles of approach to the Norwegian public debate on fertility, family and parenthood.

Time and place: Feb. 8, 2018 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Litteraturhuset, Kverneland

Programme

  • Welcome
  • “Muzzled Voices of Parenthood”. Robert Blackwood, Reader (University of Liverpool, UK), “The muffling and vocalising of traditionally dominant voices: A father's perspective.”
  • Orna Donath, Post-doctoral Fellow (Ben Gurion University of Negev, Israel), “Politics of reproduction and emotions: What can we learn from the social denial of regretting motherhood?”
  • Kellie Gonçalves, Post-doctoral Fellow, Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan (UiO), “Being a mom isn't all it’s cracked up to be: The challenges of motherhood in the 21st century.”
  • Elizabeth Lanza, Professor & Director of the Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan (UiO), “Challenges for transnational parents in contemporary globalized society.”
  • “Childlessness, Silences and Taboo” Cristina Archetti, Professor, Institute of Media and Communication (UiO), “Writing about invisibility: Childlessness beyond not having the baby”
  • Marjolein De Boer, Post-doctoral Fellow, Institute of Health & Society (UiO), “Silencing childless women in fertility reality TV.”
  • Robin Hadley Formerly research consultant at the Open University (UK), now independent researcher on male childlessness, counsellor, advisor to the board of the British organization Ageing Without Children (http://awoc.org/), “The real stories of men who wanted to be dads.”
  • Esmée Hanna, Researcher, School of Health & Community Studies (Leeds Beckett University, UK), “Stigma and silence: The male experience of fertility issues.”
  • “Speaking Out: Finding a Voice & Dealing with Reactions” Hilde Merete Haug, Sociologist, film director and producer of the documentary on involuntary childlessness “Mammaen i meg [The mother in me]”
  • Linda Malm, Blogger (http://www.andrasidantroskeln.se/author/linda/), psychosynthesis counsellor, member of the board of the Barnlängtan organization (Sweden) for involuntarily childless, founder of the network “Andra sidan tröskeln,” ‘a meeting and debate place for those who have not fulfilled the “baby dream.”’
  • Elisabeth Tøtte Hansen, NRK journalist and producer of radio documentary “Aldri mamma [Never mother].”
  • “Who is Listening? Society’s Responses”
    • Eira Bjørvik, Researcher, Department of Health and Society (UiO), expert in the history of reproductive medicine.
    • Lise Boeck Jakobsen, Chairwoman, Ønskebarn (Norwegian association for fertility and childlessness).
    • Bente Sandvig, member of Biologirådet secretariat (Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board); Director of Lifestance/Political Issues at the Norwegian Humanist Association; former party secretary of the Socialist Left Party.
    • Vegard Skirbekk, Professor (Columbia University Aging Center, New York); Senior Researcher at the Centre for Fertility and Health (Senter for fruktbarhet og helse), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Folkehelseinstituttet).
  •  Final remarks

Contact

Cristina Archetti

The event is sponsored by Fritt Ord.

Organizer

Institute of Media and Communication, UiO and MultiLing - Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan, UiO

2017

Guest lecture: Web TV, creative economies and new media

Open guest lecture with Dr. Aymar Jean Christian (Northwestern University), one of the foremost experts on web TV. The theme of the lecture is TV series on the web, and their particular modes of production and distribution.

Time and place: Sep. 4, 2017 2:15 PM–4:00 PM, Sophus Bugges hus, Auditorium 1

Aymar Jean Christian is assistant professor of communication at Northwestern University. His first book, Open TV: Innovation Beyond Hollywood and the Rise of Web Television (NYU Press 2018), is the first full study on web TV, incorporating years of documenting and participating in this emerging art form and market. Dr. Christian will talk about his research and work on Open TV Beta for the Digital Fortelling: Webserien Skam class on Monday 14.15-17 at Sophus Bugge.

Dr. Christian researches new media and creative economy. He has produced several independent video projects. The most significant of these is Open TV (beta), a platform for queer and intersectional television in Chicago. Open TV programs have received recognition by the Television Academy, Streamy Awards, Tribeca Film Festival, Gotham Awards, and the show Brown Girls has recently been picked up by HBO.

Dr. Christian has also served as a judge, curator and expert on video and web TV for the Peabody Awards, Tribeca Film Festival, Streamy Awards, and Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others. He received his PhD from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania in 2012

2016

From broadcaster to multiplatform player

On Thursday 2 June at 2 pm (not 15 minutes past), Julie M.M. Lassen, visiting PhD student from the University of Copenhagen, will present her PhD project for CeRMI. 

Time and place: June 2, 2016 2:00 PM, Rom 418, IMK

From broadcaster to multiplatform player – Public Service Television in the era of post-broadcasting.

Abstract

The technological development of the recent years means that today’s media landscape is characterized by digital media platforms and online services such as television on demand and live streaming. The digitization entails both new possibilities and challenges to the old public service media institutions, which were founded in an era where the media market was quite different from that of today.

This PhD project focuses on the oldest Danish public service media institution DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) and asks the question of how the television service of DR has been influenced by the digitization process. By investigating the range of programmes both quantitatively and qualitatively, the project seeks to shed light on how the public service task is being realised by DR on television in the period from 2005 to 2015.

2015

Embedding children's rights in policy-making

Open lecture by Professor Sonia Livingstone and presentation of the research project EU Kids Online main findings on researching children's use of internet and risks connected with the internet use. The audience is welcome to ask questions.

Time and place: June 8, 2015 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, Department of media and communication, UiO. Room 205

Since 2006, participants of the international research project EU Kids Online have been researching children's use of the internet and risks connected with internet use.

On June 8, professor Sonia Livingstone (professor II at the Department of Media and Communication) will give a lecture "Embedding children's rights in policy-making: lessons from research and evidence gaps".

During the session professor Livingstone, together with her colleague Associate Professor Elisabeth Staksrud of the Department of Media and Communication, UiO, will present the main findings from their research, and will also answer questions from the audience.

The lecture is taking part in Auditorium 205, Building C, Oslo Science Park, Gaustadalleen 21.

Organizer

Medietilsynet Trygg bruk and IMK


Embedding children's rights in policy-making: lecture by professor II Sonia Livingstone

Professor II Sonia Livingstone gives an open lecture in the Department of Media and Communication.

Time and place: June 2, 2015 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, Rom 205

Since 2006, participants of the international research project EU Kids Online have been researching children's use of internet and risks connected with the internet use. On June 2, professor Sonia Livingstone (professor II at the Department of Media and Communication) will give a lecture "Embedding children's rights in policy-making: lessons from research and evidence gaps". During the session professor Livingstone, together with her colleague Associate Professor Elisabeth Staksrud, will present several important findings from their research, and will also answer questions from the audience.


Regulating regimes and European literature

This seminar is one of several events organised within the scope of the project "Art! Power" by the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo.

Time and place: Mar. 5, 2015 12:15 PM–Mar. 6, 2015 3:00 PM, Uranienborgveien 2
Seminar Program: Regulating regimes and European literature

Thursday, March 5
 

  • Presentation of “Books – At what price? Report on political instruments in the publishing industry in Europe» by researchers at University of Oslo, Tore Slaatta and Helge Rønning. Moderator is Kristenn Einarsson.
  • How is the competition in fixed book price countries? What is the influence on competition by digitalization and new international players?
  • Presentations by Øystein Foros (N), Karine Nyborg (N) and Verena Brinkmann (D) Moderator is Helge Rønning.
  • Presentations by Rémi Gimazane and Stephanie Kurschus about the fixed book price situation in France and Germany. Are the book laws abided, and what discussion does the fixed book prices raise? Moderator is Helge Rønning. Questions and answers from the participants.

Friday March 6th

  • How do the parties in the book industry assess the situation? Introduction by Fran Dubruille (FR). Panel with authors, booksellers and publishers, with Kjell Bohlund (SE), Stephanie Kurschus (D), Rèmi Gimazane (FR), Jessica Sänger (D), Janne Rijkers (NL), José Jorge Letria (PT), Myriam Diocaretez (B), Arvydas Andrijauskas (LT) and Argyris Kastaniotis (GS). Moderator is Trond Andreassen. Questions and answers from the participants.
  • Panel presentation on the state of research in European countries. With Angus Philips (UK), Miha Kovac (SL), Adriaan van der Weel (NL) and Ann Steiner (SE). Moderator is Kristenn Einarsson
  • How can research and fact finding be coordinated in a better way in the future? Panel discussion with Angus Philips (UK), Miha Kovac (SL), Adriaan van der Weel (NL), Ann Steiner (SE) and Kjell Bohlund (SE). Moderator is Tore Slaatta.


Affiliated project

"Art! Power!"

2013

Media Life: How can we live a good life in media?

Associate Professor Mark Deuze will present his latest monograph: Media Life. Media Life offers a compass for the way ahead.

Time and place: Mar. 13, 2013 2:15 PM–4:00 PM, Department of Media and Communication, Room 205

Research consistently shows how, through the years, more of our time is spent using media, how media multiply in everyday life, and that consuming media for most people takes place alongside producing media.

Media Life (Polity, 2012) is a primer on how we may think of our lives as lived in rather than with media.

The book uses the way people experience media as a prism to understand key issues in contemporary society, in which reality is open source, identities are – like websites – always under construction, and private life is lived in public forever more.

Ultimately, media are to us as water is to fish. The question is: how can we live a good life in media, like fish in water?

About the speaker

Mark Deuze is Associate Professor at the Dept of Telecommunications, University of Indiana.

He is an internationally acknowledged researcher in the areas of media convergence, digital journalism and the creative industries.

Organizer

Department of Media and Communication

Published Feb. 4, 2022 5:24 PM - Last modified Mar. 28, 2022 1:45 PM