ICA Preconference: Key themes in digital disconnection research: Authenticity, wellness, datafication and power

Disconnection studies has emerged as an umbrella term for investigating why and how citizens take breaks from digital communication. The preconference explores four critical themes in this emerging area: Authenticity, wellness, datafication and power.

Illustration of the word attention. Illustration

Illustration: Colourbox.com

Accepted abstracts and schedule

The call for abstracts deadline has passed. We are excited to present almost 30 contributions - please see list of abstracts below: 

Schedule here (updated May 24) (pdf)

Accepted abstracts here (pdf)

Registration

Register here

Registration deadline is May 15th. 

 

About the preconference

The preconference is part of the International Communication Association Annual Conference, May 2023 in Toronto. The preconference is open to all registered participants.

The preconference explores the topic of authenticity in disconnection studies, as authenticity emerges as both a negative and positive motive: Citizens log off to avoid inauthentic social media and hope to achieve a more authentic life by engaging in offline activities.

However, these motives are fraught with contradictions and ambivalence, to be explored at the preconference. In particular, the preconference addresses how these tensions around authenticity are situated in a broader context, promoting the discussion around the key topics of wellness, datafication and power.

The preconference is sponsored by the following ICA divisions and working groups:

  • Intercultural communication division
  • Mobile communication division
  • Philosophy, theory, and critique division
  • Activism, Communication and Social Justice Interest Group

Venue

Northrop Frye Hall, 73 Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7.

Rooms NF 113 and NF 119

Conference coordinators and email

Victoria Andelsman and Christoffer Bagger are the main coordinators. Contact them here: disconnection@hum.ku.dk

Organizers

  • Trine Syvertsen, Professor, University of Oslo
  • Gunn Enli, Professor, University of Oslo
  • Tero Karppi, Associate Professor, University of Toronto (Local host)
  • Anne Kaun, Professor, Södertörn University
  • Ana Jorge, Associate Professor, Lusófona University
  • Stine Lomborg, Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
  • Mariek Vanden Abeele, Associate Professor, Ghent University
  • Victoria Andelsman, PhD candidate, University of Copenhagen
  • Christoffer Bagger, PhD candidate, University of Copenhagen
  • Sara Van Bruyssel, PhD candidate, Ghent University 
  • Tom De Leyn, postdoc, Ghent University
  • Bert Verhulst, PhD candidate, Ghent University

Organizer

digitox
Published Sep. 14, 2022 10:05 AM - Last modified May 24, 2023 11:25 PM