Participatory Journalism Interest Group

The Participatory Journalism Interest Group, PJIG, invites research paper submissions for the 2020 AEJMC Conference, August 6-9 in San Francisco, CA. The deadline for paper submissions is April 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (CDT).

PJIG is interested in research that examines participatory journalism broadly defined as the use of digital tools and other techniques to involve members of the public, sometimes called “citizens,” “users,” or “participants” in the production, dissemination, and sharing of news. If your paper concerns social media intersecting with news, comments on news sites, journalists’ perceptions of audiences, entrepreneurial media products where public contributions are involved, or independent publishing near the boundaries of institutional news, PJIG is the place for your paper. Quantitative and qualitative methods are respected equally, and we accept pedagogical papers as well.

Papers submitted will be eligible for four separate awards: first- and second-place faculty paper awards and first- and second-place student paper awards (both $150 and $75 respectively). The poster award will be given after the poster session and is based on the combined quality of the research and poster presentation. Students should clearly identify their papers as “student papers” in the submission process. Papers co-authored with faculty members do not qualify for the student competition.

Suggested paper topics include: Participatory journalism in political campaigns, independent/citizen media, civic mapping, community conversations, user comments, newsroom projects involving user content, entrepreneurial journalism with collaborative elements, legal and ethical issues in participatory journalism, crowdsourcing versus traditional “gatekeeping” models of journalism practice, news sharing and social media distribution, participatory journalism in a multicultural and/or multinational environment, participatory journalism and mobile/wearable/immersive technologies, history/philosophy of participatory media, economic elements of traditional media and their relationship to participatory journalism movements, the mission and meaning of “participatory” media, teaching journalism and media production in participatory contexts, and the use of polls, focus groups and other methods to report the news.

This year PJIG is co-sponsoring with the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, the Agora Journalism Center, Temple University, the Medill School of Journalism, and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism for a day-long preconference on engaged journalism on August 5th. The preconference will highlight new research and connect researchers with journalists and community members in an exploration of how they can more effectively share lessons learned and build collaborations. We invite scholars to submit papers (following the same requirements as PJIG) focusing on engaged approaches to news production. These topics can include, but are not limited to (1) The relationship between journalists and communities/audiences (i.e., audience engagement, trust building initiatives, membership and crowd-sourced revenue models, etc.); (2) participatory journalism, public-powered journalism, citizen journalism; and (3) efforts to increase representation of diverse race, gender, class, and ideological perspectives in news production.

Submissions to both the preconference as well as the regular conference will go through a blind peer-review process. Manuscripts to be considered for the preconference should clearly state ‘pre-conference’ on the title page. Manuscripts not accepted for the preconference may be considered as part of general PJIG submissions.

Papers must be submitted in accordance with all requirements of AEJMC and its uniform paper call and electronic submission process. Paper length is limited to 25 pages, not including references, tables, figures or appendices. Font size should be 12 pt. with margins at least 1 inch on all sides. We accept papers in any academic formatting style. Papers should not have been published.

Please direct questions about general submission to PJIG Research Chair Rosie Jahng (jahng@wayne.edu) and questions about the preconference to PF&R Chair Andrea Wenzel (andrea.wenzel@temple.edu).

Authors should ensure that their papers do not contain identifying references. For a detailed explanation, please see “submitting a clean paper” under the uniform paper call on the AEJMC website. Submitters: Carefully check manuscripts for self-identifying information of any kind including self-citation, consulting the APA style guide directions on self-citation. Take every precaution to ensure that your self-citations DO NOT in any way reveal your identity. We urge you to submit at least two days before the deadline, so you can check your uploaded document for self-identifying information and resubmit prior to the deadline.

The award recognizes the best Ph.D. dissertation in the field of participatory journalism research and includes a monetary prize. Dissertations are eligible if successfully defended between Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019. The committee reserves the right not to grant the award in any given year.

How to nominate: 

1. Self-nominations are accepted as well as nominations by the dissertation chair/advisor. The nomination package includes four items: (1) the nominator’s cover letter, (2) an eight- to ten-page abstract summarizing the dissertation, (3) a PDF of the dissertation, and (4) the nominee’s CV.
2. If the dissertation is nominated by the dissertation advisor, the nomination letter should be submitted electronically by the nominator. All other materials should be submitted by the nominee.
3. The nomination letters, abstracts, dissertations and CVs must be submitted electronically as email attachments on or before 11:59 p.m. (Central), Feb. 29, 2020.  All four (4) items must be delivered electronically by the deadline to qualify for consideration.
4. Acknowledgements and other information that might identify the author, the adviser or the university must be removed from the dissertation PDF and the abstract. This includes references to the university where the dissertation was written that may appear in the text. Submissions containing identifying information in these files may be disqualified.
5. The full dissertation must be submitted in ONE single PDF  file.
6. A separate file comprising an extended (blind) eight- to ten-page abstract summarizing the dissertation must be submitted in ONE file (PDF, DOC, or DOCX). The abstract should be organized as follows with subheadings: (1) Introduction and problem statement; (2) Theoretical framework and key elements of previous research; (3) Method; (4) Findings; (5) Conclusion and discussion; (6) Statement of importance to the field.
   Nominees may wish to refer to AEJMC Nafziger-White-Salwen Dissertation Award and the judging criteria when writing their abstracts.
7. The nomination letter must include the nominee’s name, dissertation title and university affiliation.
8. “PJIG Dissertation Award [insert nominee’s last name]” must be used as the subject header for any and all correspondence in relation to the award.
9. Submissions will be acknowledged by email within 24 hours.
10. Non-electronic methods of submission (facsimile, standard mail, courier) are not available or acceptable.

Suggested dissertation topics include: Participatory journalism in political campaigns, independent/citizen media, civic mapping, community conversations, user comments, newsroom projects involving user content, entrepreneurial journalism with collaborative elements, legal and ethical issues in participatory journalism, crowdsourcing versus traditional “gatekeeping” models of journalism practice, news sharing and social media distribution, participatory journalism in a multicultural and/or multinational environment, participatory journalism and mobile/wearable/immersive technologies, history/philosophy of participatory media, economic elements of traditional media and their relationship to participatory journalism movements, the mission and meaning of “participatory” media, teaching journalism and media production in participatory contexts, and the use of polls, focus groups and other methods to report the news.

Send nominations and direct questions to Participatory Journalism Interest Group Research Co-Chair Rosie Jahng at Wayne State University, jahng@wayne.edu.

The Participatory Journalism Interest Group (PJIG) is now accepting panel proposals for the 2020 Convention in San Francisco, USA. August 6-9.

Deadline to submit Tuesday, September 25, 2019.

Panel Proposal Types: PJIG is accepting teaching, professional freedom and responsibility (PF&R), or research panel proposals. Please review guidelines for each type of proposal carefully and use the provided sample panel proposal to complete your submission. ​

Teaching panels: To discuss teaching ideas, challenges, innovations, technologies, etc. that are relevant to feminist teaching and/or considerations of gender in/out of the classroom.

• Teaching panels must address:

One of the following FOUR general areas identified by the AEJMC Standing Committee on Teaching Standards:

1. Curriculum development including the philosophy, design, and examination of issues, developments, and trends in journalism or global communication.
2. Leadership issues, especially the administrative and organizational efforts formulated to address the changes in the field of journalism and mass communication.
3. Course Content and Methods showcasing innovative teaching techniques and strategies.
4. Assessment reports highlighting diverse range of activities measuring the effectiveness of journalism education.

Professional Freedom and Responsibility panels should focus on one or more of the following areas: freedom of expression; ethics; media criticism & accountability; racial, gender and cultural inclusiveness; or public service.

Research panels should focus on original, innovative and trending research by a panel of experts on a topic related to international communication. PJIG welcomes research panel submissions on all topics related to national and international communication, but PJIG will give special consideration to proposed research panels that focus on the core interest of the group. 

You should submit your proposal to only one division, and we invite you to submit it to the PJIG. Considering that there are a limited number of conference slots available for our division, priority will be given to proposals that are relevant to the mission of PJIG. This includes proposals with institutional, regional, gender, and methodology diversity, which have confirmed co-sponsor(s) and adhere to submission guidelines. 

Send research panel proposals to:

Paromita Pain (paromita.pain@gmail.com) & Magda Konieczna (tug28686@temple.edu)

Proposal Format:

All proposals should be one-page in length (single-spaced) and include the following:

1. Panel title: Be creative and broad with your title – keep in mind current trending issues and the potential for attracting co-sponsors.
2. Panel type: A statement of whether the panel would be a Teaching, Research or Professional Freedom and Responsibility panel.
3. Panel Description: Describe clearly in one paragraph the key issues or subject matter to be addressed by the panelists.
4. Rationale for the Panel: Describe briefly why the panel’s topic is important.
5. Panel Sponsorship: Suggestions for divisions or interest groups that might be interested in co-sponsoring the panel. Please indicate whether you have been in touch with the potential co-sponsoring division, interest group, or commission. Panels including co-sponsoring divisions/interest groups/commissions have a better chance of being accepted, because they are likely to be of wider interest at the conference and give the division a chance to take part in more sessions.
6. Possible Panelists [about 3]: Names of proposed panelists, affiliation, demographic data (race, gender, ethnicity) and contact information for each (please indicate whether they have committed to participate). AEJMC tracks diversity among panelists, moderators and discussants, so please keep that in mind when planning. Limited funds for travel reimbursement are available for panel participants who are not AEJMC members. The deadline for those requests is late January. Whenever possible, please try to find local panelists or AEJMC members whom you expect will be attending the convention anyway.
7. Panel Moderator: Provide the name of the person who will moderate the panel (remember this can be you or someone you nominate).
8. Contact Person: Provide the name, affiliation, email, and phone number for the person proposing the panel.

Thank you, and we look forward to your submissions!

Paromita Pain (paromita.pain@gmail.com) & Magda Konieczna (tug28686@temple.edu)

The Participatory Journalism Interest Group, PJIG, invites research paper submissions for the 2019 AEJMC Conference, August 7-10 in Toronto, Canada.  The deadline for paper submissions is April 1, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. (CDT).

PJIG is interested in research that examines participatory journalism broadly defined as the use of digital tools and techniques to involve members of the public, sometimes called “citizens,” “users,” or “participants” in the production, dissemination, and sharing of news. If your paper concerns social media intersecting with news, comments on news sites, journalists’ perceptions of audiences, entrepreneurial media products where public contributions are involved, or independent publishing near the boundaries of institutional news, PJIG is the place for your paper. Quantitative and qualitative methods are respected equally, and we accept pedagogical papers as well.

Papers submitted will be eligible for four separate awards: first- and second-place faculty paper awards and first- and second-place student paper awards (both $150 and $75 respectively). The poster award will be given after the poster session and is based on the combined quality of the research and poster presentation. Students should clearly identify their papers as “student papers” in the submission process. Papers co-authored with faculty members do not qualify for the student competition.

Suggested paper topics include: Participatory journalism in political campaigns, independent/citizen media, civic mapping, community conversations, user comments, newsroom projects involving user content, entrepreneurial journalism with collaborative elements, legal and ethical issues in participatory journalism, crowdsourcing versus traditional “gatekeeping” models of journalism practice, news sharing and social media distribution, participatory journalism in a multicultural and/or multinational environment, participatory journalism and mobile/wearable/immersive technologies, history/philosophy of participatory media, economic elements of traditional media and their relationship to participatory journalism movements, the mission and meaning of “participatory” media, teaching journalism and media production in participatory contexts, and the use of polls, focus groups and other methods to report the news.

Papers must be submitted in accordance with all requirements of AEJMC and its uniform paper call and electronic submission process. Paper length is limited to 25 pages, not including references, tables, figures or appendices. Font size should be 12 pt. with margins at least 1 inch on all sides. We accept papers in any academic formatting style. Papers should not have been published.

Please direct questions to PJIG Research Chair Jeremy Littau (jjl409@lehigh.edu).

All submissions undergo a blind review process. Authors should ensure that their papers do not contain identifying references. For a detailed explanation, please see “submitting a clean paper” under the uniform paper call on the AEJMC website. Submitters: Carefully check manuscripts for self-identifying information of any kind including self-citation, consulting the APA style guide directions on self-citation. Take every precaution to ensure that your self-citations DO NOT in any way reveal your identity.  We urge you to submit at least two days before the deadline so you can check your uploaded document for self-identifying information and resubmit prior to the deadline.

The award recognizes the best Ph.D. dissertation in the field of participatory journalism research and includes a monetary prize. Dissertations are eligible if successfully defended between Sept. 1, 2017, and Aug. 31, 2018. The committee reserves the right not to grant the award in any given year.

How to nominate: 

1. Self-nominations are accepted as well as nominations by the dissertation chair/advisor. The nomination package includes four items: (1) the nominator’s cover letter, (2) an eight- to ten-page abstract summarizing the dissertation, (3) a PDF of the dissertation, and (4) the nominee’s CV.
2. If the dissertation is nominated by the dissertation advisor, the nomination letter should be submitted electronically by the nominator. All other materials should be submitted by the nominee.
3. The nomination letters, abstracts, dissertations and CVs must be submitted electronically as email attachments on or before 11:59 p.m. (Central), Jan. 18, 2019.  All four (4) items must be delivered electronically by the deadline to qualify for consideration.
4. Acknowledgements and other information that might identify the author, the adviser or the university must be removed from the dissertation PDF and the abstract. This includes references to the university where the dissertation was written that may appear in the text. Submissions containing identifying information in these files may be disqualified.
5. The full dissertation must be submitted in ONE single PDF  file.
6. A separate file comprising an extended (blind) eight- to ten-page abstract summarizing the dissertation must be submitted in ONE file (PDF, DOC, or DOCX). The abstract should be organized as follows with subheadings: (1) Introduction and problem statement; (2) Theoretical framework and key elements of previous research; (3) Method; (4) Findings; (5) Conclusion and discussion; (6) Statement of importance to the field.
   Nominees may wish to refer to AEJMC Nafziger-White-Salwen Dissertation Award and the judging criteria when writing their abstracts. Those criteria are listed here: http://www.aejmc.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NWS-Round1-Abstract-Scoring-Sheet.pdf
7. The nomination letter must include the nominee’s name, dissertation title and university affiliation.
8. “PJIG Dissertation Award [insert nominee’s last name]” must be used as the subject header for any and all correspondence in relation to the award.
9. Submissions will be acknowledged by email within 24 hours.
10. Non-electronic methods of submission (facsimile, standard mail, courier) are not available or acceptable.

Suggested dissertation topics include: Participatory journalism in political campaigns, independent/citizen media, civic mapping, community conversations, user comments, newsroom projects involving user content, entrepreneurial journalism with collaborative elements, legal and ethical issues in participatory journalism, crowdsourcing versus traditional “gatekeeping” models of journalism practice, news sharing and social media distribution, participatory journalism in a multicultural and/or multinational environment, participatory journalism and mobile/wearable/immersive technologies, history/philosophy of participatory media, economic elements of traditional media and their relationship to participatory journalism movements, the mission and meaning of “participatory” media, teaching journalism and media production in participatory contexts, and the use of polls, focus groups and other methods to report the news.

Send nominations and direct questions to Participatory Journalism Interest Group Research Co-Chair Rosie Jahng at Wayne State University, jahng@wayne.edu.

The Participatory Journalism Interest Group is now accepting panel proposals for the 2019 AEJMC Convention in Toronto from August 7-10.

The deadline for submission of panel proposals to PJIG is September 17, 2018.

Proposals must include:

• A working title and brief (300-400 words) and descriptive abstract for the panel. Please explain the problem you intend to explore on the panel and suggest possible avenues for discussion. Please also explain how you’ll involve the audience in the discussion.
• A statement of whether the panel would be a Teaching, Research or Professional Freedom and Responsibility (PF&R) panel. PF&R panels focus on free expression, ethics, media criticism and accountability, racial/gender/cultural inclusiveness or public service.
• Suggestions for divisions or interest groups that might be interested in co-sponsoring the panel
• Names of proposed panelists. Tell us also whether they’ve agreed to participate if the panel is chosen. Include an explanation of what each might offer the panel. Our goal this year is to have more coordination between panelists before the conference so that we can offer more coherent panels. Please explain how you’ll work to coordinate with panelists.
• Your name and e-mail address.
• Please send proposals as attached Word documents (.doc or .docx) or PDFs.

Submit to:

Magda Konieczna, Vice Head and Program Chair: magda@temple.edu

Tips for a successful proposal:

• Panels that include a strong suggestion of co-sponsoring divisions/interest groups/commissions have a better chance of being accepted because they are likely to be of wider interest at the convention.
• If your panel is chosen for presentation with a co-sponsoring division, interest group or commission you will work with a representative from the co-sponsor to make sure that the interests of both divisions/interest groups are represented.
• You should submit your proposal to only one division.
• AEJMC tracks diversity among panelists, moderators, and discussants, so please keep that in mind when planning.
• AEJMC can pay registration for non-members who will speak on a panel. Whenever possible, please try to find local panelists or AEJMC members whom you expect will be attending the convention anyway
• Our aim this year is to have more cohesive panels. A good strategy to make sure panelists have good preparation going into the panel will help your proposal.

The interest group’s main area of focus is participatory journalism broadly defined as journalistic work done in collaboration with “citizen journalists,” done on social media platforms, done via crowdsourcing, and/or relating to user/reader comments and how they may influence news work and news content. The interest group has antecedents in the study of the public journalism/civic journalism movement.

Selection of panel proposals for 2019 will be made based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of the proposal to PJIG
• Diversity of the proposal including race, ethnicity, institution, region, gender, method, etc.
• Originality and creativity of the proposal
• Potential for co-sponsorship with other AEJMC divisions or interest groups
• Number of panel proposals that the fit into the conference program

Recent panels have included:

• Taming the Trolls: Preparing Students to Deal with Harassment and Abuse Online (Teaching Panel with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Interest Group)
• The Proof is in the Picture: Verification Techniques for User-Generated Content (PF&R Panel with Media Ethics Divison)
• Defining Community and Participatory Journalism in the Social Media Era (Research Panel with Community Journalism Interest Group)
• Curious Chicago: Engaging Non-Professionals in the News Process (PF&R Panel with Media Management, Economics & Entrepreneurship Division)
• NativeMediaandWeb0—AreWeInteractiveYet? (PF&R Panel with Minorities and Communication Division)
• Media Literacy and Context: Breaking Through the Noise (Teaching Panel with Scholastic Journalism Division)

Thank you, and we look forward to your submissions!

Mark Coddington – PJIG Head

Magda Konieczna – Vice Head and Program Chair, magda@temple.edu

Paro Pain — Vice Head and Program Chair, paromita.pain@gmail.com