[Discussion] Identity and Cultures in Cyberspace

[Gonul Pultar]

Miami University's Center for Interactive Media Studies presents its
fourth annual conference,

"2003 Interactive Media Forum: Identity and Cultures in Cyberspace"
to be held at Marcum Conference Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
October 27 & 28, 2003

This year's conference pushes the discussion of interactivity into the
spheres of human interaction and creativity. At a basic level, we'd like
to understand how people are reading, creating, communicating, learning,
and interacting on the Internet. Beyond that, we'll branch into more
theoretical discussion on the premise that the Internet has been
described as a placeless society with unique and characteristic
cultures. characteristic cultures. This conference would seek to pose
and answer these (and other) questions:
¯ What are these cultures and what is going on in their "space?"
¯ What are their distinctive qualities, characteristics, ethics, and
values?
¯ How are these cultures created and mediated and what are the
identities of their members?
¯ Are any academic and institutional cultures being created (or
recreated) around digital media?
¯ How has the Internet changed the more conventional "cultures" in which
we spend our daily lives?

CALL FOR PAPERS
Submissions
We invite abstracts on any aspect of interactivity with regard to the
use of digital technology and Internet cultures. We especially encourage
submissions on the current state of the art in Humanities computing and
on creativity in the interactive/academic space. Anticipated topics
include, but are not limited to:
¯ The cultural effect of the Internet and digital media
¯ The institutional role of digital media within the contemporary
academy, including curriculum development
¯ Theoretical or speculative treatments of new media
¯ Interactive communication forums, such as blogs, e-mail, instant
messaging, etc.
¯ E-mail culture
¯ Ethnographics of the Internet
¯ Human-computer interaction
¯ Digital narrative

Types of Proposals
Submissions may be of two types: papers or presentations.

Papers
Proposals for papers should describe original work: either completed
research which has given rise to substantial results, or the development
of significant new methodologies, or rigorous theoretical, speculative,
or critical discussions. Individual papers will be allocated 90 minutes
for presentation, including questions.

Presentations
Proposals should be for multimedia presentations that include a digital
media aspect. This can include presentations of new literary endeavors,
artistic performances, or online displays. Proposals should provide a
brief abstract of the work (including any relevant online links that may
help describe the work), identify research behind it, and communicate
the resources that would be required for the presentation space.
Presentations would be allocated 90 minutes, including discussion.


Submission Format
To apply, please send the following to cims@muohio.edu by June 13, 2003:
¯ Proposed title and abstract
¯ Current vitae
¯ Contact information including e-mail, phone number, and mailing
address

Acceptance requires:
¯ Submission of complete paper or description of presentation by
September 5, 2003
¯ Presentation of papers or presentation at the 2003 Interactive Media
Forum at Miami University on October 27 and 28
¯ Please note that all papers and presentations must be given in
English.

For speakers who are accepted, a registration fee of $125 is required
for registration and conference meals; lodging and travel costs are
additional. Applicants will be notified of final selection by June 30,
2003.

If you have any questions, please submit them to cims@muohio.edu or call
513-529-1637.