Co-ordinator: Bridget Griffen-Foley
Macquarie University
26 September 2008
As the field of Australian media history expands, so too does the need for a broader and more innovative range of questions, issues and debates. We wish to move beyond the typical preoccupation with the history of Australian media production to consider the history of media reception—reading, listening and viewing.
The Centre for Media History at Macquarie University is hosting a one-day colloquium in Sydney on 26 September 2008 on histories of Australian media reception. Subsides for early career researchers and postgraduate students from interstate to participate in the colloquium may be offered. Refereed articles drawn from this colloquium will form the basis of a special issue of Media International Australia in May 2009.
Scholars working on Australian press, radio, television, film and Internet history are invited to offer papers for the colloquium and/or the special MIA issue. Both general articles, and specific case studies, are welcome. Questions that could be considered include: How do we research reception history? What sources can we use? With what kinds of activities were audience members engaged? How did the introduction of new media technologies affect audience experiences? How can we deal with media audiences both quantitatively and qualitatively? How might the study of Australian media reception change understandings of the history of Australian media production and, more broadly, the field of Australian media studies?
As the field of Australian media history expands, so too does the need for a broader and more innovative range of questions, issues and debates. Scholars involved with the new Centre for Media History at Macquarie University joined with the Media Histories Node to move beyond the preoccupation with the history of Australian media production and consider the history of media reception—reading, listening and viewing. Histories of Australian Media Reception: A Colloquium was held at the State Library of New South Wales on 26 September 2008.
Twenty-one scholars, including 9 CRN members, c. 6 Higher Degree Research students and 2 recipients of CRN subsidies for HDR students and Early Career Researchers, participated in the invitation-only event. The colloquium brought together scholars from a range of disciplines; the standard of papers and commentary was high; and more junior scholars were provided with a valuable networking opportunity. A selection of papers, edited by Michelle Arrow, Bridget Griffen-Foley and Marnie Hughes-Warrington, will appear in the May 2009 issue of Media International Australia.
 |