Conference Sessions

The Conference sessions are listed below in alphabetical order.  Use the search box above to find sessions by keyword. Additional events are being added and session information is subject to change.

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(ITD3a) Internet, Technology, & Social Movements I

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This session presents a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic interplay between digital technologies and activism across various global contexts such as Iran, China, and Ecuador. This multidisciplinary investigation encompasses the study of state repression mechanisms, including digital surveillance and disinformation, and the innovative, decentralized digital mobilization strategies employed by activists worldwide. Overall, the session offers a rich tapestry of research that not only highlights the transformative power of digital tools in activism but also the complex challenges activists face in different political and social contexts. By weaving together these diverse strands of research, the session aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of digital activism and its implications for the future of social movements and public discourse.

Organizer: Andrey Kasimov, McMaster University

(ITD3b) Internet, Technology, & Social Movements II

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The session offers an insightful exploration into the complex relationship between digital media and social movements, examining how digital platforms influence activism, identity formation, and the radicalization processes within varied social and political contexts. Together, these abstracts weave a narrative that underscores the dual role of digital media as both a facilitator of social movements and a catalyst for radicalization. They shed light on the nuanced ways in which digital platforms shape collective identities, enable the global dissemination of activist movements, and impact the dynamics of radicalization and resistance within organizations. This session promises to provide a rich discussion on the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age for activism, identity formation, and the fight against extremism.

Organizer: Andrey Kasimov, McMaster University

(ITD4) Experiences in the Cyber-Field

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The Internet provides a rich platform for sociological investigation and while the unique affordances of digital data are abundant, there remain ambiguities and questions regarding processes for effectively engaging in online qualitative research. As such, this session offers researcher reflections on their experiences in the “cyber-field”, including insights on the methodological and ethical challenges or dilemmas that emerge during the course of collecting, analyzing, and reporting on digital data associated with ethnographic, interview, and discourse analytic approaches. The presentations may also involve discussions of the empirical findings that have resulted from innovative ways of conducting qualitative research on social media platforms, with online communities, or in other technology-mediated spaces.

Organizers: Michael Adorjan, University of Calgary, Andrew Nevin, University of Massachusetts Boston

(ITD5a) Work, Play, Display I: Exploring the Shifting Landscape of Time, Media, and Technology in Post-Pandemic Society

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This session welcomes inquiries into the intertwined narratives of work, leisure, media, time, and technology, notably against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore the shifting digital landscape where the boundaries between work, leisure, and social connections have been redrawn. We invite submissions that examine: Changing Temporalities: How have media consumption and leisure activities evolved with the rise of remote work? What are the new challenges and opportunities in managing time between professional and personal spheres? Connectivity and Social Dynamics: How have digital platforms bridged or widened gaps in social relations? What roles have they played in forging new modes of work and leisure engagement, especially among diverse groups? Identity in Digital Spaces: How are individuals navigating identity, self-disclosure, and civic participation amidst the blur of work and leisure in online realms? Media Narratives: How have media discourses shaped public perceptions and behaviours towards work and leisure during and post-pandemic? What has been the impact on solitary and communal activities, both online and offline? Power Structures: How do media and technological narratives influence access and experiences in both work and leisure contexts, especially amidst a global crisis? We welcome contributions from scholars, researchers, and practitioners engaging with these themes from various sociological, interdisciplinary, and equity-focused lenses. Submissions reflecting on publishing, collaboration, mentorship, and evolving academic structures are also encouraged. This session aims to spark discussions on the contemporary challenges and transformations in the post-pandemic world, setting a platform for future explorations. We anticipate engaging contributions that dissect the complex interplay of media, technology, work, and leisure, shedding light on the evolving social dynamics in these uncertain times.

Organizers: Spencer Huesken, Queen’s University, Christian De Vrij, Queen’s University

(ITD5b) Work, Play, Display II: Exploring the Shifting Landscape of Time, Media, and Technology in Post-Pandemic Society

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This session welcomes inquiries into the intertwined narratives of work, leisure, media, time, and technology, notably against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore the shifting digital landscape where the boundaries between work, leisure, and social connections have been redrawn. We invite submissions that examine: Changing Temporalities: How have media consumption and leisure activities evolved with the rise of remote work? What are the new challenges and opportunities in managing time between professional and personal spheres? Connectivity and Social Dynamics: How have digital platforms bridged or widened gaps in social relations? What roles have they played in forging new modes of work and leisure engagement, especially among diverse groups? Identity in Digital Spaces: How are individuals navigating identity, self-disclosure, and civic participation amidst the blur of work and leisure in online realms? Media Narratives: How have media discourses shaped public perceptions and behaviours towards work and leisure during and post-pandemic? What has been the impact on solitary and communal activities, both online and offline? Power Structures: How do media and technological narratives influence access and experiences in both work and leisure contexts, especially amidst a global crisis? We welcome contributions from scholars, researchers, and practitioners engaging with these themes from various sociological, interdisciplinary, and equity-focused lenses. Submissions reflecting on publishing, collaboration, mentorship, and evolving academic structures are also encouraged. This session aims to spark discussions on the contemporary challenges and transformations in the post-pandemic world, setting a platform for future explorations. We anticipate engaging contributions that dissect the complex interplay of media, technology, work, and leisure, shedding light on the evolving social dynamics in these uncertain times.

Organizers: Spencer Huesken, Queen’s University, Christian De Vrij, Queen’s University