Sixth Annual Chinese Internet Research Conference in HKU
Sixth Annual Chinese Internet Research Conference:
“China and the Internet: Myths and Realities”
Journalism and Media Studies Centre
University of Hong Kong
June 13-14, 2008
Since the mid-1990s, Internet usage in China has grown very rapidly. As of September 2007, China boasted 172 million Internet users, the world’s second largest, behind only the United States, and 523 million mobile phone users, by far the largest in the world. To track these developments, the Annual Chinese Internet Research Conference (CIRC) brings together academic scholars, policy analysts, industry leaders, journalists and legal practitioners from around the world.
This year, for the first time, this prestigious conference will take place in Hong Kong, China. As the attention of the world will be focused upon the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games, this timely event will explore the political, social, economic, cultural and institutional aspects of Internet development in China. With simultaneous translation in English and Mandarin, the event will be of great interest to anybody who studies Internet developments in China.
The conference theme, “China and the Internet: Myths and Realities,” calls attention to scholarly work that helps to separate fact from fiction about the Internet in China. Does the Internet bring more democracy to the country? Is there freedom of expression on the Internet? Does the Internet foster greater integration of China and its diaspora? Do the Chinese use the Internet for entertainment only?
The conference will also feature the latest empirical research, as well as qualitative and critical studies of the meaning of information technologies in the Chinese world.
The conference is organized and hosted by the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong .
Conference co-organizers include: the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake University Law School, the Institute for Pacific Asia at Texas A & M University, the Singapore Internet Research Center (SIRC) at Nanyang Technological University, and the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University. Past conferences were held at Texas A & M University, Nanyang Technological University, Michigan State University, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication.
PAPER SUBMISSIONS:
We welcome proposals for presentations from all disciplines. Proposals can be submitted in Chinese or English. Empirical, qualitative, and critically oriented submissions are welcome. Invited papers willbuild upon the conference theme or address other significant issues regarding Internet development, use, and impacts in China and the Chinese-speaking world.
A proposal of approximately 1500 words is due by March 1, 2008. Submissions should be sent via email to Kristy Chan at khlchan@hku.hk (please include “CIRC” in the subject line).
The proposals will be reviewed on a rotating basis, after which authors will be notified of acceptance decision by the end of March. Conference participants are encouraged to submit full papers by May 10, 2008.
STUDENT AWARDS:
Following a tradition of this conference, graduate students may submit papers for the Annual Best Graduate Student Paper Award. Cash prizes will be given to the winner or winners. To qualify, submissions need to be full conference papers written in English or Chinese and authored by or co-authored among graduate students. Deadline for submission is also May 10, 2008.
LOGISTICS AND COSTS:
All participants are responsible for their own travel expenses. A limited number of travel subsidies may be available for graduate students and presenters who lack sufficient funds. To register for the conference, and for more information, please visit the conference website at http://jmsc.hku.hk/circ.
Lodging: Limited discounted accommodation will be arranged on or near campus on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see the conference website or contact Kristy Chan (e-mail below) for further updates.
Travel: The University of Hong Kong is in Pokfulam, on the Northwest side of Hong Kong Island, roughly a 10-minute taxi ride from the Hong Kong Airport Express station in Central.
ABOUT THE JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES CENTRE:
Founded in 1999, the Journalism and Media Studies Centre (JMSC) is a teaching and research unit at The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s oldest university. The JMSC offers professional undergraduate and graduate journalism degrees, research programs leading to M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees, and professional programs for working journalists and executives.
The JMSC is committed to the pursuit of excellence in journalism and supporting Asian voices in the international media. JMSC’s activities, such as the Media Law Project and the China Media Project, strive to promote civil society and an informed citizenry through a vibrant and professional news media. The JMSC works in partnership with Hong Kong University faculties and departments and a vast network of professional groups in Hong Kong, China and beyond. For more about the JMSC please see: http://jmsc.hku.hk
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG:
The University of Hong Kong was founded in 1911 and is the first and foremost tertiary institution in Hong Kong. It is a comprehensive and research-led university, currently ranked No. 18 amongst the world’s top 200 universities and 2nd in Asia by the Times Higher Education Supplement. The University has a comprehensive range of study programmes and research disciplines, with 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 50 countries, and a complement of 1,200 academic members of staff, many of whom are internationally renowned.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rebecca MacKinnon or Kristy Chan,
Journalism and Media Studies Centre, University of Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 28591155; Fax: (852) 28588736; Email: khlchan@hku. hk
Conference website: http://jmsc. hku.hk/circ
