Abstract

This roundtable discussion marks the launch of a call for papers for a project on Digital Publics and Counterpublics in Africa (coordinated by George Karekwaivanane, Stephanie Diepeveen and Sharath Srinivasan). Roundtable speakers will reflect on key themes that the project addresses.

Summary of the Call for Papers:

Over the last decade Africa has been experiencing what has commonly been referred to as a ‘digital revolution’ driven in no small measure by the rapid spread of mobile telephony. However, scholarly research has struggled to keep pace with these fast changing and diverse developments, as well as their attendant social, political and economic impacts. This Special Issue, intended for submission to the Journal of Eastern African Studies, takes up this challenge to understand how the rapid spread of digital technology is reshaping social, political and economic life in Eastern and Central Africa. In particular, it focuses on the range of publics and counterpublics that have been convoked by means of digital media. We invite paper proposals from a range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) politics, media studies, history and anthropology.

If you are interested in contributing to the special issue, please submit your proposed title, with an abstract of 300-500 words to digitalpublics@gmail.com by 29 February 2016.

Further details: https://www.academia.edu/19685195/Digital_Publics_and_Counterpublics_in_Africa_-_Call_for_Papers