WRITING THE PRESS INTO HISTORY - CfP

The theme of Newspaper and Periodical History Forum of Ireland Conference, which will be held at the National Library of Ireland on 18-19 November 2011, is Writing the press into history. This theme examines how journalism and the press has been, and can be, integrated into wider political, economic, social and cultural histories. Given the growth in the number of scholars, both nationally and internationally, writing about the history of journalism and the press it is timely to examine critically what all this activity means for the relationship between writing about the press and mainstream national and transnational histories. Topics that conference papers might address include: 1) the role of the press in politics and diplomacy, 2) the journalist as historian or as participant / witness to historical events, 3) the business of newspapers & periodicals as part of the wider economy, 4) journalistic biography / autobiography, 5) the press as participant in, or its impact on, historical events, 6) writing press history, 7) using newspapers and periodicals as a source for historical research, and 8) the press and global / transnational history. There will be a special open session during the conference for early stage researchers, at which emerging scholars, who are researching any aspect of newspaper, periodical or journalism history, may present their research. To submit a proposal, please email a 500-word summary of your paper to the Forum secretary, Mark O’Brien, at nphficonference@gmail.com. Please also include a brief biographical note and please also indicate if you wish to participate in the session for early stage researchers. To join the Forum, please contact the membership secretary, Caroline Connolly, at caroline.connolly26@mail.dcu.ie. The closing date for submission of proposals is 31 May 2011.