International conference celebrates communities and connections
A virtual event celebrating what brings communities together around the world is being hosted by Staffordshire University this week.
Interdisciplinary conference and festival ‘Communities and Communication’ takes place on Saturday 24 April following a year which has seen digital communication thrive.
The event will explore the ways in which communities start, develop and grow, what is created within those groups and how real connections are built within the virtual environment.
Dr Agata Lulkowska, Steph Steventon and Dr Sharon Coleclough from the Staffordshire University’s Department of Media and Performance have organised the conference.
Agata, a Senior Lecturer in Film Production, explained: "The idea for this event emerged in early 2020 as we were entering into the unknown of what later developed into a full-blown pandemic. The community is a concept which is at once decreasing and increasing, as we move away from real-world connections to online ones.
“Coming from a perspective of practice-based researchers, we discussed the links between academia and the creative world, and we thought of the importance of connections – between disciplines, between cultures and between people. The idea of our hybrid-event was born.”
The programme features contributions from musicians, artists, filmmakers and researchers from a range of disciplines, with the event comprising six panel discussions, ten poster presentations and 30 film screenings.
Keynote speakers include multidisciplinary award-winning visual artist Juan DelGado and revered classical guitarist Zane Forshee who is Chair of Professional Studies and Director Peabody LAUNCHPad at Johns Hopkins University. From closer to home, is Community Manager at YMCA North Staffs Nichola Twemlow who plays a key role in the North Staffs Cultural Education Partnership and Stoke Creates.
Agata said: "We did not expect such a spectacular response to our call for submissions. Between films and papers, we received nearly 2,500 applications from 105 countries. It was clear that there is a need for a positive reminder about what brings us all together and the importance of communities and connections in the contemporary world.
“With some exquisite keynote speakers and special guests, we have no doubt the first edition of our event will be a great success and we look forward to welcoming guests from across the globe.”
‘Communities and Communication’ takes place on Saturday 24 April 2021 – book your free place.
Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.
We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020.
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.
