Call for contributions: Join us for the 3rd edition of the #JournoSafe FlashTalks –  a space for academics and civil society organisations to exchange research ideas to address journalism safety problems.

The #JournoSafe FlashTalks, hosted by the Journalism Safety Research Network (JRSN), serve as an informal space for representatives from civil society organisations and academic researchers to share thoughts on research ideas and current knowledge gaps related to problems of the safety of journalists. Participating in the event will also provide an opportunity to connect with the JSRN wider and global membership of over 200 academics and civil society representatives.  

This round of the FlashTalks will focus on journalism safety in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). Following the conclusion of the Academic Consultation on the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (UNAP), the Global Academic Community (GAC) highlighted the importance of hosting events to exchange knowledge on journalism safety issues in regions across the globe. Upcoming FlashTalks will reflect this call from the GAC, firstly focusing on the MENA region. 

Presentations on any matter relevant to the safety of journalists in the MENA region are welcome. Topics could for instance include legal and other forms of protection mechanisms, gender dimensions, online aggressions and attacks, psychological, practitioner and educational issues. For examples of more possible topics please see UNESCO’s Research agenda on the Safety of Journalists. 

Participants will be invited to prepare a max. three-minute FlashTalk based on one of the below options:

• A research idea/question (this can be based on ongoing research or an idea for future research) and a discussion on how this research idea addresses concrete problems related to the safety of journalists. 

• An existing knowledge gap related to issues of the safety of journalists alongside ideas for what kind of research would be needed to address said knowledge gap. 

The session will run for one hour and will consist of a series of presentations and there will be time for questions and discussion between participants.

The deadline for submitting a proposal for a three-minute flash talk is 1st December. Selected participants will be informed by 5th December.

Please email gemma.horton@sheffield.ac.uk for further information and the form to submit a proposal.