Call for Papers - Journal of Palestine Studies Special Issue on Media, Movements, and Liberation

The Institute for Palestine Studies is delighted to announce a call for research proposals and articles for the forthcoming special issue of the Journal of Palestine Studies, titled "What Lies Behind the Palestine Hashtag: Media, Social Movements, and Liberty." This exceptional initiative is being supervised by three esteemed guest editors: Dr. Gretchen King from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Saleh Masharqa, the research coordinator at the Media Development Center in Birzeit University, and Rana A. Sharif from the University of California.

In the intricate realm of media narratives, an enduring influence bolsters the Zionist settler-colonial project in Palestine. In response, Palestinians harness an array of media tools, ranging from traditional outlets like newspapers and broadcast media to contemporary platforms in art and social media. These platforms serve as a conduit for Palestinian voices, challenging the dominant Zionist narrative and garnering global support.

Throughout Palestinian history, media has played a pivotal role in their liberation struggle. In the era of the global digital revolution, we pose critical questions: How do various forms of media within Palestine and the diaspora contribute to Palestinian liberation? How does digital media literacy, storytelling, and diplomacy counter anti-Palestinian discrimination and combat the weaponization of anti-Semitism? What theoretical dimensions shape movement-centric media, including journalism and social media activism, reshaping discourse on Palestine? Media serves as a catalyst for inventive resistance, envisioning the future, and constructing alternative Palestinian social frameworks.

This call centers on the utilization of media by Palestinians during the shift towards building a national liberation movement. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including digital media education, digital narratives, digital diplomacy, resistance against digital racism targeting Palestinians, addressing the concept of antisemitism, digital challenges in Palestine, and the impact of new media concepts on the Palestinian discourse. This endeavor seeks to push the boundaries of scholarship and pedagogy within the realm of social movement media studies in the Palestinian context. We extend a warm invitation for contributions authored in both English and Arabic, and we encourage collaborations with Palestinian scholars, researchers, and media practitioners based within Palestine or its diaspora, fostering an inclusive and diverse dialogue. To read the complete call for papers, please visit: https://shorturl.at/tBLP8

Selected articles will be featured in a special edition of the Journal of Palestine Studies, dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between media and the establishment of a liberation movement in Palestine.

We invite researchers to submit their abstracts by November 20, 2023, with the expectation of completing full articles by March 1, 2024, using the following link: https://shorturl.at/aCGN8

We look forward to receiving your insightful contributions and engaging in a meaningful dialogue on the vital role of media in the Palestinian context.