Call for participants: Critical Waves

Are you a postgraduate research student or early career researcher interested in exploring the experimental potential of radio in academic research?

Critical Waves aims to inspire creative approaches to academic research through an innovative series of talks and events, in person and on air, delivered by Birkbeck College in partnership with the ICA and Resonance 104.FM.

The internet and streaming technology have propelled us into a new era of radio. Recording devices on laptops and phones, free online audio-editing software, podcasts and internet-radio mean that producing and broadcasting radio content has never been easier. Drawing upon radio’s legacy as a forum for radical thought and experimentation, Critical Waves explores the potential of radio in academic research today.

There are 35 places available for current post-graduate research students and early career researchers to attend two days of talks and workshops taking place at the ICA and Birkbeck College in March and April 2015, which will offer inspiration and advice on radio production. Both events are free to attend and a light lunch will be provided. In response to the events participants will be expected to independently produce their own short radio programmes based on elements of their research.

Critical Waves at the ICA, Thursday 26^th March 2015 11am – 4pm

This conference aims to inspire researchers to consider strategies for presenting their research that are more innovative than simply reading papers aloud. Artists and academics will discuss how they use the voice as a creative material in their work, touching on how the voice can enhance or disrupt content, the politics of the voice and authorship, and what it might mean to speak with someone else’s voice.

Speakers include artists Sam Belinfante, Iris Garrelfs, Marc Herbst and Aura Satz, amongst others.

Critical Waves at Birkbeck College, Monday 20^th April 2015 10am – 4pm

Following the more theoretical day of presentations at the ICA, this day of workshops and discussions considers radio’s importance today and offers practical advice on how to translate research into exciting radio content. Speakers will describe their experiences of transforming academic research into radio shows, and workshops and technical advice will help get participants ready to independently produce their own short programmes.

Speakers include Tim Markham, Head of Media and Cultural Studies, Birkbeck College, and Juliette Kristensen, academic and producer of Paperweight Radio, amongst others.

Critical Waves on Resonance 104.4FM, May- June 2015 (date tbc)

In response to the events at Birkbeck and the ICA participants will independently produce their own ten-minute radio programmes based on elements of their research. All the programmes will be made available online, and a curated selection will be showcased on Resonance 104.4FM during two live radio conversations led by conference participants.

Join us! To apply please submit a 100-word statement explaining why you are interested in attending Critical Waves, detailing your institution (if any, for early career researchers) and if you are in receipt of an AHRC-funded studentship. A limited number of places will be prioritised for students funded by AHRC studentships. Send applications to criticalwavesradio@gmail.com

Deadline for applications is Monday 2nd March 2015

N.B. Successful applicants are expected to commit to attending the events at both the ICA and Birkbeck, and to independently producing a 10-minute podcast on an element of their research.

For more information visit  https://criticalwavesradio.wordpress.com