The Social Media Technology Conference & Workshop

Founded in 2009, the Social Media Technology Conference & Workshop brings together scholars and professionals who are experts in the area of social media to share their perspectives on the shifting paradigm in the academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations orchestrated by digital and social media in this era of technological determinism. This one-day intensive is held each year at Howard University and combines panel discussions, posters sessions, roundtables and hands-on workshops designed to enlighten scholars and practitioners about social media and provide them with the knowledge to create and effectively utilize social media in different contexts.
 
The call for the 10th Annual Social Media Technology Conference & Workshop is below. 

Howard University

October 6, 2022

(Hybrid/In Person)

Call for Papers, Workshops and Panels

Understanding the Human Experience Impacted by Social Media

We mark the first decade of the Social Media Technology Conference & Workshop at Howard University by reflecting on the effects and impact of the Internet revolution, what McLuhan called in the 1960s the “extension of man.” Fifty years later, this extension has created a post-human virtual interaction that has unearthed both the negative and positive aspects of social media on our lives. Race, racialism and racism manifest themselves in cyberspace through several lenses most notably by hate, mendacity and death threats. Technology and social media scholar danah boyd recently pointed out that even as more information is available online than ever before, forces are pushing for the erasure of history or undoing scientific knowledge, making agnotology a tool of oppression that threatens the political and social gains of African Americans and other racialized minorities. Yet, social media, too, provide avenues for individuals to share, create and connect in ways that have never been available in the history of mankind. The purpose of this year’s conference is to highlight both the “good and the bad,” “ugly and beautiful” or “evil and nice” sides of social media. In our 10th year, it is the most opportune time to bring critical voices to the conference to debate, again, what truly is happening in our digital space.

Topics to be covered include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Digital platforms and educational curriculum challenges
  • African Americans and hate speech in social media
  • Cyberbullying 
  • Race and racism in cyberspace
  • Disinformation on the Internet
  • The Dark Web and its impact on individuals
  • All Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter on digital media
  • Gender Relations 
  • Facebook Groups and sharing experiences
  • Being heard on social media
  • Getting connected on social media
  • Creative spaces on social media
  • Metaverse
  • Race and Epistemologies of Ignorance 

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following categories are welcome:

Paper Submissions
Respondents for this category should submit a 3-5 page proposal that includes an overview of the study as well as research design that includes brief review of the literature, methodology and findings, if possible. All respondents in this paper category should clearly identify the submission type on their proposal and send the proposal through EasyChair by May 30, 2022 at the following site:​​​​​​ 

In addition to the proposal, a file should be uploaded with a 100-word abstract of the proposed paper as well as a 100-word biography for each author. Submission without the biography will not be accepted. Presenters will be notified by mid-July of the status of their submissions and should register to attend the conference by September 1, 2022.

Panel Submissions
Respondents should submit a 3-5 page proposal addressing the purpose of the panel and specific issue(s) to be covered. The proposal should include a list of the confirmed guests or those who will be solicited for the panel as well as their brief biographies. All respondents in this category should send the proposal through EasyChair by May 30, 2022 at the following site: 

In addition to the proposal, a file should be uploaded with a 100-word description of the proposed panel as well as a 100-word biography for each presenter. Submission without the biography will be rejected. Presenters will be notified by mid-July of the status of their acceptance and should register to attend the conference by September 1, 2022.

Workshop Submissions
Respondents should submit a 3-5 page proposal addressing the purpose of the workshop, details about the technology, social media trend or tool to be explored and what attendees will gain from attending it. Workshops are scheduled for 90 minutes, so content should be sufficient enough to fill the time slot. If applicable, the proposal should include a list of the confirmed guests or those who will be solicited for the workshops as well as their brief biographies. All respondents in this category should send the proposal through EasyChair by May 30, 2022 at the following site: 

In addition to the proposal, a file should be uploaded with a 100-word description of the proposed workshop as well as a 100-word biography accompanied by a photograph for each workshop presenter. Submission without the biography will be rejected. Presenters will be notified by mid-July of the status of their acceptance and should register to attend the conference by September 1, 2022.

Contacts
If you have any questions or need more information, please visit the conference website at https://socialmediatechnologyconference.com/ or send an email to the following organizers:

Dr. Kehbuma Langmia

klangmia@howard.edu

Professor Ingrid Sturgis

isturgis@howard.edu

Dr. Tia C. M. Tyree

ttyree@howard.edu