More conferences...

The SocArts group had another one of their famous gatherings in November in Exeter, this time hosting Paul Atkinson of all things ethnographic fame. It was all very informal and lovely and all members in attendance shared with the big man our work and ideas. He was very cordial and helpful and then proceeded to impress us with polemics about his early career and ideas about the benefits and limits of ethnographic research. It is always fantastic to be in the presence of important figures who have influence your own work, but also important to realise that this next generation of researchers is just that, the next generation, with that entails.

I have recently been accepted to present at two conferences. First up is the rather wordy The Language of Art and Music: "An International Symposium on the Potential for Artistic Expression to Cross Cultural Barriers and the Relationship between Art, Culture and International Relations" in Berlin which takes place February 17-20. I will hopefully be attending with my colleague Arild Bergh and presenting the basics of my research to such illustrious guests as Dr. Alfredo Palacio (former president of Ecuador), Danny Trejo (of From Dusk till Dawn fame), Helena Bonham Carter, Jytte Hilden (former Minister of Culture in Denmark), Marcia Barrett (of Boney M fame) and Paco de Lucia (renowned flamenco guitarist). I'm not convinced that this audience is going to enjoy what I have  to say about this subject, but it should be fun. Berlin is great, anyway.

Finally, I will be presenting at BSA Annual Conference in London, April 6-8. The title of my presentation this time is Trying to be Normal: An Analysis of Musical Practices in Post-War Sarajevo. I best start writing this, I suppose. 

Music - Conflict - Transformation Symposium

I will be co-hosting a symposium on music and conflict transformation with my colleague Arild Bergh at the University of Exeter in May. Below is the call for contributions. If you are interested, please contact me on cr264@exeter.ac.uk. Feel free to share and re-post far and wide.

9th and 10th May 2011, University of Exeter, SocArts UK Call for contributions In the past decade there has been a growing interest in music and social conflict both inside and outside academia. Interdisciplinary research from music sociologists, ethnomusicologists, music psychologists and musicologists has focused on music’s dual use, both as a resource for conflict transformation and as a medium that can be used to incite conflict and channel violence. This research has also dovetailed with practical initiatives by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local communities, academics and individuals attempting to utilise music to avoid or transform conflicts. Together these activities are slowly improving our understanding of the interesting, and at times pivotal, functions of music related activities in conflict and post-conflict scenarios. However, it is clear that there is still a great deal of conceptual work to be done in this field if we are to understand the processes (negative as well as positive) that take place in and around music and conflict/conflict transformation. Similarly, there is as yet little empirical research available to elaborate this conceptual base. The time is ripe for increasing the dialogue between researchers, practitioners/musicians and participants with regards to work in this field. This symposium will explore these and related issues by providing a place for practitioners, researchers, musicians and other interested parties to present and discuss work concerned with music, conflict and conflict transformation. We especially encourage contributions from those working with music in connection with conflict or conflict transformation, whether in the context of NGOs, academia, (local) politics, mediation, music therapy, community or popular music around national, regional, urban or ethnic groups. Contributions may take the form of informal presentations, in-depth research papers or videos showcasing projects in this area but in all cases they should emphasise real life data to provide a rich context for further discussion. The annual SocArts symposia are deliberately kept small, informal and free to attend to ensure a positive and creative atmosphere, with time for informal discussions and food throughout the day. SocArts central position in international research on music in everyday life and our connections with researchers and research institutions worldwide means that these symposia provide ample benefits for the participants. Over the past seven years our symposia have brought together a broad spectrum of researchers, practitioners and musicians with many practical outcomes and networks emerging after the event. Attendants will also be able to spend time in the historic Cathedral city of Exeter which has grown from Roman origins and has a wonderful quayside. Accommodation details will be available.