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.