What: International Sociological Association (ISA), XVII World Congress of Sociology + Thematic Group on Visual Sociology (TG05)
Where + When: Gothenburg, Sweden, 11-17 July 2010
Submission Deadline: DECEMBER 28th, 2009 (ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH)

Program Coordinators
Dennis Zuev, Siberian Federal University, Russia
Regev Nathansohn, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, USA

The Visual Sociology Thematic Group is planning to run 4 sessions at the ISA World Congress in Goteborg, 2010, as well as its first business meeting. The overall goal of the sessions is to connect discussions on theoretical and practical aspects of the analysis of visual data in online and offline social domains. We are looking for the papers from individuals interested in the development of new methods of socio-visual research, and new ways of thinking and imagining the visual. Suggested topic areas could be: the use of visual tools and their effect on interaction in the research setting; connections between visual technology and social research methods; the quality of visual data versus other forms of data (such as textual and oral); and theoretical innovations relating the visual to contemporary sociological changes. Papers which reflect on personal experiences of using visual methods in social research can also be submitted.

Session 1: Collecting and Producing Visual Data and Methods of Analysis

This session is dedicated to a discussion concerning visual data collected and/or produced in the field, and an elaboration on the relevant methods of analysis. Some of the questions that could be addressed are: What is the added value of visual methods to the sociological research? What kind of opportunities and obstacles are involved in a visually-centered method? What are the moral and ethical dilemmas embedded in such methods?

Session 2: Socio-Cultural Locus of the Visual

This session is dedicated to contemporary and historical analysis of the socio cultural locus of the visual. Papers in this session may deal with questions relating to the ways by which the visual is produced, used and disseminated in contemporary and historical socio-cultural settings; What can a cross-cultural research contribute to our understanding of the visual? In what ways does The Visual differ from other means of communication and meanings conveying?

Session 3: Visualizing Virtuality: Intersection of Visual and Virtual Domains

In this session we wish to focus on analyzing the intersections of the Internet use as the archival repository of visual data for virtual self-presentations of offline individuals and organizations. The section is aimed at the analysis of visual data in the Internet and visual analysis of its various interfaces.

Session 4: The Visual on the Move

The goal of this section is to deal with questions relating to the spatio-temporal aspects of visualities and visualizations. How can a focus on the visual sphere contribute to contemporary sociological theories? What is sociologically determined in the visual and what remains in flux? What aspects of human action and imagination correspond with the visual?

Session 5: Business Meeting

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Please be aware that we are flexible and open to all submissions, so do not hesitate to send your proposal if you think it will fit into one of the streams. Please note that one of the primary requirements for submissions is that the visual data presented is used as evidence to support theoretical/methodological assumptions and not as mere embellishment.

In order to fully represent the breadth of worldwide visual curiosity, we wish to encourage presentations in various languages. However, your proposals must be written in (or translated to) English. To facilitate multilingual sessions, please let us know what language you prefer to use in your oral presentation, and whether you can assist us in translating others’ presentations to/from English.

Approximate time for each presentation is 15 minutes.

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH, AND RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 28th, 2009, SO THAT SELECTIONS CAN BE MADE IN TIME FOR THE ISA 2010 CONGRESS DEADLINE. Please expect our reply by February 1st, 2010.

Once your proposal is approved, you must then submit your full paper (of approximately 20 pages, in English) by May 20th 2010.

To submit a paper please send an abstract of 300-400 words to both of the following emails, putting “ISA2010 Vis-Soc” in the subject line:

Dennis Zuev: tungus66@gmail.com AND Regev Nathansohn: regev@umich.edu

Be sure to include the following information when submitting your abstract:

Title, Name, Institution, Session title, Preferred presentation language,

Can assist in translating from _______ _______ to: _______ ________

Thank you