Call for contributions: Join us for the 4th edition of the #JournoSafe FlashTalks focusing on journalism safety in Africa –  a space for academics and civil society organisations to exchange research ideas to address journalism safety problems as part of the establishment of regional working groups.

Following on from the successful hosting of its first three #JournoSafe FlashTalks events, the Journalism Safety Research Network (JSRN) is pleased to announce that a 4th edition of the FlashTalks will be held on 28 February 14:00 GMT. The event will be held online. 

More information about the event

The #JournoSafe FlashTalks serve as an informal space for representatives from civil society organisations and academic researchers to share thoughts on research ideas and current knowledge gaps related to problems of the safety of journalists. Participating in the event will also provide an opportunity to connect with the JSRN wider and global membership of over 200 academics and civil society representatives.  

This round of the FlashTalks will focus on journalism safety in Africa. Following the conclusion of the Academic Consultation on the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (UNAP), the Global Academic Community (GAC) highlighted the importance of hosting events to exchange knowledge on journalism safety issues in regions across the globe. The FlashTalk series reflects this call from the GAC, with this session focusing on journalism safety in Africa. 

The session will also provide a chance to discuss the creation of a regional working group (RWG). The aim of the RWG is to provide a space for members to connect and network. It is intended to support the building of research capacity and quality and facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between academics as well as between civil society organisations and policy makers.

Presentations on any matter relevant to the safety of journalists in Africa are welcome. Topics could for instance include legal and other forms of protection mechanisms, gender dimensions, online aggressions and attacks, psychological, practitioner and educational issues. For examples of more possible topics please see UNESCO’s Research agenda on the Safety of Journalists. 

Participants will be invited to prepare a max. three-minute FlashTalk based on one of the below options:

• A research idea/question (this can be based on ongoing research or an idea for future research) and a discussion on how this research idea addresses concrete problems related to the safety of journalists. 

• An existing knowledge gap related to issues of the safety of journalists alongside ideas for what kind of research would be needed to address said knowledge gap. 

The session will run for one hour and will consist of a series of presentations and there will be time for questions and discussion between participants.

The deadline for submitting a proposal for a three-minute flash talk is 20 February. Selected participants will be informed by 24 February.

To submit a proposal please email Dr Gemma Horton, Impact Fellow for the Centre for Freedom of the Media (gemma.horton@sheffield.ac.uk) for a form to complete.