CFP: Conference “The international perspective on a radio centenary”

7-8 November 2019  – Hilversum, the Netherlands

On 6 November 2019 the Netherlands will celebrate 100 years of radio. This date sees the 100th anniversary of the first transmission of a previously publicized radio broadcast, the first in a series by the radio station founded by inventor Hanso Idzerda. It marked the beginning of the extraordinary large number of broadcasting activities as we know them today. Radio has been tremendously significant for society and culture in the last century, and it is predicted that it will continue to play a major role albeit in a constantly changing context. Indeed, radio has survived and thrived in the last 100 years by continuously adapting to changing social, cultural and technological circumstances.

The academic endeavours to reconstruct and explain the position of radio through a historical lens enable us to consider the medium’s future. Doing so helps us to reflect on the development of a new and unknown technology towards a mainstream medium that is primarily powerful due to ‘connectivity’: its ability to connect people from all walks of life in various locations and situations. Its strength to connect those with different backgrounds, identities and tastes suggests that radio has a new and vital future in the digital age of interactive media and narrowcasting technology.

The centenary celebration takes place at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum that houses a wealth of archive material related to Dutch radio history. The celebration includes an international conference on 7 and 8 November 2019 focusing on international perspectives on radio.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Prof. Kate Lacey and Prof. Michele Hilmes.

We welcome proposals for individual presentations from radio scholars and practitioners on radio in any country/region on the following themes:

• International radio
• Radio news
• Radio music
• Radio sport
• The future of radio research

Please send a 150-200 word abstract before 1 May 2019 by email to Anya Luscombe, a.luscombe@ucr.nl

Organizing committee:

Prof. Huub Wijfjes – University of Groningen/University of Amsterdam

Dr. Vincent Kuitenbrouwer – University of Amsterdam

Dr. Anya Luscombe – Utrecht University