Stream Convener: Kadija George (Independent Researcher; Fulbright Visiting Scholar 2025-2026) kadijageorge@gmail.com
How do we understand the cultural and social traditions and mores of African people on the continent and in the diaspora through print networks?
What methods can we use for the effective analyse of these within often neglected source material to deepen our exploration and knowledge of Black history?
The stream welcomes presentations not only on main feature stories which highlight the significance of observing African history through the gaze of black print, but how methodologies are used to analyse content and print production. Presentations on all and any aspects of print: from the covers to the classified ads, from colour to cartoons are welcome. Any or all aspects of magazine production can be considered from design to marketing; theoretical perspectives from aesthetics (such as Roland Barthes), to material culture (such as Leah Price).
This stream seeks to draw attention to the overt and covert nuances of cultural and social histories in texts which are too often considered as ephemera, yet which tell stories that are evergreen.
Presentations can focus on magazines, zines or newsletters, from any country on the continent or the African diaspora in any language. Print material in other languages should be accompanied by a visual presentation with English sub-titles.
Scholars are invited to examine these suggestions and bring forth their own in order to illuminate the dynamism of African social and cultural histories through print networks.
Please contact Kadija Geroge if you plan to submit an abstract/panel to this stream kadijageorge@gmail.com
