Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information will host the 12th Annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies (SAMCS) Conference on January 29 and 30. The event brings together researchers, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to discuss topics such as journalism challenges, cultural preservation, demographic media engagement, and identity through media in South Asia.
The theme for this year is “Resilience and Renewal: Tradition, Innovation, and Media Futures in South Asia.” The conference aims to examine how media and communications help preserve identity, share knowledge, and respond to change in various communities across South Asia.
Two keynote speakers are scheduled for the event. Michael R. Ogden, dean emeritus of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Zayed University in Dubai, will present “Indigenous Responses to South Asia’s Climate Crisis” at 5:30 p.m. ET on January 29 at The Globe Auditorium. A livestream option will be available for those unable to attend in person.
According to the press release: “Ogden is an accomplished teacher, filmmaker and storyteller. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji, Ogden earned a doctorate in political science from the University of Hawai‘i. He has held faculty and leadership roles at the University of Hawai‘i, Central Washington University and Zayed University in Dubai, where he served as Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences until his retirement last fall.”
This lecture is part of a collaboration with both the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy as well as the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series. A pre-lecture reception is planned before Ogden’s address.
On January 30 at 1:30 p.m., Taimur Shamil—president and executive director of Policy East—will deliver a talk titled “The Narrative Power: Mapping South Asian Think Tanks and Their Influence on Policy Formulation,” also at The Globe Auditorium with a livestream available.
The press release states: “Shamil is a New York based national security and foreign policy expert from Pakistan. He holds a doctorate in International Relations with more than 15 years of service in government, academia and media.Shamil formerly hosted the prime-time program ‘Dialogue with Taimur Shamil’ on Pakistan Television, PTV (World), where he focused on Pakistan’s foreign policy and global politics. His analyses have also appeared regularly on national and international TV Channels like Al-Jazeera, Al-Jazeera Arabic and several others.”
In addition to panel discussions running from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET on January 30—which will be streamed live—the conference features a photo exhibit and book launch showcasing Kids of Kathmandu’s decade-long work building schools in Nepal alongside local groups. Bhushan Dahal—a doctoral candidate from Nepal studying Educational Leadership and Policy at FSU—will be present to discuss this project.
Conference registration is free to all interested participants through Florida State University’s website.
