Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information recently hosted the 12th annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies (SAMCS) Conference, bringing together researchers, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to discuss media and cultural issues in South Asia.
The event took place on January 29 and 30 at The Globe Auditorium and was also streamed online via the college’s YouTube channel. Participants joined both in-person and virtually to engage with topics such as journalism challenges, cultural preservation, demographic media engagement, and identity expression through media within South Asia.
This year’s conference theme was “Resilience and Renewal: Tradition, Innovation, and Media Futures in South Asia.” Discussions centered on how media and communication play roles in preserving identity, sharing knowledge, and adapting to change across various communities.
Michael R. Ogden, dean emeritus of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Zayed University in Dubai, delivered the keynote address titled “Indigenous Responses to South Asia’s Climate Crisis.” He focused on Indigenous documentary work, climate resilience, and how South Asian viewpoints can influence global media directions.
“If we are serious about the theme of this conference — resilience and renewal, tradition, innovation and media futures in South Asia — then we owe the pathfinders a new politics of representation,” Ogden said.
He highlighted that today’s challenges relate closely to perceptions of time. Using examples from South Asia, Ogden discussed the Seventh Generation principle—an Indigenous philosophy that urges current decisions be made with consideration for their impact seven generations ahead.
“When you make a decision today, you are accountable to descendants seven generations into the future,” he said. “If we assume that one human generation is roughly 25 years, that’s a decision horizon of nearly 175 years.”
Michelle Kazmer, dean of the College of Communication and Information at FSU, opened the second day by acknowledging those who have organized this forum over its twelve-year history. “This marks the 12th year that a group of students, faculty, alumni and friends have worked together to organize this important forum,” Kazmer said. “I hope that this is a chance to learn more about South Asia, make new connections, get in touch with old friends, and to build relationships with colleagues from around the world.”
The conference included four presentation panels featuring speakers from universities in countries such as India, Pakistan, Belgium, and Bangladesh. Topics ranged from innovation in media to resilience strategies; these panels remain available for viewing on the SAMCS YouTube channel.
Taimur Shamil—a national security expert based in New York but originally from Pakistan—gave the closing keynote titled “The Narrative Power: Mapping South Asian Think Tanks and Their Influence on Policy Formulation.” He examined how think tanks shape public debate and policy formation:
“Think tanks are the architects of reality,” Shamil said.
Shamil described South Asia as a region marked by complex political dynamics due to geography as well as security disputes. He noted think tanks’ role in shaping public discourse through data production but also stressed grassroots involvement:
“Ideas actually generate from the grassroots level,” he said. “A researcher must be connected with people because that is where ideas are.”
Steve McDowell—FSU assistant provost for International Initiatives—emphasized collaboration: “This annual conference brings together students, scholars and practitioners to create space for deeper understanding and long-term collaboration,” he said. “The conversations that happen here continue to shape research, teaching and global engagement at FSU, in South Asia,and beyond.”
Vaibhav Diwanji—a research assistant professor at University of Kansas who helped plan this year’s event—noted its significance: “As an FSU alumnus,it’s especially meaningful to see this space continue to grow as a platform for dialogue,collaboration,and new ways of thinking about mediaand cultureinSouthAsia” he said.
The conference also featured contributions from other FSU departments including participation through lecture series such as Ruth K.Shepard Broad International Lecture Seriesand Engage Your World Speaker Series.A photo exhibitand book launch showcased Kids of Kathmandu,a nonprofit linkedto Bhushan Dahal,a doctoral candidatefrom Nepalwhosework involves school building initiativesinpartnershipwith localgroupsinNepal.The event seeks tofoster freshideasand partnerships while promoting underrepresented voicesacross Afghanistan,Bangladesh,BhutanIndiaMaldives,Nepal,Pakistan,andSriLanka.
For more information about Florida State University’s CollegeofCommunicationandInformation or future conferences visit cci.fsu.edu or comm.cci.fsu.edu/faculty-research/south-asian-media-studies/south-asian-media-studies-conference/.
