I spoke about my ongoing research on social media, parades and protests in Northern Ireland (2012-current). I drew on the results of my book (Digital contention in a divided society), #Brexitriots study, and encyclopedia entry on belief echoes. I discussed how online platforms amplify mis-and disinformation that undermine community relations during contentious events.
Debate on social media and crisis communication, UNOCHA HNPW, 21 March
Next Friday (21 March) I will be an invited participant in a debate on social media and crisis communication. This event is organised by Asad Tahir from the University of Leicester and the Avoidable Deaths Network. It is part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) #HumanitarianWeek.
Jamie Wardman (University of Leicester), Christian Morgner (University of Sheffield), and I will explore the opportunities of using online platforms. We will also evaluate the challenges that arise during crisis situations.
A synopsis of the event is below:
The objectives of this session include: 1) To maximize the visibility of crisis communication as an anticipatory action for reducing avoidable deaths by employing effective and proactive communication strategies; 2) To enhance awareness about avoidable disaster deaths among the audience as well as the organizers. The innovative idea of an engaging debate offers a unique opportunity for the audience and the organizers to learn from each other; 3) To provide a vibrant platform for communication experts, crisis leaders, NGOs, students, academics and researchers to share their informed insights about disaster deaths and crisis communication; 4) To discuss and deliberate about the scope and significance of crisis communication as an effective component of crisis preparedness to significantly reduce the number of avoidable deaths and people affected by disasters by 2030; 5) It is pertinent to highlight that ADN is part of the Sendai Framework’s Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) Platform. Our Voluntary Commitments to the UNDRR are inked until 2030, especially focusing on the first two targets of the Sendai Framework. Therefore, this session promises an opportunity to not only manifest our commitments to the UNDRR but also maximize the visibility of our continued endeavors at the UNOCHA’s Summit in Geneva; and 6) Above all, this interesting and innovative debate seeks to promote awareness and enhance knowledge about the theory and practice related to avoidable deaths and crisis communication strategies as an effective tool for crisis preparedness
There is still time to register for this event here
Invited public lecture at European University Rotterdam, 18 February 2025
This week I am delighted to be an academic visitor at the European University Rotterdam. During this trip, I will deliver a public lecture entitled ‘From Doomscrolling to Activism/Action’. Chaired by Dr. Delia Dumitrica (EUR), activist and researcher Chris Julien and I will discuss the future of Digital Activism. We will explore this topic in an increasingly fragmented world. I will discuss the key findings from my book Digital Contention in a Divided Society (Manchester University Press, 2024).
A description of the event is below:
Do you know the feeling? Climate change, ongoing wars, rising hostilities. The world appears to be on fire and more polarized than ever, and it seems almost impossible to do something about it. How do we break this helpless feeling of despair? How can online feelings of empathy and care translate into real world action? And what is necessary for discontent to become successful political movements?
The event is co-organised by Delia and Lenya Slierendrecht from Studium Generale. It will be held at CB-4 (Theil Basement), European University of Rotterdam. The event timing is from 19:30 to 21:00 CET.
If you are in Rotterdam tomorrow (18 February), there is still time to register to this free event here.
Many thanks to Delia and Lena for the invite- should be a great discussion!
Digital Contention in a Divided Society, Manchester University Press 2024.
This month the paperback version of Digital Contention in a Divided Society (featuring a new afterword) is published. It can be ordered on the Manchester University Press website here.
I will be having three book launch events in England, Scotland and Germany over the next three weeks. Details of each are below.
Leicester
I am delighted to be back in Leicester for a book talk on 24 April, hosted by John Coster (Documentary Media Centre). There is no need to register for this free event. Details are below.
Venue:237 Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, 11 Chapel Lane, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Join Paul Reilly (University of Glasgow) and host, Dave Scott (Nil by Mouth), to celebrate the paperback launch of Paul’s book, Digital contention in a divided society: Social media, parades and protests in Northern Ireland.
They will discuss the role of social media in protests and civil unrest in Northern Ireland, followed by a Q&A session. There will be a drinks reception afterwards.
With thanks to Dr. Giuliana Source, I will be delivering a lunchtime talk at the Institut für Medienwissenschaft at Tübingen University. Details on the talk can be found here.
This morning I am an invited participant at the WSIS and Academia roundtable organised by the World Summit on the Information Society.
The semi-structured open roundtable will include stakeholders from academia and WSIS to discuss opportunities for collaboration and mutual support on ICTs and the sciences (between academic stakeholders, ITU, and the WSIS forum). This will, for example, include research partnerships, innovation-sharing, critical debate, networks and collaboration, and student involvement. Following the session, key points will feed into the creation of a pathway for academic involvement.
Many thanks to the moderator Suay Ozkula for the invitation and for organising this event.
More details on the roundtable and the participants can be found here
Last week I spoke to Dr. Hakan Karahasan, Head of the Department of Advertising Design and Communication as part of the seminar series at the Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD). Many thanks to Hakan and his colleagues for hosting this talk.
Many thanks to Emily and the PSA MPG organisers for the opportunity to participate in the series. Details on how to register for the event can be found here
The NTU Research Centre for the Study of Inequality, Culture and Difference is delighted to welcome Dr Paul Reilly from the University of Sheffield 2-3pm BST on Wednesday 28th April, who will be giving a talk on Social media, parades and protest in a Divided Society: Reflections from post-conflict Northern Ireland.
Abstract:
How are platforms such as Facebook and Twitter used by citizens to frame contentious parades and protests in ‘post-conflict’ Northern Ireland? What do these contentious episodes tell us about the potential of information and communication technologies to promote positive intergroup contact in the deeply divided society? In this paper, I will explore these issues through the first in-depth qualitative exploration of how social media were used during the union flag protests (December 2012-March 2013) and the Ardoyne parade disputes (July 2014 and 2015). I examine the extent to which affective publics, mobilised and connected via expressions of solidarity on social media, appear to escalate or de-escalate sectarian tensions caused by these hybrid media events. I conclude by examining whether citizen activity on these online platforms has the potential to contribute to peacebuilding in divided societies such as Northern Ireland. Bio: Dr. Paul Reilly is Senior Lecturer in Social Media & Digital Society at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on social media sousveillance, digital activism and the use of digital media to promote better community relations in divided societies. He has written two books on the role of digital media in conflict transformation in Northern Ireland (Framing the Troubles Online and Digital Contention in a Divided Society, both with Manchester University Press). His work has also been published in a number of journals including First Monday, Information, Communication & Society, Journalism, New Media & Society, and Policy & Internet.
There is no registration for the seminar, and you can access it using the link below:
Dr Paul Reilly 