Dear all,

Below is the CFP on COVID-19 and hate speech to be held in Ritsumeikan next May.

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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The 3rd International Workshop HATE SPEECH IN ASIA AND EUROPE Pandemic, Fear, and Hate
May 20 (THU) - 21 (FRI), 2021
Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
Convener: Center for Korean Studies, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Co-organizers: Institute of Communication Research, Seoul National University, South Korea
LCAO-CCJ, Université de Paris, France
Supporter: Resona Foundation

This project began in 2017 as a way to bring scholars across the continents together to discuss national, regional, and global dynamics of hate speech from diverse viewpoints that include the political, legal, historical, ideological and cultural perspectives.

Through the 1st and 2nd workshop, held respectively in Kyoto and Paris, we explored the contours of hate speech in different Asian and European countries. And some of the papers from the two workshops were published via a journal special issue and an edited volume. (You can find more information on the edited volume from the 1st workshop at here: https://www.routledge.com/Hate-Speech-in-Asia-and-Europe-Beyond-Hate-and-Fear/Kang-Riv e-Lasan-Kim-Hall/p/book/9780367209001)

Next year, the workshop will continue and expand this conversation by considering acute tensions surrounding hate speech issues in the age of pandemic and including research on other continents, not strictly confined to Asia and Europe. Although the COVID-19 was of natural origin, its impact on society is more a matter of a social crisis than a natural disaster. Pandemic is shaking the society to its very foundation. This workshop pays attention to the fear, discrimination, and hatred between nations, communities, and individuals within the context of the anxiety and inequality brought by the pandemic. COVID-19 has spurred hate speeches across continents, from the conflict between the U.S. and China to discriminatory acts targeting at the 'other(s)'. The profile of victims varies from country to country, and diverse civil societies and nations have responded to this phenomenon in different manners.

While no one can predict how this pandemic is going to shape the world after all, through this workshop, we expect to explore hate speech fueled by the pandemic crisis and seek philosophical, ethical and theoretical perspectives that illuminate how to overcome the fear and the hate in this pandemic era.

We invite you to submit paper abstracts adopting different approaches such as media studies, history, sociology, anthropology, political science, legal studies, religious studies that examine, but are not restricted to, the following questions:
● What are the current contours of hate speech in this/the pandemic crisis?
● How can we better prevent and address social stigma associated with the COVID-19?
● What are the differences and similarities in the manifestations of hate speech across countries in the pandemic crisis?
● What are the legal and discursive characteristics of individual societies in dealing with hate speech in the pandemic crisis?
● What frailties and inequalities does the COVID-19 expose?
● How are different media platforms exploited to express and spread hatred against various minorities in the pandemic period?
● Why do ethnicity, sexuality and religion often act as flashpoints in the pandemic crisis?
● Who are the scapegoats stigmatized by hate speeches linked to this health crisis?

We are pleased to provide selected presenters with partial subsidies for accommodation and travel expenses, depending on funding availability and the participant's needs. We intend to publish selected papers from the workshop as a journal special issue and/or an edited volume with a reputable academic press.

This is an in-person workshop, but we are considering converting it to a virtual or hybrid event.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Please email your proposal with a title, an abstract of not more than 500 words in MS Word to hatespeechworkshop@gmail.com, together with your name, position, institutional affiliation and email address by October 31, 2020. (Authors will be notified of abstract acceptance by November 20, 2020).

Selected authors will be requested to submit full papers by April 20, 2021. Please do not hesitate to contact us(hatespeechworkshop@gmail.com) for any questions regarding this workshop.

Organizing Committee Myungkoo KANG, Professor Emeritus, Seoul National University, Korea
Marie-Orange RIVÉ, Associate Professor, Université de Paris, France
Wooja KIM, Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Sojeong PARK, Postdoctoral Researcher, Seoul National University, Korea

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Naoto Higuchi
School of Human Sciences, Waseda University
2-579-15, Mikajima, Tokorozawa 3591192, Japan
higuchinaoto@waseda.jp