DATES AND VENUE

The launch and first conference of CPRafrica will take place on 19-21 April 2010,  Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town Waterfront Campus, Cape Town, South Africa.

It is organised by Research ICT Africa in association with the  Management Programme in Infrastructure Reform and Regulation, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business and supported by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC).

INTRODUCTION

Communication Policy Research (Africa) intends to encourage intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts.

The conference provides a forum for senior, junior and mid-career scholars to meet face-to-face and exchange ideas, network and improve the quality of their scholarly work. The long-term objective is to facilitate the fostering of the next generation of active scholars and local experts capable of contributing to good ICT policy and regulation in the region.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

CPRafrica will offer researchers the opportunity to discuss their research on ICT regulation and policy in Africa and the South more generally, with a policy-oriented, international audience and obtain useful feedback.  The conference will include the celebration of the anniversary of the launch of the African Journal of Information & Communication 10 years ago, as the South African Journal of Information and Communication. A large number of the eminent members of the editorial board will be present to present papers and chair sessions.

ORGANISING & SELECTION COMMITTEE

Drs Lishan Adam, Tracy Cohen,  James Hodge, Kammy Naidoo, Profs Arsene Kouadio and Tim Waema and Alison Gillwald

Advisors: Dr Rohan Samarajiva and Helani Galpaya (LIRNEasia) Prof Leo van Audenhove (EuroCPR).

PARTICIPANTS

The conference is designed to accommodate 21 paper presenters over the course of two and a half days, and the audience will be made up of 50 scholars involved in the field of ICT policy and regulation, broadly defined, including 15 Young Scholars.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts for papers on ICT policy and regulation research carried out in Africa or relevant to Africa may be submitted for review and acceptance. Proposed sessions include:

• Convergence
• Content
• Comparative studies of ICT readiness
• Data and methods for research on ICTs
• Governance of ICT and ICT for governance
• Telecom/broadcasting policy
• Intellectual property rights
• Internet governance
• ICT markets and competition
• National and regional innovation systems
• Participation in ICTs: demand side studies
• Regulation: Spectrum allocation, interconnection, licenisng
• Policy: institutional arrangements, market structure, infrastructure extension
• Market innovation, competition and disruption
• Telecom operator strategies in emerging economies

The actual program will depend on the papers received. The organisers reserve the right to combine topics and to not offer sessions for which sufficient high-quality submissions are not received.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Abstracts should be submitted to info@researchICTafrica.net by or before  15 September, 2009 and must contain the following:

• the title of the paper,
• your name and contact information,
• a 500-word abstract of the paper, and
• a  curriculum vita of no more than a page.

The document must be named CPRafrica_Abstract&Bio_YourLastName.

Notification of acceptance will be e-mailed on or before 30 November, 2009 and authors will be given three months to submit their completed papers i.e.. full papers have to be submitted for final review by February 28, 2010. If full papers of acceptable quality are not received by the deadline, the paper may be relegated to the ‘online-only’ category.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Abstracts will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• Clarity of the thesis or the research finding
• Novelty, significance, and importance to the CPRafrica community
• Adequacy of methods
• Quality of writing
• Appropriateness of interpretations

Please note: Only the authors whose papers that are delivered by the 30 November, 2009 deadline AND who meet the quality standard will be allowed to present their papers at the conference and have their travel funded. Others may attend the event at their own expense or if they have applied for and satisfied the criteria for selection as Young Scholars.

FUNDING

Selected presenters will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Cape Town, accommodation and a per diem for the duration of the conference. All incidental costs will have to borne by the participants. Costs are being tightly controlled to accommodate as many participants as possible.

KEY DATES

• Deadline for abstracts: 15 September, 2009
• Deadline for complete papers: 30 November, 2009
• Feedback from Chairs and respondents: 30 January, 2010
• Final papers: 28 February 2010

YOUNG SCHOLAR AWARDS

Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa will be selected to participate in the conference.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applications should be submitted to info@researchICTafrica.net by or before 30 October, 2009 and must contain the following:

• a one-page curriculum vita that includes your contact information and the name and contact information of current supervisor or mentor, and
• a one-page write-up outlining why you wish to be an African based expert capable of contributing to ICT policy and regulatory reform in the region.

The document should be named CPRafrica_YoungScholar_YourLastName.

Notification of acceptance will be emailed on or before  15 December, 2009, with instructions on travel arrangements.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• Content of application
• Evidence of interest in policy-relevant research for the Africa
• Quality of writing
• Gender and country representation

The selection committee may contact your supervisor or mentor before making the final selections.

FUNDING

Selected applicants will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Cape Town, twin-sharing accommodation and meals at the Waterfront campus Breakwater Hotel for the nights of the conference only. All incidental costs will have to borne by the participants. Costs are being tightly controlled to accommodate as many participants as possible.

KEY DATES

Deadline for applications: 30 October, 2009

See www.researchICTafrica.net for updates.