The writing of history is far from neutral. Recovering undocumented histories can provoke reassessment of different groups’ actions and contributions. Counterhistories can denaturalize the present and challenge ideologies. The past can provide tools and warnings—solutions found and mistakes made. The writing of history, then, affords tools not only to engage in contemporary conflicts and struggles, but in and of itself can change the way we see the world around us, the world we come from, and possibilities for the world ahead.

This ICA preconference brings together communication scholars pursuing historiographic work as well as various historians addressing areas of interest to communication scholars. Ultimately, the preconferenceʼs goal is to provoke intersections and encounters that will set in motion potential interventions with urgent issues currently facing our discipline, schools, communities, and countries.

The day’s planned events include:

• Keynote address by Anna Everett, Professor of Film and Media Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara
• Invited scholar panel, “What Counts as Communication History?” featuring Norma Coates, Associate Professor, Don Wright Faculty of Music and Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario; Robert McChesney, Gutsgell Professor of Communication, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and David Serlin, Associate Professor of Communication, University of California San Diego
• Interactive Korsakow System documentary by Mary Elizabeth Luka
• Paper presentations from South Africa, Israel, Mexico, Canada, and the United States on recovered histories, critical practice, policy engagements, and interdisciplinarity

Organized by Travers Scott and Devon Powers. Questions? Contact Travers Scott