Every year, IAMHIST organises a masterclass on Media and History. The class is a one day informal networking event where postgraduate students, independent researchers and upcoming media professionals get a chance to present their work to peers. The event is an opportunity to engage with established scholars and practitioners in a less formal setting than an academic conference. Among the topics addressed are publication possibilities, resources, working with archives, and networking. There is no charge for attendance. In the previous years, master classes have been organised in London, Los Angeles, Brussels, Newcastle, Paris, New Orleans and Luxembourg. The next masterclass will take place in Cork, Ireland. CFP to be announced soon.
Participants’ Reports
The IAMHIST masterclass provided an excellent opportunity to gain advice and feedback from leading professionals in the field of media history. I was able to present my work in a supportive environment and gain useful advice on how to develop and improve my project. The in-depth discussion allowed me to reflect on the content, methodology and research methods of my PhD thesis. The members of the IAMHIST council were friendly and attentive, and their helpful advice will strengthen my project. The masterclass also provided an opportunity to meet peers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. (Sam Manning, Queens University Belfast)
The IAMHIST master class was an immensely helpful experience. It provided a variety of perspectives and feedback regarding my research topic and methodological approach. It was invaluable to receive feedback from a diverse, international group of scholars outside my academic circle. I left the master class seeing my project through a slightly different lens, encouraged to continue researching in different archives that were recommended to me. I am incredibly grateful for the experience. (Leah Hansen, MA candidate in Holocaust Studies at the University of Haifa)
Presenting my research project in IAMHIST master class event in University Paris II was a quite interesting and challenging experience. It has provided me a chance to discuss relevant intriguing questions with international scholars, experts and peers within a less formal setting of an academic conference. The enormous feedback that I got about my project encouraged me in a way that I can confidently present research papers in academic conferences in future. Furthermore, it has given me a chance not only to meet fellow scholars as well as participant scholars, but also to speak about mutual academic interests. I believe that such academic networking can benefit a lot to many scholars in the field. (Muhammad Asghar, Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel in Germany)
I found the masterclass an enjoyable and productive day. It was an excellent opportunity to gain feedback on my work-in-progress in a supportive environment. The discussion helped me to focus my research project and encouraged me to reflect critically on my working methods. I enjoyed meeting other early career researchers, as well as more experienced media historians. (Holly Chard, PhD candidate, University of Sussex).
Initiatives as the IAMHIST master class offer the perfect occasion for young scholars to present ongoing research to an audience of peers and specialists within the field. It creates a friendly environment in which questions regarding the methodology, theoretical framework, scope and valorization of your research project can be discussed in a way which more traditional academic events not often provide the time and space for. (Sam Roggen, PhD student in Film Studies and Visual Culture at the University of Antwerp).
The IAMHIST mast class was a very interesting, manifold and inspiring day for me. The informal structure of the event created a very pleasant atmosphere and I enjoyed every single presentation and discussion. The diversity of research projects and backgrounds of both participants and the members of the IAMHIST council created a kind of synergy effect on the yet common discussion ground of media and history. It was lovely to meet everyone, get new ideas, hear about interesting projects and initiatives and the feedback helps me in further concretising and shaping my PhD project on city symphonies. (Eva Hielscher, PhD candidate at the Art History Department of Ghent University).
I’d like to thank all of the participants, IAMHIST council members and researchers alike, for the enthusiasm and knowledgeability with which they participated in last week’s master class. I found the presentations challenging, the discussions stimulating and the atmosphere wholehearted. The exercise was truly worthwhile and provided me not just with expert advice on my research project and the way to go forward, but also boosted my moral to take it further. What also struck me positively, is the informal way the master class was conducted, with so much willingness from established scholars to engage in discussions with relative newcomers. (Etienne Boumans, independant researcher).
As for the Masterclass, I found it a most productive event. I really enjoyed presenting my work in front of fellow junior researchers and so many distinguished experts in the field. It doesn’t happen all too often that one gets the opportunity to talk about his/her project so thoroughly, with a substantial amount of time dedicated to the helpful comments and questions of everyone involved. (Jaap Verheul, is a PhD Candidate in Cinema Studies (ABD) at New York University).
I found the master-class really interesting and helpful. It is quite unique that you get the opportunity to present your research project without the pressure of a “real” conference. I guess what I most liked about it was that you could be – and were even invited to be – weak and express your concerns and questions and that those concerns were discussed in a friendly environment. (Steffi de Jong, PhD in cultural studies from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology).
