Byerly Award for Research in Feminist Political Economy of Communication
Micky Lee
The Byerly Award for Research in Feminist Political Economy of Communication
The Byerly Award for Research in Feminist Political Economy of Communication was established to encourage and support research on macro-level issues and problems in communication within a feminist analytical framework. Feminist political economy is concerned with ways that male privilege and domination are institutionalized within media and communication organizations and other social institutions, with a focus on the economic and policy arrangements that give men greater power. Feminist political economy research is also concerned with the impact of institutional bias on women's status and how women's activism has challenged it.
The award was established by feminist media scholar Dr. Carolyn M. Byerly to encourage and support original critical feminist scholarship focused on gendered power relations in institutional settings. This could include (but is not limited to) research related to communication policy, media ownership, labor in communication fields, and links between media ownership and representation.
The award is made annually on a competitive basis. Feminist scholars from any country and at any stage in their academic careers (including graduate students) may apply to conduct original research, with the understanding that they will present their work in ICA's Feminist Scholarship Division at the ICA annual conference the following year. Applications will be considered from single applicants as well as teams. The amount of the award, which will vary from year to year, based on the health of the fund, will be announced in the annual call for applications.
Funds may not be used for salaries or stipends of the principal or co-investigators, university indirect funds, or equipment purchase. The award is also not meant to support strictly theoretical work. Allowable expenses could be for purchase of data, participant incentives, transcription services, travel to archives or for interviews, research assistant fees, and other expenses not specifically excluded.
Applicants must be current members of ICA. Applications should include a two-page statement of work (including methodology), proposed budget, and the applicant's (or applicants') CV. The call for applications will be circulated annually toward the end of the year; applicants will be notified by the end of February about the status of their applications. A committee whose members have expertise in feminist political economy research will review all applications.