[esocialaction] Religion / belief & society + on textual communication

[Dearden, Andrew M]

These two callls could be of interest to some in the group.

Andy


======================================

AHRC Reveals New Strategic Programmes

The Arts and Humanities Research Council has revealed its new strategic research programmes. Around £11m of the AHRC's funds will
be invested in two programmes; one tackling the issues of religion, belief and society (in collaboration with the Economic and
Social Research Council <http://www.esrc.ac.uk> ), and another exploring the development of non-textual methods of communication.

Some of the most exciting and important intellectual developments in the arts, humanities and social sciences currently revolve
around questions of knowledge, belief, human culture and religion. There is an urgent need for a critical understanding of terms
such as 'religion', 'faith', 'fundamentalism' and 'secularism' to inform public debate and constructive engagement with faith
groups. A programme on religion will address this need, stimulating new interactions between disciplines and beyond academia. 

With increased movement and cross-fertilization between countries and cultures, and the acceleration of global communications, we
have entered an era 'beyond text.' Sounds, voices, images and material objects can be circulated more rapidly and widely than ever
before. The AHRC's new programme on Beyond Text: Sounds, Voices, Images, Movement and Objects aims to generate new understandings
of and research into the impact and significance of these new methods of communication. The programme is timely socially and
politically. For example, it could have an impact on educational practice and policy at a time when traditional forms of literacy
are being supplanted by the manipulation of sounds and images via the internet.

These Strategic Programmes will be developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and calls for proposals are likely
to be announced in late 2006/ early 2007.