Everyone welcome: Conspiracy Theory, Politics, and Representation. 3rd July 2019, Derby, UK

Conspiracy Theory, Politics, and Representation

Wednesday, 3rd July 2019

Derby Quad

This conference offers a day of expert insight into how conspiracy theories spread, who believes them and why. Specific topics include conspiracy theories and credibility, the Labour Party and anti-Semitism, conspiracy theories and truth, the idea of 'the Russians' in Western political commentary, and others. Multiple perspectives are offered including perspectives informed by sociology, psychology, cultural studies, communication studies, media studies, and history.

Most of the speakers are academic researchers into conspiracy theory but the event is open and accessible to all. Tickets are £10 for the full day and include a screening of 'They Live' in the evening. You are very welcome to attend for some or all of the event. You can book a place here: https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/whats-on/events/conspiracy-theory-politics-and-representation


Programme

9:00-9:30 Registration and coffee

9:30 -11:00 Panel One.

Daniel Jolley (Staffordshire University) ‘Exposure to intergroup conspiracy theories promotes generalized prejudice’

Paul Reynolds (Edge Hill University) ‘The Rhetorical Functions of Conspiracy Theory: Narrative Power and the Politics of Truth’

Julianne Lischka (University of Zurich) ‘Thought Provoking or Crank? Credibility Cues of Conspiracy Theories’

11:00-11:30 Refreshments

11:30-1:00 Panel Two.

Daniel Artus (University College London) ‘Vaccine Hesitancy, Conspiracy Theory and Informational-Existential Autonomy’

Phil Burton-Cartledge (University of Derby) ‘“It’s All About the Russians” Centrism and Conspiracy Theory’

Andrew F. Wilson (University of Derby) ‘Populism, the Labour Party, and Anti-Semitism’

1:00-2:00 Lunch

2:00-3:30 Panel Three.

Gretchen Soderlund (University of Oregon) ‘Audience Fragmentation and the Normalization of Conspiracy’

Megan Broadmeadow (Artist, Bristol) ‘Representing Unconventional Beliefs’

David Robertson (Open University) ‘New Age to New World Order: Red Ice Radio’

3:30-4:00 Refreshments

4:00-5:00 Keynote.

Peter Knight (University of Manchester) ‘Everything Is Connected: The Visual Culture of Conspiracy Theory’

This can be followed by a wider discussion involving all speakers.

6:30 Film screening

Andrew F. Wilson (University of Derby) ‘They live again and again: An introduction to They Live’. This will be followed by a screening of They Live (John Carpenter, 1989)

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Andrew Fergus Wilson
Senior Lecturer in Sociology
College of Business, Law, and Social Sciences
University of Derby. 4-6 Agard Street. Derby. DE1 1DZ

Recent Publications
(2019) 'The Prism of Lyra: UFO Consciousness and Portals to Cosmic Awareness’ in Jake Poller (ed.) Altered Consciousness in the Twentieth Century. London: Routledge
(2018) ‘#whitegenocide, the Alt-right and Conspiracy Theory: How Secrecy and Suspicion Contributed to the Mainstreaming of Hate.’ Secrecy and Society 1(2). http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/secrecyandsociety/vol1/iss2/1
(2017) ‘The Bitter End: Apocalypse and conspiracy in white nationalist responses to the ISIL Paris Attacks’. Patterns of Prejudice 51(5), 412-431
(2017) ‘Postcards from the Cosmos: Cosmic Spaces in Alternative Religion and Conspiracy Theories’. The Journal of Astrosociology Volume 2. http://www.astrosociology.org/Library/PDF/Journal/JOA-Final/JournalOfAstrosociology-Vol2.pdf
(2013) 'From Mushrooms to the stars: 2012 and the apocalyptic milieu' in S.Harvey & S.Newcombe (eds.) Prophecy in the New Millennium - When Prophecies Persist. Farnham: Ashgate
(2013) 'See you tomorrow: Apocalyptic Refusal in English Culture' in J.Aston & J.Walliss (eds.) Small Screen Revelations: Apocalypse in Contemporary Television. Sheffield: Phoenix
(2012) 'The Invisible Empire: Political extremity and myths of origin in the networked cultic milieu' in Marion Gibson, Garry Tregidga and Shelley Trower (eds.) Myth, Mysticism, and 'Celtic' Nationalism. London: Routledge



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