The Rivers State University in Port Harcourt is set to host the second edition of the international conference/workshop of the Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN).
DECRAN’s Convener and President, Dr. Blessing N. Chinweobo-Onuoha, announced this in a statement yesterday by the Director of Media and Publicity, Dr. Chekwube Nzomiwu.
The statement said the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, will also be the chief host of the conference slated for November 19 to 21, while the Dean in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Prof. Richard N. Amadi, will be the host.
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The statement added: “The Head, Department of Development Communication Studies, Rivers State University, Dr. Itieke-Idamieba Harry, is the co-host, while Dr. Sarah C. Joe chairs the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
“Prof. Godwin B. Okon of the Department of Development Communication Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, is the keynote speaker, while Prof. Christopher Ochonogor of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, will serve as the lead paper presenter.
“The theme of the conference is: Digital inclusion and the Frontiers of Development Communication, while the sub-themes cover Development Communication and Digital Innovation, Education and Learning, Arts, Humanities and Cultural Communication, as well as Social Sciences and Governance.
“The topics to be discussed include Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and the Future of Development Messaging, Digital Inclusion and Communication Access in Rural Communities, Information and Communication Technologies for Development: Trends and Impacts, and Community Media, Podcasting and Citizen Journalism.
“Also to be discussed are: Mobile Health and Behaviour Change Strategies, Combating Health Misinformation in Digital Spaces, Human Centred Design in Health Promotion Campaigns, Indigenous Communication and Health Education, Telehealth, Trust and Communication Ethics, Digital Learning Platforms and Access to Quality Education, Storytelling and Creative Arts in Development Narratives, Communication, Policy Advocacy and Democratic Participation, among others.”
Chinweobo-Onuoha stated that the conference would be open to all academics and professionals, regardless of their discipline.
She added: “There will be brainstorming sessions on the chosen topics at the conference. Our association (DECRAN) stands as a pioneering force in the realm of communication research in the country, having produced two journals since our maiden international conference hosted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in November last year.”
According to the programme of events, the opening ceremony/plenary session will be held on November 20, to be followed by the annual general meeting on November 21.
This year’s conference is being organised by DECRAN in collaboration with the Department of Development Communication Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
