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Interview with Annabelle Sreberny: “I love the sense of equality at the IAMCR - Congress"

Last Updated (Monday, 05 May 2008 18:53) Written by Sofia Cottman Monday, 05 May 2008 17:22

Annabelle Sreberny is a Professor in Global Media and Communication in the Centre for Media and Film studies at SOAS, University of London. Her research area covers international communication, and globalization, with a strong feminist orientation.

As a key note speaker, what will be your focus when it comes to the theme of the congress; media and global divides?
- To be honest, I always leave to write my papers to the very last minute before it will be presented. I need to do this because I want to have a feeling of the current political and medial atmosphere at this specific moment.
- So I cannot tell you exactly what I will discuss. But I do know it will touch on the subject of social division as a natural part of human sociability.

In your research you have a special interest for mediated cultures in the Middle East, and especially in Iran. Where did this interest come from?
- It is a personal history. I married an Iranian, and I went to live in Iran both before, during and after the revolution. I do not live there anymore, but maintained an interest for the country, and travel there regularly.
- I really hope I can be in Iran when BBC, in short, will launch the new Persian television channel. I think this will be an important event in Iranian media culture.

As a foreigner and woman, have you experienced any difficulties when working in Iran?
- I have an Iranian passport which makes it easy for me to travel within the country. Of course I have to think of dressing accordingly to the culture. But that does not stop me or most Iranian women from taking an active part in society.
- In the West we have quite a bad media representation of Iran. I think most visitors of the country are surprised by how dynamic the Iranian society is, and by the openness of Iranians to integrate with foreigners.

What are your strongest memories from the past IAMCR – World Congresses? What expectations do you have on 2008 year’s congress?
- What I love most about the past congresses is the atmosphere of equality. Professors and students discuss and eat together, without any sense of hierarchy.
- IAMCR is actually the organisation I have been committed to the longest in my life. Over 30 years I have been a member. But 2008 is extra special for me. I run for the presidency of the IAMCR and the official announcement for the post will be at the conference!

While in Stockholm is there anything special you would like to see or experience?
- From my last visit as a Visiting Professor in 2003 I particularly remember a lovely fish soup I had in Östermalmshallen, which I would love to taste again.
- I also have fond memories from walking around Gamla Stan’s narrow, old streets, and I very much want to do some shopping at Gudrun Sjödén. I love her colourful clothes!