Throughout its 65-year history the International Association for Media and Communication
Research (IAMCR) has sought to facilitate international exchanges and research collaborations
among academics and journalists in the field of media and communication. Created during a time
of strong ideological tension following World War II in 1957 and with the support of UNESCO
the contributors to this edited collection highlight how the IAMCR and its members shaped the
field of media and communications research. From its beginnings focusing on the mass media
including the press and journalism education today the Association attracts researchers and
practitioners who undertake critical analysis of contemporary media and communications
including online platforms and their governance. Consistent themes throughout the Association's
history have been its concern with human rights law culture and the political economy of the
media and communication industries. Not content simply to understanddevelopments in the media
and communications field around the world the Association's membership has sought to 'change
the world' through its published research and its participation in global regional national
and local policy debate and practice. This volume is organised in four parts following an
introduction authored by editors who are active members of IAMCR. Part I highlights eight
prominent scholarly traditions of research which have attracted the interest of scholars from
around the world as well as the way the Association has sought to be inclusive of early career
scholars. Part II offers seven chapters which bring to light the political struggles of a
membership seeking to engage in scholarship across the East - West divide and to contribute to
global debates aimed at fostering an inclusive fair and equitable international information
and communication order through engagement with United Nations sponsored initiatives. Part III
turns to accounts of the way membersfrom selected countries and regions have contributed to the
Association's scholarly work. The last part highlights the significant scholarly and
institution-building contributions of James Halloran IAMCR's President from 1972 to 1988 and
other prominent contributors to the study of culture and the political economy of media and
communications
