CFP: Palgrave Handbook of Digital Russia Studies

Deadline for Submissions: June 25, 2019

Palgrave Handbook of Digital Russia—Popular Culture Chapter

Due to an author cancellation, we are looking for a contributor of a chapter on Russian digital popular culture for the *Palgrave Handbook of Digital Russia Studies* edited by Daria Gritsenko, Mariëlle Wijermars and Mikhail Kopotev (University of Helsinki). Please find below the working abstract for the chapter, which can be tailored as needed.

If you are interested in writing the chapter on popular culture for our Handbook (6000-7000 words, incl. references), please send the following information to marielle.wijermars@helsinki.fi by *25 June*. Any questions about the book project can also be directed to this address.
1. Brief biographical statement, demonstrating your expertise in the area to be covered by the chapter
2. A revised abstract, reflecting your proposed approach to the topic
3. A timeline for your submission (first and revised draft). Given our publication schedule, the first draft of the chapter is expected to be ready in early fall.

*Digital popular culture* (exact title TBD)

With the advancement of digital and mobile communication technologies cultural production has become an inherent part of everyday life. Within the cultural studies field, the research focus has shifted from the analysis of cultural texts and production structures to the changed role of audiences and amateurs in cultural development. ‘Popular culture’ in the digital age is re-defined through audience participation and networked grass-roots structures of cultural production and consumption. This chapter focuses on the study of Russian popular culture in the digital era. It contextualizes the topic through an example of ‘Netlore’, comprising humorous texts, poetry, and pictures and graphics circulated over the Internet, illustrative of continuity and change in popular culture from analogue to digital. The chapter will introduce ‘Netlore’ and other examples of Russian digital popular culture in the framework of the critical discussion of some key concepts explaining digital culture and developed in the cultural studies field, such as ‘vernacular creativity’, ‘participatory culture’, ‘active audiences’, ‘fan studies’ and ‘prosumption’ of new media. The aim of the chapter is to map out the emerging field of studies in Russian popular culture in the digital era and create a dialogue between other cases of digital research in humanities and social sciences.