The Centre for German-Jewish Studies at the University of Sussex is organising a two-day conference on “Nationalist Myths and Modern Media” in October 2003, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Board. The conference aims to bring together researchers working in a variety of disciplines (including history, social and political sciences, media studies), journalists and policy makers. Papers will explore the myths and mythologized histories being created and revived by nationalists in an era of globalisation and mass media.

Papers on the following topics are particularly welcomed:

• The influence of globalisation and/or mass media on the revival and transformation of nationalist myths
• The re-evaluation or rehabilitation of historical figures in nationalist discourse
• The relationship and ideological traffic between the ‘centre’ (mainstream media and politics, academia) and fringe groups
• The revival, rewriting and contemporary application of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
• The role of religion in the creation or revival of nationalist myths
• The denial of World War II collaboration and/or the Holocaust in the creation and maintenance of nationalist myths
• Developments in the nationalist discourses of post-Soviet Russia and post-unification Germany

The working language of the conference is English. Selected conference proceedings will be published.

Proposals for whole panels are also welcomed. Please send abstracts (of approximately 500 words) by 1 February 2003 to Dr Hans Brinks (j.h.brinks@home.nl) and Dr Stella Rock (contact below) in Word document format as an email attachment.