Call for Papers: Edited volume on representation of neurodiversity on television

Editors

Curt Hersey, chersey@berry.edu, Associate Professor of Communication, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia

Julie D. O’Reilly, joreilly@heidelberg.edu, Professor of Communication and Women’s & Gender Studies, Heidelberg. University, Tiffin, Ohio

It is estimated that neurominorities comprise 15-20 percent of the population. While television does not reflect this reality, representation of neurodiverse individuals in television programming has been increasing. In response, we are seeking proposals for an edited collection tentatively titled Collecting Thoughts: Representations of Neurodiversity on Television. 

We welcome original manuscripts addressing representation of neurodiversity from a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The primary target audience is composed of undergraduate students in media criticism, psychology, or cultural studies courses. Television is broadly defined to include programming from broadcast, cable, streaming, and online outlets. Manuscripts may explore representation in scripted and/or unscripted programming, including series and specials, as well as in a single series or thematically across multiple series. 

Contributions might address the representation of:

• Tourette syndrome

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

• Dyslexia

• Dyscalculia

• Dyspraxia

• Dysgraphia

• Synesthesia

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Addiction

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Acquired neurodiversity

• Any other aspects of neurodiversity and intersectionality

250-300 word abstracts accompanied by a 100-word biography (if co-authored, a 100-word biography of each author) should be sent to chersey@berry.edu and joreilly@heidelberg.edu by November 15, 2022. Notification of acceptance will occur by December 1, 2022. Completed essays of approximately 6500-7500 words will be due by March 6, 2023. 

This project is under contract with McFarland.

Please contact the editors with any questions.