The “Brexit” Campaign: 2016 UK referendum on membership of European Union

This FREE one day IAMCR pre-conference takes place a month after the historic vote by the British people on 23rd June over whether the UK remains within the EU.

It is hard to overestimate how seismic the fallout of the referendum could be. A ‘Brexit’ would re-ignite the Scottish independence issue with a likely future referendum on the breakup of the UK. It would also precipitate a likely change in Downing Street, a reconstitution of the EU and its relationship with both UK and potentially other Eurosceptic countries, as well as global trade agreements. Meanwhile, a vote to remain in the EU would similarly cause ruptures in the Conservative Party, demands for renegotiation of the already renegotiated agreement, and a country no less divided on the issue of EU membership.

For communication scholars, the 2016 EU referendum campaign in the UK is also an opportunity to study the campaign itself. Here, the pre-conference provides an early opportunity to reflect on the referendum in the context of contemporary issues in political communication and campaigning such as:

• News media reporting
• Popular culture and personality politics
• Voters, polls and results
• Political communication
• The digital campaign
• The future: the UK Government, Scottish independence, the EU

The event will bring together some of the UK’s leading researchers in the field who will present early reflections on the Brexit campaign. Space will also be given in the programme to discussion and debate amongst delegates. We particularly welcome IAMCR conference delegates who are visiting the UK and would like to know more about a highly topical event taking place only weeks before the conference.

The event takes place at the University of Leicester on 27th July 2016 and is ideally timed for those who arrive early for the IAMCR conference.

Registration for the event is FREE via Eventbrite, and lunch and refreshments will be served.

Early registration is strongly encouraged.

WHEN Wednesday, 27 July 2016 from 10:30 to 15:30 (BST) – Add to Calendar

WHERE University of Leicester – University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH – View Map