How to investigate youth in the media city?

March 23-24 Yana Krupets and Nadezhda Vasilieva attended a work seminar on the DiMe project and professor of Miriya Georgiu' lecture in University of Helsinki

In the meeting held on 23 and 24 March in Helsinki, the Russian-Finnish team discussed the possibilities and limitations of using the concept of "media city" project DiMe ("DIGITAL YOUTH IN THE MEDIA CITY: Urban Ethnography in the Streets and Stations of Helsinki and St Petersburg" supported by Kone Foundation). Visiting professor Miriya Georgiu (London School of Economics), working at the intersection of media studies, migration, urban studies and anthropology, also participated in the seminar.

You may find more information about the project “Digital youth and media city” on the website or here

Before the seminar, Miriya Georgiu presented a report "Is London open? Mediation and the ordering of cosmopolitanism in times of crisis" focused on the intermediary role of the campaign #LondonIsOpen. The campaign was launched by mayor of London, to show that the British capital is open to business and world. (Link.) It was initiated as reaction to the results of 2006th referendum, which caused disspleasure of the part of Londoners.

In her speech Georgiu focused on the image of the campaign in social media, and online and offline reaction of Londoners on proposed cosmopolitanism. Using intersectional analysis of cosmopolitanism, author considered various representations of the city and showed political and ethical problems occured during campaign.

In addition to the scientific events, Nadezhda and Yana together with Arseniy Svinarenko and Heta Mulari visited various youth spaces: DIY sauna, illegally built by young enthusiasts, the local youth center and legal walls for graffiti.  Two days of intensive  and prolific work were exciting and inspiring.