By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
The International Institute of Communications(IIC) has confirmed the judges for the IIC’s Future Leaders’ Competition, information from the institute’s Director-General of IIC, Lynn Robinson says. The IIC is keeping the judges names to its chest, meantime.
This year entrants are asked to produce an essay on the following topic: “Across the Metaverse: Policy priorities”
This year’s topic is all about the metaverse and IIC says it is asking entrants to create a picture of how they see the world evolving and to consider whether steps should be taken now to help shape its future, or whether the sector should be left to develop without direct policy intervention.
Oxford Reference has defined ‘the metaverse’ as a virtual representation of reality implemented by means of virtual reality software.
Background
This world of augmented reality and virtual reality brings technologies that could offer new ways of communicating and interacting. But as with digital platforms and artificial intelligence, the emerging ‘metaverse’ challenges policy-makers and regulators to encourage innovation in products and services, while watching for content and conduct that might be harmful to users or other businesses. Will there indeed be a whole new ‘metaverse’ or just an adaptation of current business and social practices? Are the policy issues limited to the use of digital assets and biometric data, or is there more to consider?
Participants should:
- Demonstrate a clear point of view
- Demonstrate awareness and understanding of contending viewpoints
- Provide a structured, clear, and cogent position and justification for that position
What are the rules?
By entering the competition, entrants agree to comply with the rules set out below.
Eligibility
- The Competition is open to individuals aged 35 and under, on competition closing date (to be announced soon)
- Entries must be the original work of the author and previously unpublished
- Collaboration with colleagues is permitted, however, there must be one lead author
Submission requirements
Allowing an essay word length of 2500 – 3000 words (to include an abstract of no more than 150 words), footnotes and figures are not included in the word limit
IIC don’t stipulate any special format for footnotes and referencing but you must acknowledge your sources and we ask that you be consistent in your style
Please submit your essay directly to e.garbett@iicom.org
Only 1 submission per person may be made (if collaborating with colleagues – the lead author will need to submit the entry)
Entries must be submitted in English
Entries will be evaluated on criteria including original thought and analysis – all submissions will be reviewed anonymously
The judges may determine not to award some or all the prizes and the judges’ determinations will be final
Awards
The overall winner will receive:
- An invitation to present their winning entry to the IIC’s Annual Conference (3-4 November 2022), subject to current travel advice, with all expenses paid and £250 subsistence
- Their winning entry to be published in InterMedia (the IIC’s quarterly journal). online and on our social media channels
- One year’s complimentary membership to the IIC Future Leaders’ Network – which includes access to the IIC’s networks and resources
The top ten entries will receive:
- Their abstract to be published in InterMedia
- Their entry to be published online
- One year’s complimentary membership to the IIC Future Leaders’ Network – which includes access to the IIC’s networks and resources
