*CFP* "ETHNOGRAPHIC APPROACHES TO ALTERNATIVE CRYPTOCURRENCY FUNCTION AND DEVELOPMENT", THE SOCIAL LIVES OF ALTCOINS

There is an increasing number of studies on cryptocurrencies. Although many studies are substantive and vital as Holub and Johnson (2018:119) suggest most works focus on similar topics and there is a need to widen the scope of research areas (Hileman& Rauchus, 2017). Our book aims to enlarge the scope of the field with our specific emphasis and intends to focus on a topic that is understudied: Particular stories/ histories of alt-coins. The number of cryptocurrencies is rapidly increasing although bitcoin remains to be the most popular one in media and among lay citizens. Miners, traders, blockchain-based project startups, financial journalists, amateur investors, financiers, official discourses and other actors all contribute to an emerging industry of cryptocurrencies. A practical materiality (Maurer et al., 2013) emerges out these sets of actors that make up a particular cryptocurrency (and its community). Moreover, cryptocurrencies do have value propositions and initiate new mediators and social ties despite the initial claims in the emergence of Bitcoin.

While social attention is increasing on cryptocurrencies, the current literature is still scant regarding ethnographic interests. There are only a few ethnographic studies that triggered this particular perspective (Dodd, 2018; Mai, 2016). Especially, with the articulation of cryptocurrencies into different social spaces, ethnographic insights or examinations will be more critical, and they are a need for making holistic analyzes. Our book will provide comprehensive insights into the new monetary actors or intermediaries. Accordingly, there is a significant research opportunity to handle the phenomena from the ethnographic perspectives or critical thought, and this is what distinguishes our book from the upcoming projects. Our book will be one of the earlier publications in this field.

Recommended Topics

Every chapter aims to focus on how different actors form an assemblage to create a particular altcoin. Local value (and knowledge) of cryptocurrencies are created in a contested manner between different actors. Mai et al. (2016), for instance, compared social media impact on Bitcoin performance by looking at internet forums and social media channels (especially Twitter).

What particular business models by which means were communicated to launch an altcoin will be part of a chapter narrative.

Overall, the book intends to study the social lives of altcoins (Appadurai ed. 1988 can also be seen as an early inspirational work) in considering above mentioned issues. Therefore, potential uses of our book are also composed of several academic disciplines: 

• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies
• Science and technology studies
• Economy
• Law
• Public Policy
• Finance
• Accounting

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before March 18, 2019, a chapter proposal of 1,000 to 2,000 words clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors will be notified by April 1, 2019 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. 

Full chapters are expected to be submitted by May 1, 2019, and all interested authors must consult the guidelines for manuscript submissions here prior to submission.

All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for manuscripts submitted to this book publication, Ethnographic Approaches to Alternative Cryptocurrency Function and Development. All manuscripts are accepted based on a double-blind peer review editorial process. All proposals should be submitted through the eEditorial Discovery®TM online submission manager.

Publisher: This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference), "Medical Information Science Reference", "Business Science Reference" and "Engineering Science Reference" imprints. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2020.

Important Dates

Submission of Long Abstracts: 18th March 2019

Submission of Full Chapters: 1st May 2019

Provision of peer-reviewed feedback: 31th May 2019

Submission of revised accepted chapters: 9th August 2019

Inquiries

Erkan Saka (erkan.saka@bilgi.edu.tr)

Anıl Sayan (anil.sayan@bilgi.edu.tr)

Propose a Chapter here.