Poetics and Politics is a documentary research symposium that began in 2013. The symposium represents an opportunity for media makers working within the broad sweep of documentary practice to critically reflect on our own work—to come together to think out loud about what it is that we do, how we do it, and why it matters. Participants are invited to explore documentary media in its current state of production, exhibition, context, culture, significance, and possibility. Presentations include media works, scholarly papers, and completed research projects, but work-in-progress presentations are particularly welcome.