Local Renaissance CFP

In March, our department will be hosting a one day conference called Reading Medieval And Renaissance English Literature, and the call has gone out to YOU! Papers to be submitted until January 6.

Transmedia conference CFP

ransmedia: Storytelling and Beyond
31st January to 1st February 2013
Sydney, Australia

Narratives and interactive experiences developed across different media platforms - each of which contributes something unique and valuable to the whole - have become standard fixtures in the contemporary digital landscape. The term 'transmedia storytelling' has enjoyed particular currency within academic circles while the media industry speaks in terms of multiplatform experiences. Much has been written on the subject in the academic and industry press, though new technologies and the pressure to do something innovative with the digital medium mean that the idea and practice of transmedia are in flux. While the debate over what to call this phenomenon remains unresolved, there is no denying its profound impact on the relationship between media producers, audiences/users, digital content and the devices used to consume and produce it. Naming conventions remain a contentious issue, however, there is also a need to examine other aspects of this emerging industry to en sure its ongoing sustainability. This call for presentations represents an invitation to introduce, highlight or clarify key questions concerning issues such as models for benchmarking, techniques for user engagement, value measurement, pedagogy and curriculum design, and evaluative techniques for complex and dynamic user engagement. Transmedia is, by its very nature, an interdisciplinary enterprise that draws from fields such creative writing, IT, film, television, media studies, economics, public policy, creative design, and education. Thus, the  project seeks to create a space for critical engagement that is enriched by the participation of academics, industry professionals and other stakeholders, as well as audience/users from across the disciplinary spectrum.

We are delighted to launch the project in Sydney with 2 one-day events organised around separate, yet related themes. We therefore welcome proposals for presentations, papers and panels on the following topics:
 
Day One 31st January 2013
- (Re)Defining and understanding the meaning of transmedia/multiplatform production
- Narrative/Aesthetic/Thematic analysis of transmedia/multiplatform experiences
- Social networking trends and their impact on transmedia/multiplatform development
- Technologies that drive transmedia/multiplatform consumption, production and the post-broadcast era as a whole
- Innovation in transmedia/multiplatform production
- The future of transmedia/multiplatform development, uses and engagement
- Pedagogies and curriculum design for teaching transmedia/multiplatform
- Cultural policy and the promotion of transmedia/multiplatform innovation
 
Day Two 1st February 2013
- Transmedia/multiplatform production business models
- Studies of transmedia/multiplatform audiences
- Defining and measuring audience/user engagement
- Uses and limitations of web analytics; new approaches

Abstracts and proposals not exceeding 300 words should be submitted jointly to the Organising Chairs by Friday 19th October 2012. Submissions may be in Word, WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this order:

a) author (s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract, e) body of abstract

E-mails should be entitled: TM1 Abstract Submission.
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using footnotes and any special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as bold, italics or underline). We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic route or resend.
 
Organising Chairs
Ann-Marie Cook, Deirdre Hynes and Debra Polson: ann-mariecook@inter-disciplinary.net

Rob Fisher: tm1@inter-disciplinary.net

This event is part of Inter-Disciplinary.Net's Global Transmedia Research Initiative, whose aim is to bring together people from different disciplinary and professional backgrounds in an ongoing series of activities dedicated to generating dialogue and research on the many facets of transmedia production, reception and industrial sustainability.

All papers accepted for and presented at this conference are eligible for publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers may be invited to go forward for development into a themed ISBN hard copy volume and dedicated journal.

Please note: Since each day is a self-contained event, participants may opt to register for one or two days. We regret that as a not-for-profit network, Inter-Disciplinary.Net is not in a position to assist with conference travel or subsistence.

As part of a global Transmedia research initiative, this project brings together academics and industry professionals to explore issues and case studies around production, reception and industrial sustainability of transmedia/multiplatform experience

Enquiries: tm1@inter-disciplinary.net
Web address: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/research/research-nexus/digital-nexus/global-project-on-transmedia/transmedia-storytelling-and-beyond/
Sponsored by: Inter-Disciplinary.Net

Comics Forum 2012

http://comicsforum.org/comics-forum-2012/

A new CFP - chronicity

Chronicity
Thursday 30th August – Saturday 1st September 2012
Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom
The Call:
The apparent increase in and diversity of chronic conditions calls
for better understandings of the spaces between health and illness
that chronic patients occupy, often for most of their lives and raises
questions not just about those that suffer, but also about those that
care for them, available treatments and care, and social
inclusiveness.
Questions: 1) How can we articulate the tension between the
biomedical model of chronicity and its embodied experience? 2) What
language and other forms of representation can we use to map, chart
and begin to explore the meanings possible within such spaces? 3) What
insights can these provide to inform better chronic care management?
4) What is the relationship between chronicity and wellbeing? 5) How
do individuals, societies and cultures make sense of chronicity?
Themes for Papers/ Workshops/ Short Performances:
1. The Borderlands:
- well but ill; degrees of wellness; degrees of illness.
- chronic illness; terminal illness
- chronic pain/ acute pain
- metaphors for and of the journey
2. Understanding CI
- clinical trials/ Big Pharma and CI
- identity and sense of self
- shame, stigma and guilt
- medicine, the clinical gaze, and CI
- the relationship with our body
3. Living with CI
- CI and family
- CI and work
- CI and disability
- CI and ethnicity
- CI and gender
4. Giving CI Voices
- the language of CI
- narrating CI
- representing CI
- performing CI
5. Coping with CI
- chronic pain
- managing chronic illness/self-managing chronic illness
- life, time and reinventing meaning
- healthcare and CI
- living well
 THE WHAT: The 2012 meeting of Chronicity will run alongside the
fifth of our projects on Making Sense Of: Madness and we anticipate
holding sessions in common between the two projects. We welcome any
papers or panels considering the problems or addressing issues that
cross both projects. Papers will be considered on any related theme.
300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 27th April 2012.
 THE HOW: Abstracts should be submitted simultaneously to all
Organising Chairs; abstracts may be in Word, WordPerfect, or RTF
formats with the following information and in this order: a)
author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract, e)
body of abstract, f) up to 10 keywords. E-mails should be entitled:
CHR2 Abstract Submission
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using any
special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as bold, italics or
underline). Please note that a Book of Abstracts is planned for the
end of the year. All accepted abstracts will be included in this
publication. We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals
submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should
assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be lost in
cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic
route or resend.
Organising Chair.
Maria Vaccarella : maria.vaccarella@inter-disciplinary.net
<mailto:maria.vaccarella@inter-disciplinary.net>
Rob Fisher: chronicity2@inter-disciplinary.net
<mailto:chronicity2@inter-disciplinary.net>
For further details of the conference, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/probing-the-boundaries/making-sense-of/chronicity/call-for-papers/
<../../../../probing-the-boundaries/making-sense-of/chronicity/call-for-papers/>
Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and

Literary London 2012

Call for Papers - Literary London 2012

Hosted by: the Institute of English Studies, University of London
Organised by: The Literary London Society
4-6 July 2012

The 11th Annual Literary London conference will be hosted by the Institute of English Studies, University of London, on 4-6 July 2012. The Institute is located in Bloomsbury, at the centre of literary London, and just a few minutes’ walk from such attractions as the British Library, the British Museum, and the clubs, pubs, and restaurants of Soho. It is at the heart of London: one of the world's major cities with a long and rich literary tradition reflecting both its diversity and its significance as a cultural and commercial centre. Literary London 2012 aims to:

• Read literary and dramatic texts in their historical and social context and in relation to theoretical approaches to the study of the metropolis.
• Investigate the changing cultural and historical geography of London.
• Consider the social, political, and spiritual fears, hopes, and perceptions that have inspired representations of London.
• Trace different traditions of representing London and examine how the pluralism of London society is reflected in London literature.
• Celebrate the contribution London and Londoners have made to English literature and drama.

Proposals are invited for 20-minute papers, comprised panels, and roundtable sessions, which consider any period or genre of literature about, set in, inspired by, or alluding to central and suburban London and its environs, from the city’s roots in pre-Roman times to its imagined futures. While the main focus of the conference will be on literary texts, we actively encourage interdisciplinary contributions relating film, architecture, geography, theories of urban space, etc., to literary representations of London. Papers from postgraduate students are particularly welcome for consideration. While papers on all areas of literary London are welcomed, the conference theme in 2012 is ‘Sports, Games, and Pastimes’. Topics that might be addressed are:

• Sport: participation, spectatorship, and sporting events including the three London Olympics
• Gambling
• Shopping and fashion
• Pubs and coffee houses
• Games and hobbies
• Holidays, downtime, and park-life
• Child’s play
• Reading and writing as pastimes

Please submit all proposals for 20-minute papers, comprised panels, and roundtable sessions using the online forms at http://www.literarylondon.org/conference/
All proposals must be received by the deadline of 1 April 2012

For more information about the conference, please contact the conference organiser, Martin Dines, at conference@literarylondon.org

The full call for papers, online proposals forms, and information about the Literary London Society and the Literary London Journal can be found at the Society’s website:http://www.literarylondon.org

Please circulate this CFP far and wide!

The Graphic Novel - CFP

1st Global Conference:
The Graphic Novel
Friday 7th September 2012 – Sunday 9th September 2012
Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom
“Behind this mask there is more than just flesh. Beneath this mask
there is an idea… and ideas are bulletproof.”
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta
Call for Papers:
This inter- and multi-disciplinary conference aims to examine,
explore and critically engage with issues in and around the
production, creation and reading of all forms of comics and graphic
novels. Taken as a form of pictographic narrative it has been with us
since the first cave paintings and even in the 21st century remains a
hugely popular, vibrant and culturally relevant means of communication
whether expressed as sequential art, graphic literature, bandes
dessinees, tebeos, fumetti, manga, manhwa, komiks, strips,
historietas, quadrinhos, beeldverhalen, or just plain old comics. (as
noted by Paul Gravett)
Whilst the form itself became established in the 19th Century it is
perhaps not until the 20th century that comic book heroes like
Superman (who has been around since 1938) became, not just beloved
characters, but national icons. With the globalisation of publishing
brands such as Marvel and DC it is no accident that there has been an
increase in graphic novel adaptations and their associated
merchandising. Movies such as X-men, Iron man, Watchmen and the recent
Thor have grossed millions of dollars across the world and many
television series have been continued off-screen in the graphic form,
Buffy, Firefly and Farscape to name a few.
Of course America and Europe is not the only base of this art form
and the Far East and Japan have their own traditions as well as a huge
influence on graphic representations across the globe. In particular
Japanese manga has influenced comics in Taiwan, South Korea, Hong
Kong, China, France and the United States, and have created an amazing
array of reflexive appropriations and re-appropriations, in not just
in comics but in anime as well.
Of equal importance in this growth and relevance of the graphic novel
are the smaller and independent publishers that have produced
influential works such as Maus by Art Spiegleman, Persepolis by
Marjane Satrapi, Palestine by Joe Sacco, Epileptic by David B and even
Jimmy Corrigan by Chris Ware that explore, often on a personal level,
contemporary concerns such as gender, diaspora, post-colonialism,
sexuality, globalisation and approaches to health, terror and
identity. Further to this the techniques and styles of the graphic
novel have taken further form online creating entirely web-comics and
hypertexts, as in John Cei Douglas’ Lost and Found and Shelley
Jackson’s Patchwork Girl, as well as forming part of larger
trans-media narratives and submersive worlds, as in the True Blood
franchise that invites fans to enter and participate in constructing a
narrative in many varied formats and locations.
This projects invites papers that consider the place of the comic or
graphic novel in both history and location and the ways that it
appropriates and is appropriated by other media in the enactment of
individual, social and cultural identity.
Papers, reports, work-in-progress, workshops and pre-formed panels
are invited on issues related to (but not limited to) the following
themes:
 * Just what makes a Graphic Novel so Graphic and so Novel?:
 ~Sources, early representations and historical contexts of the form.

 ~Landmarks in development, format and narratology.
 ~Cartoons, comics, graphic novels and artists books.
 ~Words, images, texture and colour and what makes a GN
 ~Format, layout, speech bubbles and “where the *@#% do we go from
here?”
 * The Inner and Outer Worlds of the Graphic Novel:
 ~Outer and Inner spaces; Thoughts, cities, and galaxies and other
representations of graphic place and space.
 ~ Differing temporalities, Chronotopes and “time flies”:
Intertextuality, editing and the nature of Graphic and/or Deleuzian
time.
 ~ Graphic Superstars and Words versus Pictures: Alan Moore v Dave
Gibbons (Watchmen) Neil Gaiman v Jack Kirby (Sandman).
 ~Performance and performativity of, in and around graphic
representations.
 ~Transcriptions and translations: literature into pictures, films
into novels and high/low graphic arts.
 * Identity, Meanings and Otherness:
 ~GN as autobiography, witnessing, diary and narrative
 ~Representations of disability, illness, coping and normality
 ~Cultural appropriations, east to west and globalisation
 ~National identity, cultural icons and stereo-typical villains
 ~Immigration, postcolonial and stories of exile
 ~Representing gender, sexualities and non-normative identities.
 ~Politics, prejudices and polemics: banned, censored and comix that
are “just plain wrong”
 ~Other cultures, other voices, other words
 * To Infinity and Beyond: The Graphic Novel in the 21st Century:
 ~Fanzines and Slash-mags: individual identity through appropriation.

 ~Creator and Created: Interactions and interpolations between
authors and audience.
 ~Hypertext, Multiple formats and inter-active narratives.
 ~Cross media appropriation, GN into film, gaming and merchandisng
and vice versa
 ~Graphic Myths and visions of the future: Sandman, Hellboy, Ghost in
the Shell.
Papers can be accepted which deal solely with Graphic Novels. This
project will run concurrently with our project on Fear, Horror and
Terror – we welcome any papers considering the problems or
addressing issues on Fear, Horror and Terror and Graphic Novels for a
cross-over panel. We also welcome pre-formed panels on any aspect of
the Graphic Novel or in relation to crossover panel(s).
Papers will be accepted which deal with related areas and themes. 300
word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 16th March 2012. If an
abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should be
submitted by Friday 22nd June 2012. 300 word abstracts should be
submitted to the Organising Chairs; abstracts may be in Word,
WordPerfect, or RTF formats, following this order:
a) author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract,
e) body of abstract, f) up to 10 keywords
E-mails should be entitled: GN1 Abstract Submission
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using any
special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as bold, italics or
underline). We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals
submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should
assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be lost in
cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic
route or resend.
Organising Chairs
Nadine Farghaly
Paris-Lodron University, Salzburg,
Austria
E-mail: Nadine.Farghaly@gmx.net <mailto:Nadine.Farghaly@gmx.net>
Rob Fisher
Network Leader
Inter-Disciplinary.Net,
Freeland, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
E-Mail: gn1@inter-disciplinary.net
<mailto:gn1@inter-disciplinary.net>
The conference is part of the Education Hub series of research
projects, which in turn belong to the At the Interface programmes of
Inter-Disciplinary.Net. It aims to bring together people from
different areas and interests to share ideas and explore discussions
which are innovative and challenging. All papers accepted for and
presented at this conference are eligible for publication in an ISBN
eBook. Selected papers may be invited to go forward for development
into a themed ISBN hard copy volume or volumes.
For further details of the project, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/at-the-interface/education/the-graphic-novel/
<../../../../at-the-interface/education/the-graphic-novel/>
For further details of the conference, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/at-the-interface/education/the-graphic-novel/call-for-papers/
<../../../../at-the-interface/education/the-graphic-novel/call-for-papers/>
Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and
we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel
or subsistence.

Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction - CFP

7th Global Conference
Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction
Sunday 15th July 2012 – Tuesday 17th July 2012
Mansfield College, Oxford
Call for Papers:
This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to
explore what it is to be human and the nature of human community in
cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction. In particular, the
project will explore the possibilities offered by these contexts for
creative thinking about persons and the challenges posed to the nature
and future of national, international, and global communities.
Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to
any of the following themes;
 * the relationship between cyberculture, cyberspace, science fiction
 * cyberculture, cyberpunk and the near future: utopias vs. dystopias
 * science fiction and cyberpunk as a medium for exploring the nature
of persons
 * humans and cyborgs; the synergy of humans and technology; changing
views of the body
 * human and post-human concepts in digital arts and cinema
 * digital artistic practices and aesthetics
 * mobile media, place and the telematic body
 * bodies in cyberculture; body modifications; from apes to androids
– electronic evolution; biotechnical advances and the impact of
life, death, and social existence
 * artificial intelligence, robotics and biomedia: self-organization
as a cultural logic
 * gender and cyberspace: new gender, new feminisms, new
masculinities
 * cyberpunk and steampunk: exploring the differences and
similarities
 * online cultures of virtual worlds and videogames and its impact on
science fiction
 * interactive storytelling, emergent narratives, transmedia
storytelling
 * nature, enhancing nature, and artificial intelligence; artificial
life, life and information systems
 * networked living in future city, new urban lifestyles
 * human and post-human politics; cyborg citizenship and rights;
influence of political technologies
 * boundaries, frontiers and taboos in cyberculture
The Steering Group particularly welcomes the submission of pre-formed
panel proposals. Papers will also be considered on any related theme.
300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 13th January 2012. If
an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should
be submitted by Friday 11th May 2012. Abstracts should be submitted
simultaneously to both Organising Chairs; abstracts may be in Word,
WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this
order:
a) author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract,
e) body of abstract, f) up to 10 key words
E-mails should be entitled: VISIONS7 Abstract Submission.
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using
footnotes and any special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as
bold, italics or underline). Please note that a Book of Abstracts is
planned for the end of the year. All accepted abstracts will be
included in this publication. We acknowledge receipt and answer to all
paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a
week you should assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be
lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative
electronic route or resend.
Joint Organising Chairs:
Daniel Riha
Charles University
Prague,
Czech Republic
Email: rihad@inter-disciplinary.net
Rob Fisher
Network Founder and Leader
Inter-Disciplinary.Net
Freeland, Oxfordshire,
United Kingdom
Email: cyber7@inter-disciplinary.net
The conference is part of the ‘Critical Issues’ series of
research projects run by Inter-Disciplinary.Net. It aims to bring
together people from different areas and interests to share ideas and
explore various discussions which are innovative and challenging. All
papers accepted for and presented at the conference are eligible for
publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers may be invited to go
forward for development into 20-25 page chapters for publication in a
themed dialogic ISBN hard copy volume.
For further details of the project, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/critical-issues/cyber/visions-of-humanity/
For further details of the conference, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/critical-issues/cyber/visions-of-humanity/call-for-papers/
Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and
we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel
or subsistence.

CFP for conference "Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction"

7th Global Conference
Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction
Sunday 15th July 2012 – Tuesday 17th July 2012
Mansfield College, Oxford
Call for Papers:
This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to
explore what it is to be human and the nature of human community in
cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction. In particular, the
project will explore the possibilities offered by these contexts for
creative thinking about persons and the challenges posed to the nature
and future of national, international, and global communities.
Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to
any of the following themes;
 * the relationship between cyberculture, cyberspace, science fiction
 * cyberculture, cyberpunk and the near future: utopias vs. dystopias
 * science fiction and cyberpunk as a medium for exploring the nature
of persons
 * humans and cyborgs; the synergy of humans and technology; changing
views of the body
 * human and post-human concepts in digital arts and cinema
 * digital artistic practices and aesthetics
 * mobile media, place and the telematic body
 * bodies in cyberculture; body modifications; from apes to androids
– electronic evolution; biotechnical advances and the impact of
life, death, and social existence
 * artificial intelligence, robotics and biomedia: self-organization
as a cultural logic
 * gender and cyberspace: new gender, new feminisms, new
masculinities
 * cyberpunk and steampunk: exploring the differences and
similarities
 * online cultures of virtual worlds and videogames and its impact on
science fiction
 * interactive storytelling, emergent narratives, transmedia
storytelling
 * nature, enhancing nature, and artificial intelligence; artificial
life, life and information systems
 * networked living in future city, new urban lifestyles
 * human and post-human politics; cyborg citizenship and rights;
influence of political technologies
 * boundaries, frontiers and taboos in cyberculture
The Steering Group particularly welcomes the submission of pre-formed
panel proposals. Papers will also be considered on any related theme.
300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 13th January 2012. If
an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should
be submitted by Friday 11th May 2012. Abstracts should be submitted
simultaneously to both Organising Chairs; abstracts may be in Word,
WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this
order:
a) author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract,
e) body of abstract, f) up to 10 key words
E-mails should be entitled: VISIONS7 Abstract Submission.
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using
footnotes and any special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as
bold, italics or underline). Please note that a Book of Abstracts is
planned for the end of the year. All accepted abstracts will be
included in this publication. We acknowledge receipt and answer to all
paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a
week you should assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be
lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative
electronic route or resend.
Joint Organising Chairs:
Daniel Riha
Charles University
Prague,
Czech Republic
Email: rihad@inter-disciplinary.net
Rob Fisher
Network Founder and Leader
Inter-Disciplinary.Net
Freeland, Oxfordshire,
United Kingdom
Email: cyber7@inter-disciplinary.net
The conference is part of the ‘Critical Issues’ series of
research projects run by Inter-Disciplinary.Net. It aims to bring
together people from different areas and interests to share ideas and
explore various discussions which are innovative and challenging. All
papers accepted for and presented at the conference are eligible for
publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers may be invited to go
forward for development into 20-25 page chapters for publication in a
themed dialogic ISBN hard copy volume.
For further details of the project, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/critical-issues/cyber/visions-of-humanity/
For further details of the conference, please visit:
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/critical-issues/cyber/visions-of-humanity/call-for-papers/
Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and
we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel
or subsistence.

Conference on childhood - CFP

2nd Global Conference The Child: A Persons Project Saturday 7th July 2012 – Monday 9th July 2012 Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom Call for Papers: After a hiatus of one year, the Childhood Project is returning. This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary conference project seeks to investigate and explore all aspects of childhood. The period of life prior to adulthood is one of dramatic change and development of physical, intellectual, psychological, and many other types of characteristics. The nature of childhood and its significance as a separate phase of life, however, is viewed quite differently in different cultures and in different historical eras. This conference will look at all aspects of the experience of childhood as well as the social and cultural perceptions of children and childhood. We encourage submissions on any theme to do with the nature of childhood, including, but not limited to the ones listed below. 1. Definitions of Childhood * How has the concept of childhood developed over time? * How is childhood viewed differently across different cultures and eras? * What are the boundaries of childhood? (Are children made to grow up too fast? Are mature people infantilized by definitions of the boundaries of childhood?) * Is ‘childhood’ a singular category or is it composed of quite distinct multiple categories? How does defining childhood also define adulthood and vice versa? 2. Childhood and Development * What are the important aspects of physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, moral, social, etc. development in childhood? * How do institutions (like schools, medical centres, and even legal systems) effectively nurture the unique developmental needs of children? * How has our understanding of childhood as a period of development changed over time? Are there ways we are still getting it significantly wrong? 3. Children and Relationships * What are the dynamics of children’s relationships with their family, peers, and their community? * How are children’s social relationships either experienced positively or negatively? * What are the dynamics of children’s relationships with social institutions (like schools and religious organizations)? * What is the nature of children’s relationships with animals and nature? 4. Perceptions and Depictions of Childhood * How do adults perceive children and childhood? * How do they perceive the capabilities, responsibilities, and privileges of childhood? * How do they perceive their own experiences of childhood? (With nostalgia? embarrassment? amusement?) * How do children perceive themselves? * How are children and childhood depicted in academia and in the media such as art, literature, film, television, advertising, etc.? 5. Other Issues of Childhood * Children and education: What issues are the concerning how children are educated? * Children and leisure: How is involvement in recreational activities (including sports) either beneficial or harmful to children? * Children and the law: Does the criminal justice system effectively deal with children both as victims of crime and as perpetrators of crime? * Children and rights: What rights do children have in virtue of being children? To what extent must the choices of children be respected? * Children and gender: How are children socialized into gender-specific roles? What are the issues and concerns connected to how children form gender and sexual identities? * What is the nature of children’s relationship to the world of work? * Childhood in transition: how does adolescence bridge the child/adult world and to what extent are adolescents caught in a double-bind of being children and being adults? The Steering Group welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel proposals. 300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 13th January 2012. If an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should be submitted by Friday 11th May 2012. 300 word abstracts should be submitted simultaneously to both Organising Chairs; abstracts may be in Word, WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this order: a) author(s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract, e) body of abstract, f) up to 10 key words E-mails should be entitled: CHILD2 Abstract Submission. Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using footnotes and any special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as bold, italics or underline). Please note that a Book of Abstracts is planned for the end of the year. All accepted abstracts will be included in this publication. We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic route or resend. Joint Organising Chairs: Wendy Turgeon Project Leader St. Joseph’s College, New York, USA Email: turgeon@optonline.net Rob Fisher Network Founder and Leader Inter-Disciplinary.Net Freeland, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Email: child2@inter-disciplinary.net The conference is part of the Probing the Boundaries programme of research projects. It aims to bring together people from different areas and interests to share ideas and explore various discussions which are innovative and exciting. All papers accepted for and presented at this conference will be eligible for publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers maybe invited for development for publication in a themed hard copy volume(s) For further details of the project, please visit: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/probing-the-boundaries/persons/childhood/ For further details of the conference, please visit:http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/probing-the-boundaries/persons/childhood/call-for-papers/ Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel or subsistence.

CFP for NeMLA - Apocalyptic Projections

I think this might be interesting

CFP
NeMLA March 15-18, 2012, Rochester, NY, U.S.A.

Apocalyptic Projections in Sci-Fi and/or Fantasy Literature for 2012 and Beyond

This panel provides an opportunity to explore the ramifications of the 2012 doomsday prophesiers on cultural behavior as witnessed within the genre of science fiction literature and cinema. The term apocalyptic may include any means of total or near-total destruction, whether it is caused by humans, aliens or Nature. Papers analyzing the role apocalyptic sci-fi and/or fantasy have played and continue to play in literature, cinema, theater and other aspects of culture will be the main emphasis of this panel. Focus can be on apocalyptic visual arts and cinema, but written literature is also appropriate.
Please send e-mail abstracts of 250-300 words in MS Word to Annette M. Magid, SUNY Erie Community College .

Deadline: September 30, 2011
Please include with your abstract:
Name and Affiliation
Proposed title for your paper
E-mail address
Postal address
Telephone number
A/V requirements (if any; $10 handling fee with registration)


Visit the website at Http://www.nemla.org/convention/2012/