CFP: Annual Lesbian Lives Conference ‘The Modern Lesbian’

Readers may be interested in the following CFP and event:

Call for Papers 20th Annual Lesbian Lives Conference ‘The Modern Lesbian’
15-16th February 2013
Hosted by University of Brighton LGBT and Queer Life Research Hub
In conjunction with Women’s Studies Centre, University College Dublin

The theme for the 20th Annual Lesbian Lives Conference is The Modern Lesbian. Conference conveners of this two-day international and interdisciplinary conference now welcome proposals from academics, scholars, students, activists, documentary and film-makers, writers and artists.

This year’s keynote speakers and guests include: Sarah Schulman, Lisa Downing, a book launch of Laura Doan’s Disturbing Practices: History, Sexuality and Women’s Experience of Modern War, 1914-18, Rachel Adams (The Modern Lesbian photography project), plus special screening/panels from the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

Proposals are welcomed on (though are by no means limited to) the following: • The Modern Lesbian? • lesbians and (post-)modernism • lesbians and The New Woman • lesbians in the history of sexuality • lesbians and modernity • lesbian mobilities, migrations, movements and diasporas • Age, aging, generation gaps, lifecourses and has'bians • Bisexuals, bi-queers, and other (post-)moderns • modern transitions, trans modernities, Trans people • gender violence/s • lesbians (and) technologies • Modern media • Modern lifestyles • lesbians and surrealism • lesbians, fashion and fashion statements • Feminism and Eugenics • Political campaigns and communities • (emerging) communities, identities, labels and transgressions • (traditional) weddings, (serial) marriages • pets, animals and other non-humans • lesbians, sex, reproduction and bed death • the lesbian detective • lesbian pulp • queer temporalities, futures and futurism • queering surrealism

The conference organisers welcome proposals for (A) individual papers, (B) sessions, (C) round table discussions, (D) workshops and (E) visual presentations or performances. (*see below for more details) This year’s conference also includes a series of film screenings, which will run concurrently with the main programme. We encourage submissions across all genres, both fact and fiction which align to the conference theme, and which have been produced within the last two years. Please see our website for further details about each of these: http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/projects/lgbt/events/events/lesbian-lives-conference-2012 

The Lesbian Lives Conference is open to all genders and any political and sexual orientations. There is an ethos of welcome and accessibility. E-mail proposals of no more than 300 words to LGBTQ@brighton.ac.uk.

If your proposal is for the film strand, please include a url to the work, which should be available to view online (please ensure that you include any password details if it is not publicly accessible). Please do not send hard copies to us. The closing date for the submission of proposals is Friday 14th September 2013 For more details and for regular conference updates visit http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/projects/lgbt/events/events/lesbian-lives-conference-2012 

The Lesbian Lives Conference has been organised by the Women’s Studies Centre at University College Dublin for the first seventeen years and in 2011 celebrated its 18th birthday in Brighton. In 2013 The University of Brighton is delighted to co-host the 20th conference. The Lesbian Lives Conference is not just the world’s only annual academic conference in Lesbian Studies, it is a large international event that draws speakers and participants from all continents and hosts the best-known as well as emerging scholars in the field. It aims to provide a public debate platform for community voices.

In the past we have hosted Emma Donoghue, Jackie Kay, Joan Nestle, Cherry Smyth, Del La Grace Volcano, Sarah Waters and academics such as Sara Ahmed, Terry Castle, Laura Doan, Lillian Faderman, Sarah Franklin, Claire Hemmings, Alison Hennegan, Sally R. Munt, Helena Whitbread, Bonnie Zimmerman among many others. The social, cultural and artistic impact of this annual conference cannot be underestimated as it gathers together academics, activists, performers and writers who do not otherwise have the opportunity to address such large audiences or to network across international and professional boundaries. It is a forum for political organisation on the levels of both community activism and established international NGOs. Many books (academic and literary) and films (documentaries and dramas) are launched at this event and it is continually referenced in lesbian work and events internationally. The conference sets the parameters for debate in the manifold disciplines that now take ‘Lesbian’ or ‘Lesbian Communities’ as the object of enquiry or as a category for analysis.

*The conference organizers welcome proposals for (A) individual papers, (B) sessions, (C) round table discussions, (D) workshops and (E) visual presentations or performances: A. Individual Papers: Individual papers should last 20 minutes (c. 2,400 words). Individuals should submit: (1) paper title, (2) abstract (up to 300 words), (3) biography (c. 100-150 words), (4) institutional affiliation and address (if any), (5) audio-visual requirements. B. Sessions: Panels of academic papers should include 3 speakers and 1 moderator. Each paper should last for 20 minutes (c. 2,400 words), with a further 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Proposers should submit (1) session title, (2) paper titles, (3) abstracts for each paper (c. 100 words), (3) biography for each participant (c. 100-150 words), (4) institutional affiliation and address (if any) for each participant, (5) audio-visual requirements. C. Round Table Discussions: Round table discussions should include 6 speakers and 1 moderator. Each paper should last for 10 minutes (c. 1,200 words), with a further 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Proposers should submit (1) round table title, (2) rationale for round table (up to 300 words), (3) biography for each participant (c. 100-150 words), (4) institutional affiliation and address for each participant (if any), (5) audio-visual requirements. D. Workshops: Workshops last 90 minutes. Proposers should submit (1) workshop title, (2) rationale for workshop (up to 300 words), (3) biography (c. 100-150 words), (4) institutional affiliation and address (if any) E. Visual presentations or performances; documentary, video, art, musical, theatrical, comic or multi-media presentations by individuals or groups are welcomed.

Share this: