CFP: Two-Day International Seminar on Mirroring Change: Literature and Social Transformation 3rd & 4th October 2024 ~ Pondicherry University

The Department of English at Pondicherry University has been an important educational destination for research scholars and students, ever since it commenced functioning in 1986. Over the years, the department has produced innumerable PhD and M. Phil scholars, in addition to a large number of postgraduate students. The faculty of the department with their different specializations and academic interests are at the forefront of innovative teaching and advanced research varying from contemporary literary, cultural and language studies to theoretical explorations. The department also runs a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Communication in English, an add-on program, in much demand among students and employees.

Furthermore, the department has also sought to enhance the language and communication skills of students from across the University through Functional

English and other communication-oriented courses. Another hallmark of the department is the Research and Cultural Forum (RCF) which acts as an avenue for scholars and students to showcase their research work and creative abilities. The department has also been at the forefront of organizing seminars, workshops and faculty development programs.

 

 

 

 

About Research and Cultural Forum (RCF):

Conceived thirty-five years ago as Research and Journal Alert Forum (RJAF) at the Department of English, Pondicherry University, RCF is a platform for research scholars and students of the department to discuss their research findings in various areas related to literature and culture and also present their creative talents. Run exclusively by the research scholars of the department, under the guidance of the faculty members and the support of MA students the forum hosts invited talks, workshops and interactive sessions by experts of national and international repute in the emerging areas of English Studies. The forum was recently renamed Research and Cultural Forum to integrate the department's research and cultural outputs. Now, it proudly undertakes the mission of bringing together and highlighting the role of literature in social transformation through this two-day International Seminar.

 

About the Seminar:

 A Two-Day International Seminar has been planned by the Department of English on the 3rd & 4th of October 2024, with the focus area “Mirroring Change: Literature and Social Transformation”.

 Theme:

 Literature has been able to predict, analyze, and critique social, economic and political change for a long time. This, in turn, has contributed to understanding social and political transformation through a medium that has been conventionally seen to be largely imaginative and fictional. While Orwell’s cautionary tale, 1984 predicted the effects of totalitarian regimes and surveillance, Harriet Beecher’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin “helped lay the groundwork for the American Civil War” (Kaufman, 2006: 18). If Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath brought into full view the travails of America during the Great Depression, Munshi Premchand’s Godaan brutally exposed poverty and the evils of the zamindari system in India. Literature has thus been constantly in sync with the changing silhouettes of society.

 The conference aims to explore how literature has closely interacted with and mirrored the intricate matrix of the social and political milieu. This interaction has resulted in innumerable texts that have reflected these significant changes and helped us understand an ever-changing world. The wide gamut of social, political, economic, cultural, sociological and anthropological change has prompted the writer to ask questions, show up the mirror and sometimes even offer prescriptions for ills, thus making literature a vehicle for social transformation.  The conference aims to investigate and explore the significant role that literature has played in reflecting these changes, therefore acting as truth-seeker, sentinel, chronicler, and critic, all rolled into one.   

 The conference aims to explore the interchange between literature and social transformation across varied arenas and can include, but is not restricted, to the following areas:

•           Political upheaval and social movements

•           Caste, class and hierarchy

•           Reigns, regimes and democracy

•           Marxism and literature

•           Changing dimensions of gender

•           Queer narratives

•           Geographies, borders and migration

•           Indigenous literatures

•           Anthropocene, Ecocriticism and Ecofeminism 

•           Dalit literature and social justice

•           Technology and literature

•           Popular culture and subcultures

•           Medical imperialism and illness narratives

  Registration Fee:

 Faculty Members:      Rs. 2000

Research Scholars:     Rs. 1000

PG Students:               Rs. 500

Co-authors are required to pay individually.

 UG students (participation only): Rs 200

 Abstracts:

 Abstracts can be uploaded through the Google form link

below on or before 30th August 2024.

 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/CA78DHY86yfQtzhW9

 Your queries may be addressed to rcfseminar2024@gmail.com

 Important Dates:

 Last date for sending abstracts: 30th August 2024

Confirmation of acceptance will be communicated by: 2nd September 2024

Complete papers are to be sent by: 27th September 2024 

 Address for Communication:

 Drishya K.

Steward  C.        

Research Scholars                                                     

Department of English                                              

Pondicherry University                                             

Puducherry-605014                                                   

8589825788, 8270410154                                  

Call For Applications: Funded Ambedkar Summer School 2024-Indian Institute of Dalit Studies- May 19-24, 2024

Ambedkar Summer School, a week-long residential programme, organised by IIDS and RLS, aims to develop the capacity of youths from marginalised social groups by strengthening the knowledge discourse and critical understanding of issues related to public policy in practice through reading/writing, dialogue, debates, discussions and critical questioning using lived experiences.

Young research scholars and activists who are working on inter-group inequality, marginalization and social exclusion in public policy in India can apply.

The applicants need to send extended abstract (around 1000 words) along with annotated bibliography on the Public Policy and Marginalized Social Groups. 

The applicants also need to send their detailed CV along with the application.

The organisers will bear the cost of travel (train AC three tier), boarding and lodging during the course of the programme.

Applications should be sent by email to the programme convener  at 

ambedkarschooliidsrls@gmail.com.

Last date of application: March 25, 2024

Notification to the selected participants: April 5, 2024

Ambedkar Summer School 2024: May 19-24, 2024

For  more details: https://dalitstudies.org.in/ambedkar-summer-school/

or 

https://www.facebook.com/rosaluxsouthasia

CFP: The 19th Bi-Annual International #Virtual Conference on "#Discrimination, #Bias, and #Repudiation"-May 20-28, 2024- Ovidius University of Constanta

 Welcome to a pivotal gathering of minds and voices, a conference that aims to challenge, inspire, and transform our understanding of "Discrimination, Bias, and Repudiation". Hosted in a dynamic online space, this event brings together a spectrum of scholars, activists, and thought leaders from around the globe.

Our mission? To delve into the complex layers of societal discrimination and bias, unraveling them through a multitude of perspectives and disciplines. From keynote speeches by leading experts to engaging panel discussions and interactive workshops, we are set to explore the intricacies of these pressing issues.

This is more than a conference. It's a movement. A call to action for those who seek to reshape the narrative, to bring forth a future where inclusivity isn't an ideal but a reality. We're bridging gaps, challenging norms, and building a foundation for meaningful change.

Your voice is crucial in this discourse. Your research, your experiences, your insights - they are the pieces we need to complete this complex puzzle. Share your latest work, engage in enriching discussions, and collaborate with fellow visionaries.

Key Themes and Questions:

Six Diverse Panels: Dialogo Conference features six distinct panels, each focusing on a specific aspect of "Discrimination, Bias, and Repudiation." This varied approach ensures a comprehensive exploration of the theme from multiple perspectives.

I. Psychological Dimensions of Bias and Acceptance

II. Societal Structures and Discrimination: Breaking the Chains

III. Ethical Policy-Making in the Face of Backlash

IV. Cultural Dynamics: Literature, Taboos, and Stigmatized Identities

V. Economic and Health Impacts of Social Conflicts

VI. Technology, Identity, and Xenophobia

33%

Vaqta Women's Printed Organza Ethnic Wear Lightweight V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve Gown with Dupatta (MF_5049_Green_Large)

₹1,999.00

35%

Xomantic Fashion Women's Ethnic Wear Nyra Cut Embroidery Kurti Plazzo and Dupatta (X-Large, Pink)

₹2,499.00

50%

INFOTECH Traditional Ethnic Sequence Anarkali Full Length and Stitch Embroidery Work Made with Pure Georgette Gown for Stylish Women (Small, Rani)

₹1,999.00

50%

Tibsovo Women's Sequence Georgette Ethnic Wear Full Sleeve Round Neck Latest Gown & Dupatta Set (A_T_589672-Green-XX-Large)

₹1,599.00

80%

Fashion Basket Women's Georgette Green Semi-Stitched Anarkali Dress Material

₹4,699.00

76%

Leriya Fashion Co Ord Set for Women Ethnic Wear | Ethnic Co Ord Set for Women Festive | Co Ord Set for Women (Medium, Blue)

₹1,999.00

62%

Tibsovo Women's Solid Georgette Ethnic Wear 3/4 Sleeve Round Neck Latest Kurti Pant & Dupatta Set (A_T_589654-Red-XX-Large)

₹1,599.00

70%

Khushal K Women's Rayon Flared Kurta & Palazzo With Dupatta Set(Teal Blue-S)

₹5,099.00

74%

Leriya Fashion Ethnic Co Ord Set | Casual Wear Pant Top Set | Fancy Co-Ord Set | Full Pair Set | Women Kurta Sets Kurtis | Women Kurta Pant Set | Coord Sets for Women (X-Large, Blue)

₹1,999.00

30%

Gurukrupa Enterprise | Chanderi Straight Kurta Pant Set with Dupatta | Sequence &Embroidery Work | Trendy Ethnic Salwar Suit | Latest Traditional Dress | Fabulous Designer Wear for Women- Pink

₹1,500.00

Distinguished Guest Speakers [confirmed so far...]

* Mark Juergensmeyer - Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the University of Santa Barba, CA

* Stephen David Edwards - Professor Emeritus of the University of Zululand

* Stephan A. Schwartz - Distinguished Associated Scholar California Institute

Extended Engagement: Engage in nine days of stimulating online discussions, culminating in a special Virtual Video Meeting on May 24th, from 6-10 PM UTC. This format provides ample opportunity for in-depth dialogue and networking.

Rigorous Review Process: Benefit from our double peer-review system, ensuring the highest quality of scholarly discourse and feedback.

Recognition and Impact: Contributions to Dialogo are recognized internationally, with many papers indexed in prominent academic databases. This offers an excellent opportunity for your work to gain visibility and influence.

Event dates:

Earlybird Deadline for full-paper submission is from January 15 to February 29, 2024

Regular Deadline submission by April 30, 2024

Author notification of acceptance by May 10, 2024

Webex video meeting with guest Speakers: May 21, 2024 - 6-10 pm UTC

Submission instructions: https://www.dialogo-conf.com/publishing-guide/

Join us during May 20-28, 2024 online at https://www.dialogo-conf.com/call-for-papers/#1stevent. Together, let's break barriers and build bridges. We can't wait to hear from you and see all your current work!

CFP: International #Conference on The Future of #Masculinities: #Theory and #Praxis-#IIT #Dhanbad- June 2024

 CFP: THE FUTURE OF MASCULINITIES: THEORY & PRAXIS

 

 “Masculinities” refers to the numerous and diverse ways that masculinity is expressed and experienced in various cultural, social, and geographic contexts, as well as the ways it is created, enacted, and understood in response to shifting social, cultural, and economic factors. However, the notion of masculinity is dramatically altering as society drastically alters gender roles, expectations, and standards. The traditional idea of masculinity—one that is marked by traits like stoicism, dominance, and emotional restraint—has been challenged and deconstructed more and more recently. The increased awareness of the negative aspects of traditional masculinity has brought forth a major push for more inclusive and varied definitions of masculinity that accommodate a wider range of gender expressions and behaviours. Moreover, the advancements in gender equality and women’s empowerment will have a major impact on future masculinities. Today the inflexible conceptions of traditional masculinity are being challenged as more and more women achieve success and shatter stereotypes in industries that have traditionally been controlled by men, for instance, mining. In an effort to disprove the idea that men should only be providers and breadwinners, men are taking up roles as nurturers, carers, and partners in domestic activities.

Next, the debate of masculinity has intensified as a result of the growing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. Men of all sexual orientations and gender identities are paving the way for more flexible and inclusive ideas of what it means to be a man by challenging conventional norms and embracing their actual masculinity and displaying it in ways that are congruent with their unique traits.

Furthermore, emotional and mental health of individuals are being reevaluated as the world evolves, which has a significant impact on masculinities. Men are urged to communicate their emotions honestly, cultivate emotional intelligence, and seek treatment for mental health issues. This defies the idea that being vulnerable indicates weakness and fosters more robust, rounded male emotions. In the future, it is likely that we will continue to see the diversification and redefinition of masculinities. Men will have more freedom to express their gender identity and personal preferences without conforming to rigid stereotypes. This evolution may lead to a society where individuals are judged based on their character and values rather than their adherence to traditional gender roles. However, challenges remain: the pressure to conform to traditional masculinity still exists in many parts of the world, and gender inequality persists in various forms. Thus efforts to redefine masculinity must continue to address these issues and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

The future of masculinities in a changing world is a complex and dynamic subject with numerous cultural, social, and psychological facets. The future of masculinities in a changing world will be defined by a shift away from rigid, traditional norms and towards more inclusive, diverse, and emotionally conscious representations of masculinity. As society continues to evolve, so too will our understanding of gender and the roles and expectations associated with it. The way forward involves challenging harmful stereotypes, advancing gender equality, and fostering a society where men can authentically express their masculinity while respecting the autonomy and diversity of others.

This proposed book volume will examine the debates surrounding masculinities in both the global north and south. It is crucial to examine the scattered hegemonies/ masculinities because the historical world-system is rife with injustices, racism, and colonialism, and because discourses on masculinities that focus on the global north and south fall short in addressing the complexities of masculinities. This book volume will investigate the prominent masculinity constructs of the global north and the south in order to understand how feminism, globalisation, and shifting gender roles have affected masculinities currently and speculate on where masculinities may go in the future. We invite articles that broaden perspectives on the future of masculinities in a changing world. The topics may cover, but are not limited to:

• Masculinity as a concept

• Masculinity vs. biological maleness

• Being a man: a way of life/ a cause/ an idea

• Construction of masculinity/ies in global north & global south

• Impact of colonialism, post-colonialism, cultural diversity, globalization, feminism, and changing gender norms on masculinities

• Masculinities under nationalism

• Case studies from specific regions illustrating shifts in masculinities

• Masculinities & the intersections of race, caste, class, religion, and other factors

• Implications of scattered masculinities for gender equality and social justice

• Inclusive and positive masculinities: role of education, media, and advocacy in reshaping masculinity norms

• Male violence or masculine violence

• Masculinities & Environment

• Female masculinity

• Future masculinities: evolving gender norms & diversity of identities

Deadline for proposals: February 10, 2024

This call for papers is open to scholars, graduate students, and independent researchers from all disciplines. Original submissions reflecting the global spectrum of masculinities are encouraged.

Send a 200 word maximum abstract of your theoretical or empirical research along with a short biographical note to the editors by February 10, 2024. A paper that has been published previously may not be included.

For further questions or to submit your proposal, you can email Debapriya Ganguly (debopriyaganguly6@gmail.com).

Selected abstracts will be notified by the end of February 2024. The deadline for full submissions (6000– 8000 words) is June 2024. The style guide and additional information will be emailed individually to the contributors.

Selected papers (subject to double blind peer review) may appear in an edited volume with a reputed international press.

Editors

Rajni Singh is Professor of English at the Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Dhanbad. Rajni’s research focuses on women’s writings and gender studies, with particular interests in histories of gender, sexuality, and selfhood. rajnisingh18@iitism.ac.in

Debapriya Ganguly is a Doctoral researcher at the Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Dhanbad. Debapriya’s research focuses on masculinities, sexualities and selfhood in popular culture. debopriyaganguly6@gmail.com

Call for Papers | 11th Annual Conference on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination- 2024-National Law University Bangalore

 

The National Law School of India University and Oxford Human Rights Hub are jointly hosting the 11TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024 of the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination at the NLS campus in Bengaluru from 26th to 28th July 2024.  The conference in Bengaluru builds upon the past success of BCCE’s annual conference which in the past has been held in:

• Paris (Sciences-Po 2012)
• California (Berkeley Law 2013)
• Brussels (Université Libre de Bruxelles 2014)
• Shanghai (Jiao Tong University 2016)
• Dublin (Trinity College 2017)
• Melbourne (Melbourne Law School 2018)
• Stockholm (University of Stockholm 2019)
• Cape Town (University of Cape Town 2021)
• Hong Kong (University of Hong Kong 2022)
• Netherlands (Utrecht University 2023).

Is There Hope for Equality Law?

After 10 successful iterations, as the conference travels to South Asia this year, we ask: is there hope for equality law? Inaugurating the global decolonial moment, the nations of the subcontinent constituted themselves into new republics with a lot of optimism and creative energy expended in reimagining and setting up just and fair societies. Giving shape and form to the principle of equality in political, economic and social lives was foremost in their agenda. But today, in the twenty-first century, there are growing concerns in this region, as there are all over the world, about the rise of inequality.

In the recent past, we have witnessed the growing awareness of different conceptions of equality, including substantive and transformative equality, systemic and structural inequality, indirect and effects-based discrimination which have made it possible to respond not only to intentional harms but to institutional harms as well. There has also been an expansion in the canon of identity characteristics protected under equality law. Yet, despite these gains and the centrality of equality to the political and legal order of so many countries, stakeholders around the world are questioning whether the legal right to equality is capable of addressing current inequalities. There are concerns that equality law is not up to the challenges of the climate crisis; ever-increasing wealth and income inequality; with the ever-widening disparities in access to rights and justice on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex and disability; tax injustice; growing informal work, the demonization of migration, the decay of democratic institutions, the power of multi-nationals, or the rise of artificial intelligence. This conference asks the bold question: In light of the doubts on the relevance of equality, is there hope for equality law?

The aim of the conference is to explore whether and how equality law can take the next step forward and offer insights and remedies to contemporary global challenges. Scholars and activists have used equality law to diagnose how laws, policies and programmes have created or enhanced poverty, disadvantage, stereotypes, stigmas, prejudice, oppression, and social exclusion. These laws, policies and programmes have been challenged in domestic, regional, and international courts and decision-making bodies. Although equality law has at best had a mixed record of success and failure, does it still have any untapped promise and potential to ensure that the world is fairer and more just for all peoples? While recognising the severity of current challenges, this conference seeks to explore whether and how equality law can develop to tackle the problems of today and of the future. It aims to bring together leading scholars to consider not only how foundational concepts may be re-thought and reimagined but also how theory and doctrine may evolve in a dynamic and transformative manner to realize the hope of equality law.

We are seeking paper proposals that address the broad questions posed by the conference. We encourage proposals to explore the following concepts and questions:

• the tension between equality and other foundational values such as liberty or other ideologies such as neoliberalism or neocolonialism
• the debates on the aims of equality law, such as debates on redistribution and recognition
• the role of affirmative action in redressing equality harms
• the role of proactive powers and duties
• the role of intersectionality in addressing systemic exploitation and oppression
• the challenges of achieving equality in specific fields of life such as:
   race, religion, caste, class and age discrimination (as illustration)
  informal employment and lack of social protection
  land, water and material resources
  Indigenous rights
  language, cultural and ways of life
  decolonization;
  o disability and ableism
  o wealth and tax inequality
  o family, public life and gender
  o AI and technology
  o citizenship, migration and statelessness
  o climate crisis
  o violence
• the impact of social justice movements on equality law
• the relationship of equality law with rising authoritarianism and democratic decay
• equality and international law

Instructions for submission

We invite submissions for individual presentations as well as panel proposals on the theme of the conference. We also encourage authors of recent monographs and edited collections to submit proposals to have panel discussions of their recent scholarship on the hope of equality law. We encourage submissions from scholars at all stages of their career. We also welcome a wide range of approaches and perspectives including normative, doctrinal, critical and interdisciplinary. Submissions are invited from scholars working in law and allied disciplines of social sciences and humanities.

Abstracts should not exceed 500 words and clearly indicate how your paper fits the theme of the conference, the objectives of the paper and its methodology. Please include a brief biography of maximum 100 words which is suitable for publication on the conference website, including affiliation, your email-address and a link to online bio, if available. Panel submissions should include a title and an abstract for the entire panel as well as titles, abstracts, and author information for all papers. Each panel should contain between three and four papers. The panel can be submitted by any of the authors.

Timeline

• Abstracts are due 1 December 2023.
• The abstracts will be reviewed, and invitations will be sent in February 2024.
• Full papers or presentations will be due on 1 July 2024 from authors whose abstracts are selected. Full papers will be made available to the participants of the conference. Subject to prior approval from authors, their papers and presentations may be posted on the conference website.

Finances

The conference organizers strive to keep the conference fee as low as possible. The fee will likely consist of 400 USD for participants outside India and INR 6000 for persons from India. The conference organizers can regrettably not cover travel and accommodation. Fee waiver may be considered subject to availability of funds. Those wishing to apply for it are required to submit a statement indicating why they require a full or partial waiver.

Contact Us

Please send the abstract and any queries relating to the conference to oxfordhumanrightshub@law.ox.ac.uk

Call for Book Chapters : Marginalities in South Asian Literature: Text, Context and Theory -Routledge Book Series

 CONCEPT NOTE

In the context of literature, the term marginality would encompass not only the issues related to the social, cultural, economic or geopolitical spaces that give rise to it but also the literature emerging from these contexts and the communities suffering and contesting it. Such literatures that address the experience of marginality create discourses and counter discourses. Our proposed book is therefore interested in the trio: text, context and theory. Defining the margin/marginality is complex. The “margin” is a space which is generally understood in relation to the centre which is powerful socially, politically, economically, culturally, geographically and linguistically. But the margin does not belong only to the realm of the fringe, it is a dynamic space. It is a space full of possibilities. While the margin may refer to people who live on the peripheries, whose voices are ignored, who may have no representation in mainstream societies, it can at the same time become a space of impending conflict, confrontation and tension because it can question the logic of the divide of the centre and periphery. The problem with the discourse of marginality, however, is that one may get trapped in it in a bid to simply overturn it. But the margin is much more than that. It may offer a sustained scenario of contestation for its rights and share of power, thereby paving ways for new possibilities. The representation of the marginal subject, therefore, is extremely interesting and complex, especially in literature, because literature has the possibility in it to move beyond this kind of binary dialectics and demonstrate the problematics involved in its interstitial, in-between, hybrid, spaces. Such complex readings will help us understand the structures of dominance, discrimination, hierarchy and marginality in a multifaceted way keeping in mind the politics of difference in a multipolar, multicultural world.

The evolution of capitalism after its beginnings in the Enlightenment period to a post-Enlightenment transformation in neoliberalism and globalization has now created marginalities on an expansive scale in more varied ways. While these enterprises, backed by political systems, have privileged certain regions and groups, they have also incapacitated others. Western standards and concepts of progress and development imposed on other societies and indigenous cultures have suppressed the local and the regional cultures in different neo-colonial ways. Again, there is another side to marginality in a society: one’s acceptance into various cultural communities is also determined by one’s birth and other determinations such as gender, race, caste, disability, religion, region and so on. Many of these categories decide whether one is an insider or an outsider in a particular nationspace. One has to negotiate between the dominance of the mainstream culture and the marginality of one’s own subculture. Marginality also brings about psychological uncertainties, having to move between discord and harmony, exclusion and inclusion. While this rivets our attention to the question of the marginal personality, more recent studies have addressed the problematic in terms of further specificities as to how marginality affects one’s access to resources, opportunities, knowledge, respect, rights, recognition and identity. Consequently, while talking of marginality, one cannot but talk of mobilizations and movements which challenge these oppressive systems and hegemonic structures, and thereby give rise to the question of agency and emancipatory discourses. We have kept in view this diverse socio-political terrain of marginality, and for our projected volume, we are interested in these multifarious aspects of the varied kinds of marginality as represented in the different genres of South Asian Literature. We are also interested in the studies on the Contexts and Theories relevant to the proposed area and problematics concerned.

 South Asian writing is populated by varied experiences of marginality specific to its history and localised realities. For instance, the figure of the muhajir, dalit, hijra or adivasi, some of whom find space in more universal social identity groups representing marginal experiences like race, religion, gender, caste, disability, region or tribe. Particular events in the history of the region like the Partition, Bhopal gas disaster, British rule and recent neoliberalisation-led economic developments have been moments where the tensions between dominant and other sub-groups have crafted the marginalised figure. Consequently, these historical contexts also alert us to the shifting terrain of the experience of marginality where the once dominant group can also become marginalised later, as is seen in the experience of colonisation for upper-caste identity. The ecological consequences of a shared history of multiple settlements and pursuit of economic development are evident in the change of the natural topography owing to deforestation and urbanisation. The negotiations between city dwellers, agrarian and forest-dwelling communities, are also therefore marked by framing of socio-political identity in the South Asian nation-state that creates and recreates the marginalised figure. 

 

The proposed anthology is therefore interested in contributions that would primarily analyse literary representations and cultural discourses in the following areas but not limited to these:

• The experiences of social, political and economic marginalisation on the basis of caste, gender, disability, region, religion, tribe, ethnicity or race
• LGBTQ+, sexuality and fluid identities
• Marginal psychology, culture, hybridity, identity
• Framing of the nation, transnation, border and narratives of exclusion and displacement and the framing of the citizen in the nation state
• Marginalisation as a communal experience and the dynamics between individual, community and society
• Economic development in the postcolonial neoliberal nation state and the accompanying ecological fallout
• Ecology and environmental justice and the gendered perspective of ecology
• Poverty as a marker of the vulnerability and precarity of marginalised identity
• The dialectics of voice and representation in narratives of marginalisation
• The subversion of canonical and aesthetic standards of literary stylistics in texts that represent the experience of marginalised identities.

 

Key information for prospective authors:

1. Abstract with a title and keywords: 250-300 words
2. Word limit of full papers including citations: 6000- 8000 words
3. Style of citation: MLA 9^th  edition
4. Email your submission to: marginalities2@gmail.com

 

*The proposed anthology will be published by a reputed publisher

Deadline for abstract submissions: October 30, 2023

Abstract selection notification:   November 30, 2023

Deadline for full paper submission: January 30, 2024

 

Contact Email

marginalities2@gmail.com

Dr. Arunima Ray

Associate Professor

Department of English

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi

New Delhi
 

Dr. Karuna Rajeev

Assistant Professor

Department of English

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi

New Delhi

Dr. Goutam Karmakar

NRF Postdoctoral Fellow

University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Routledge Book Series Editor on South Asian Literature

&

Visiting Scholar

Rachel Carson Centre for Environment and Society

LMU München, Germany
 

 

 

Two Day #International #Student #Seminar #Girl, (Un)Interrupted Identity, #Experience, #Agency, and #Representation -Jesus and Mary College University of Delhi New Delhi 1st-2nd November 2023

Organized by: English Literary Association Department of English Jesus and Mary College 

 Concept Note

Girlhood Studies emerged as a distinct field of study in the 1990s, in the Anglophone North, influenced by a growing discourse on gender equality, especially in fields like science, math, and technology. However, its roots can be traced back to the 1970s when second wave feminist scholars began critiquing the disproportionate focus on boyhood in youth research. In the West, Black Girlhood Studies has emerged to address the under-representation of Black girls in the field. Similarly, there has been powerful scholarship examining the cross-section of disabilities with Girlhood Studies. Recently, South Asian scholars have made critical interventions in the field by exploring the historical erasure of the experiences of girlhood in the region. They have highlighted how the figure of the girl has been overdetermined by the anxieties about, and for, the woman she would become. Seen always as only “becoming a woman,” and never allowed to be a girl, the South Asian woman, nonetheless, has been treated like a little girl who needs “protection.” Given these paradoxical operations of erasure, hypersexualisation and infantilisation, it is no surprise that girls and “girlhood” are missing from Indian novels. Obviously, “Swami & Friends” did not, indeed, could not have any sisters whose childhood predicaments and perplexities, pranks and play, merited any attention! Pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial girlhoods are now being investigated from many different perspectives. By using an intersectional approach, for example, Dalit and Adivasi girlhoods have emerged as distinct fields of research. 

About the Seminar

 This student seminar invites in-depth and extensive exploration of the conceptualization of girlhood in all types of literary (fictional and non fictional), performative and multimedial narratives. The seminar hopes to arrive at a richer understanding of the multiple experiences and constructions of “girlhood” through time, especially in its complex interplay with traditional or modern hegemonic discursivities, socio-cultural formations and politico economic imperatives. Also, this student seminar aims to establish Critical Girlhood Studies as a robust academic domain of research amongst young scholars. We invite undergraduate and postgraduate students to submit their contributions for an interdisciplinary student seminar that delves into the many dimensions of Girlhood Studies. 

 Coming of age and other narratives Subcultures and fandoms Social media and girlhood Disability and girlhood studies Capitalism, consumerism, and girlhood Performing girlhood Intersectionality of race, religion, ethnicity, caste, class, etc. Menstruation Queering and trancing girlhoods Media and representation Violence, risks, and betrayals Education, health, and rights Mobility and access Beauty standards and body dysmorphia Girl brides Play and sports 

 We welcome papers and presentations that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Coming of age and other narratives 
• Subcultures and fandoms
•  Social media and girlhood Disability and girlhood studies 
• Capitalism, 
• consumerism, and girlhood 
• Performing girlhood 
• Intersectionality of race, religion, ethnicity, caste, class, etc. 
• Menstruation Queering and transing girlhoods 
• Media and representation 
• Violence, risks, and betrayals 
• Education, health, and rights Mobility and access 
• Beauty standards and body dysmorphia Girl brides Play and sports 

 We welcome papers and presentations that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes: 

  PLEASE NOTE: 

This seminar will be held in the hybrid mode. The first day (1st November) will be held online on Zoom. 

The second day (2nd November) will be an in-person event at Jesus and Mary College, DU. Artwork: Young Girls by Amrita Sher-Gill  

Abstract Submission Deadline 19th October 2023

 Notification of Acceptance 29th October 2023 

Full Paper Submission Deadline You can submit your abstract using this GoogleForm: bit.ly/GirlSeminar 

Alternatively you can email it to: girluninterrupted2023@gmail.com 

Name and Contact information

 Paper Title - Full paper title for the presentation Paper Abstract - 250-word abstract 4-5 keywords Word Document; 12 Times New Roman; Double spaced Your submission should contain: Girl, (Un)Interrupted

 Important Dates

 This National Student Seminar is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students of all streams from different academic institutions across the country. The presenters will need to show their current ID as proof of academic affiliation. Presenters from outside Delhi may opt for presenting in the online mode on the second day. WHO CAN APPLY? CERTIFICATES HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT: All the registered participants will be issued e-certificates of participation/presentation. 

 FOR FURTHER QUERIES, PLEASE CONTACT: GIRLUNINTERRUPTED2023@GMAIL.COM San Martin Marg, Bapu Dham, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021 Register here: bit.ly/GirlUninterrupted