The Institute for Black Atlantic Research (IBAR), (University of Central Lancashire) would like to invite you to a conference co-organised with the Collegium for African American Research (CAAR),  Open Democracy 50.50, the Cornelia Goethe Center (Goethe University, Frankfurt); International Development and Inclusive Innovation, Strategic Research Area (The Open University) and De Gruyter:

Women’s Spring: Feminism, Nationalism and Civil Disobedience
21-23 June 2018, University of Central Lancashire, Preston

The aim of this conference is to explore the ways in which female activists and artists responded to the resurgence of far-right nationalism and the twin evil of religious fundamentalism. We want to take a closer look at grassroots emancipatory movements, women-led voluntary associations, as well as cultural texts by women – performances, installations, artworks, films and novels – in which authors take a stance against religious bigotry, xenophobia, homophobia, racism and misogyny. But we also invite contributions that focus on women’s endorsement of and participation in ultra-conservative national and orthodox religious campaigns.

Keynote speakers (confirmed):

• Prof. Cathy J. Cohen, The University of Chicago;
• Dr Umut Erel, International Development and Inclusive Innovation, Sociology Department and International Development and Inclusive Innovation (The Open University);
• Prof. Lubaina Himid, 2017 Turner Prize Winner, University of Central Lancashire;
• Prof. Dr. Helma Lutz, the Cornelia Goethe Center at Goethe University, Frankfurt;
• Prof. Ewa Mazierska, University of Central Lancashire;
• Prof. Toby Miller, University of California, Riverside; Loughborough University London;
• Pragna Patel, Southall Black Sisters;
• Prof. Nira Yuval-Davis, Research Centre on Migration, Refugees and Belonging (CMRB) at the University of East London;
• Lara Whyte, Open Democracy.

Full CFP can be viewed at: http://ibaruclan.com/womens-spring-feminism-nationalism-and-civil-disobedience/

Deadline for submission of proposals is May 10.Please send your 250-word abstracts for 20-minute papers or article proposals and 100-word bio notes to: ipenier@uclan.ac.uk

The conference is supported by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 70674.

Selected papers will be published as a special issue in Open Cultural Studies https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/culture