The Gender Research Office at the University of Vienna has announced a call for papers, "Import-Export-Transport Queer Theory, Queer Critique and Activism in Motion". The conference will take place April 28-30, 2011. The aim of this conference is to open up a space for dialogue between different methodological approaches, forms of activism, research fields and interests of the "Import -- Export -- Transport" of queer theory, critique and activism. Proposal deadline: November 1, 2010.
Import-Export-Transport Queer Theory, Queer Critique and Activism in Motion
Conference: 28 -- 30 April 2011 | University of Vienna |
20 years after the emergence of "queer" as a political concept we would
like to discuss the radical potential of queer theory and activism
within different spatial, cultural and socio-political contexts. Along
with its appearance in the US academia -- or maybe even before -- "queer"
also turned up as a grass-roots movement in response to the homophobic
political rhetoric surrounding the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. As a
successful appropriation of a once derogatory term, "queer" is not only
closely connected to the Anglo-American language but also to its
socio-political context.
We therefore want to ask how and by whom the term "queer" was/is
appropriated and for which purposes, with particular attention to the
different settings and locations. For instance, taking a closer look at
the differences in welfare state arrangements, the legal situations of
LGBT or its different degrees of institutionalization. Which queer
theories are received, discussed and developed? Where and how are they
applied and adapted to these settings?
What does the term "queer" mean and how is its meaning transported
in(to) different contexts? Has there been a noticeable shift in its
meaning? What effects or repercussions has this had on queer research
practices and on the political impact of queer activism?
In regards to academic research and theory we want to take a look at who
is "transporting", developing, and adapting queer theory and what their
research interests are. Is a "methodology" of queer theory and activism
currently evolving (e.g. what are problems of "translation")?
Proposals could also address the following questions: How is queer
theory reflected in political activism and how have particular
theoretical concepts been adapted and adopted for political practices in
different local contexts? How do activists serve as theorists, how do
theorists engage in political activities?
The aim of this conference is to open up a space for dialogue between
different methodological approaches, forms of activism, research fields
and interests of the "Import -- Export -- Transport" of queer theory,
critique and activism.
We invite activists, students, graduates, artists, scholars, and
researchers working in the field of queer theory and queer activism to
contribute to the conference. We especially welcome
contributions that transgress disciplinary boundaries and the boundaries
between academic and non-academic settings and encourage participants
working in media/performance art to submit proposals for works and
interventions to be included as part of the conference.
Confirmed participants so far are Judith Jack Halberstam, University of
Southern California, and Kater(ina Kol√°r(ov√°, Charles University Prague.
The conference language is English. There will be a conference publication.
We welcome contributions for 20-minute or 45-minute papers (plus 10
minutes discussion),-- 300 words max; or 1.5 hour workshops (teams are
especially welcome) as well as poster presentations or film
screenings/performances.
Please submit your proposals by November 1st 2010, full papers by March
1st 2011 to queerconference2011.gender[at]univie.ac.at. Please attach a
short cv and -- not obligatory -- a bibliography.
We will do our best to provide travel funds, but strongly encourage
participants to apply for travel funding at their home institutions.
Organization and conference host: Gender Research Office at the
University of Vienna (Maria Katharina Wiedlack, Sushila Mesquita, Katrin
Lasthofer)
website: [http://univie.ac.at/gender]
e-mail: queerconference2011.gender[at]univie.ac.at
