Lives & Letters Mailing: June 2017
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to another Lives & Letters Mailing. This month’s mailing contains information about:
1. Whites Writing Whiteness: Project News
– News from the Cambridge ‘Multiplicities of Writing & Archival Research’ Conference
– New Trace: Robin and the cuts, 1911
– New podcast:’ Before the letter: writing, scribbling and the archive’, given at the Cambridge Conference
2. Narrative Matters 2018: The ABCs of Narrative. July 2-5, Enschede, Netherlands. CFP: Deadline November 1, 2017
3. Object Biographies: II International Artefacta Conference (9/1/2017; 3/2-3/2018) Helsinki, Finland
4. The Textualities of Auto/Biography: or, the Auto/biogrAfrical (6/15/2017; 10/19-20/2017) Stellenbosch University S Africa
5. Destabilizing Acts of Witnessing (9/30/2017; 4/12-15/2018) NEMLA Pittsburgh USA
6. Announcing publication of ‘Dictionnaire de l’autobiographie – Éditions Honoré Champion’
7. Announcing publication of ‘Writing Feminist Lives: The Biographical Battles over Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem and Simone de Beauvoir’
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1. Whites Writing Whiteness: Project News
News from the Multiplicities of Writing and Archival Research Conference
Announcing the successful conclusion of the Multiplicities of Writing and Archival Research Conference, which took place in Cambridge on 16 June! This is the third of a tripartite conference series connected with The Archive Project (Moore, Salter, Stanley & Tamboukou, Routledge, August 2016). A large number of papers were given, details of the podcast of Liz’s presentation appears below, and abstracts of all the papers can be found on the website of The Archive Project at https://sites.google.com/site/thebookarchiveproject/conferences-and-research-events
New Trace: Robin and the cuts, 1911
This trace, dated 15 November 1911 and written by Kate Forbes, concerns a dispute concerning reporting, or rather not reporting, cases of, perhaps chickenpox, but certainly an outbreak of rash of some kind among the children of workers on the Forbes’ farm-estate Athole. The trace explores implications of ‘we’ in this, and Robins actions. To read the trace, please follow this link: http://www.whiteswritingwhiteness.ed.ac.uk/traces/robin-and-the-cuts/
New podcast: ‘Before the letter: writing, scribbling and the archive’
See above for information about the Cambridge Archive conference; Liz Stanley’s presentation is now available (with accompanying narration) on the Whites Writing Whiteness website: http://www.whiteswritingwhiteness.ed.ac.uk/publications/podcasts/before-the-letter-podcast/
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2. Narrative Matters 2018: The ABCs of Narrative. July 2-5, Enschede, Netherlands. CFP: Deadline November 1, 2017
Narrative Matters is a bi-annual conference on the study of narrative, which brings together scholars from different disciplines.
The 2018 organizing committee invites you to submit proposals in line with the conference
theme: The ABCs of Narrative.
Details are at these links:
www.utwente.nl/en/bms/narrativematters2018/
narrativematters2018@utwente.nl
@NMCONF2018
Call for papers: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/narrativematters2018/callforpapers/
Proposal submissions: https://easychair.org/account/signin.cgi?key=55237980.HxTUMf2VsEjRXVLe
Conference theme
The current booming interest for narrative or “story-telling” across academic disciplines and professional fields comes with a number of challenges. One of these challenges, as captured by the “ABCs of narrative”, is the need for a better understanding and an interdisciplinary dialogue between A) the arts and humanities; B) the natural and computer sciences; C) the behavioral, social, and health sciences. A thorough inter- disciplinary exchange can enrich our understanding of the cognitive, affective, motivational, social, political, ideological, or ethical workings of narrative, and provide insights from which also diverse professional uses of narrative can benefit. A second challenge is that of learning about exciting developments in technological expression and computational analysis of narrative that might be productive both for researchers and professionals. A third challenge the “ABCs of narrative” aims to address is the need to stimulate “critical narrative savviness” among citizens, in particular in the many professional practices in which narrative or story-telling play a central role. A keen critical acumen and sense of responsibility are needed, in our days as much as ever in the past, to detect and resist unwanted effects of narrative world-making and persuasion.
Topics
We identified a number of topics that address these three challenges and seem relevant for a fruitful understanding and improved uses of narrative across disciplines and professions. Feel free to propose alternative central topics, as this list is meant to be indicative only:
- Narrative coping with complexity and uncertainty;
- Narrative and the shaping of identities;
- Narratives and innovative technological modes of expressing and computational modes of analyzing;
- Narrative, affect, and the fabrication of truth;
- Narrative and power in societies, organizations, and practices.
Contributions
We welcome proposals in a variety of inspirational and interactive formats, such as panels, symposia, workshops, or roundtable discussions with a clear interdisciplinary scope; flash talks, demonstrations, or performances of narrative research and practice; individual presentations to be matched with relevant discussion partners. We favor contributions that clarify their use of narratives and of their understanding of “narrative”, contribute to interdisciplinary cross-fertilization and innovation, and promote “critical narrative savviness”.
Confirmed keynote speakers
- Lora Arroyo, Free University Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- John Bateman, University of Bremen, Germany
- Marco Caracciolo, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Daniel Hutto, University of Wollongong, Australia
Confirmed pre conference workshops
- Practicing Narrative Care: Diverse Approaches to Awakening Ordinary Wisdom andFinding Stillness in Your Story. William Randall & Gary Irwin-Kenyon, St. Thomas University, Canada
- Narratives, Agency and Social Change: analysis across disciplines. Molly Andrews, Cigdem Esin, Aura Lounasmaa, Corinne Squire, University of East London, United Kingdom
- Researching narrative identities with small stories. Alexandra Georgakopoulou, King’s College, United Kingdom & Michael Bamberg, Clark University, United States
- Storyline Coding and Annotation. Piek Vossen & Tommaso Caselli, Free University Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Narrative Interviewing. Ruthellen Josselson, Fielding Graduate University, United States & Amia Lieblich, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- Publishing narrative research in social science journals. Brett Smith, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Venue
The conference will be held in Enschede, the Netherlands. Enschede is a friendly town in the east of the country with a direct train connection to Amsterdam Airport (2 hours). Enschede can be reached from Paris and Berlin by train in 5 hours.
The University of Twente is a technological university with both social and engineering faculties.
Key dates
May, 2017 Call for Papers Open
November 1, 2017 Submission Deadline
February 1, 2018 Notifications of Abstract Decisions
February 15, 2018 Start of Registration
May 1, 2018 Early Bird Registration Deadline
July 2 to 5, 2019 Conference date
Organizing committee
Gerben Westerhof, University of Twente Anneke Sools, University of Twente Liesbeth Korthals Altes, University of Groningen
Advisory board
Tineke Abma, VU University Medical Centre
Floor Basten, Campus Orleon
Hubert Büschel, University of Groningen
Mark Finlayson, Florida International University
Dolores Furlong, St. Thomas University
Mari Hatavara, University of Tampere
Hanna Meretoja, University of Turku
Bill Randall, St. Thomas University
Brian Schiff, American University of Paris
Peter Stegmaier, University of Twente
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3. Object Biographies: II International Artefacta Conference (9/1/2017; 3/2-3/2018) Helsinki, Finland
CALL FOR PAPERS
Object Biographies
II International Artefacta Conference
2-3 March 2018
House of Science and Letters, Helsinki, Finland
Artefacta, the Finnish Network for Artefact Studies in collaboration with the Finnish Antiquarian Society and Nordic Association of Conservators in Finland
We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting proposals for presentations for our second international conference. Object biographies have been understood in both highly concrete terms as the history of relocating artefacts and retracing their physical changes and as abstract models or metaphors for outlining relationships between people and their environment.
When considering objects and material culture, object biography or life-span has become a concept encompassing a broad, multidisciplinary and diffuse field of research. The history, evolution and uses of this term have varied and have been of wide scope. The term has come to bridge various disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, art history, conservation studies, craft studies, ethnology, history, museology, the natural sciences and sociology.
We welcome all experts who work with objects and cultural heritage collections – researchers, curators, conservators and conservation scientists – to present and discuss the various meanings of object biographies. The aim is to provide a cross-section of current research and its results and an overview of the present and future directions of research in this field.
Keynote speakers
Claire Farago, Professor of Art History, University of Colorado Boulder, United States
Karin Margarita Frei, Research Professor in Archaeometry, National Museum of Denmark
Eero Hyvönen, Director of Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities (Heldig), Finland
The conference seeks recent advances and innovations in the field of object biographies, for example:
– Case studies, overviews of the state of research and theoretical surveys
– The numerous methods with which the biographies of objects can be reconstructed and theories for analysing life-spans and materiality
– Research on conservation treatments and material/conservation science
– Collaboration projects between researchers, curators, conservators or conservation scientists
– How objects during the latter part of their life-span can cause health and safety issues particularly in museums and how organisations have found solutions to overcome these problems
The form of presentation may be a PowerPoint presentation by one or several experts, or an interview, poster or panel discussion. Please articulate clearly on your abstract the form of your presentation.
Length of the proposal for a presentation: max. 1 page
Deadline for submissions: 1 September 2017
Acceptance of proposals: 1 November 2017
The presentations will be organised into sessions by the conference committee. The sessions will be arranged thematically instead of according to traditional divisions between disciplines. The goal is to enhance interdisciplinary dialogue.
The conference fee is EUR 50.
Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who may be interested!
Contact Info:
Please use the online proposal submission system available on the Artefacta
Internet site: http://www.artefacta.fi/tapahtumat
Only proposals submitted online will be considered.
Please send any inquiries via email to: esinetutkimus@artefacta.fi
Contact Email: esinetutkimus@artefacta.fi
URL: http://www.artefacta.fi/tapahtumat
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IABA-L: A LIST FOR LIFE WRITING
International Auto/Biography Association
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/iaba/home
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4. The Textualities of Auto/Biography: or, the Auto/biogrAfrical (6/15/2017; 10/19-20/2017) Stellenbosch University S Africa
The Textualities of Auto/Biography: or, the Auto/biogrAfrical
19 – 20 October 2017
A Colloquium Hosted by the English Department, Stellenbosch University
at The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study: http://stias.ac.za/
In recognition of its expertise in the broad field of life studies, the English Department of Stellenbosch University has been mandated by the International Auto/Biography Association to found the official Africa Chapter. To celebrate, on 19 – 20 October 2017 the department will host a regional colloquium, at which the “Plenary Address on Textual Lives” will be given by Ricia Chansky (University of Puerto Rico), co-editor of the journal a/b Auto/Biography Studies.
We are inviting selected participants to present at the event, in two categories:
1. 20 minute conference papers in the familiar format on the textualities of a/b in relation to Africa and the world. Possible topics include: creative lives, queering a/b, lives in crisis, self-inscription, (re)viewing cinematic selves, lives revealed/concealed, the art of/art as ‘life writing’, migrants’ and refugees’ stories, citizenship and identity, life (writing) in question, genders and genres, public lives, marginal/liminal lives, autographics, virtual/digital/online identities (selfies, vlogs, blogs, avatars, chats), a/b as ethic/aesthetic, memory, remembering, archives, a/b: foundations, transformations, futures.
2. 7 minute ‘a/b re-mXd’ lightning round sessions which riff on a concept or phrase so as to place Africanness and auto/biography in conversation. For example: ‘self’, ‘inventive’, ‘documentary’, ‘re-telling’, ‘celebrity’, ‘anonymity’, ‘selfie’, ‘queer’, ‘medium’, ‘memory’, ‘this body/politic’, ‘first person plural’, ‘otherwise’, ‘trans’…. You could also offer a creative performance – visual, sonic, kinetic.
We hope that you will join us to mark the inauguration of the Africa Chapter of the IABA, and to discuss future collaborative opportunities.
Please RSVP to both Tilla Slabbert slabbert@sun.ac.za and Sally Ann Murray samurray@sun.ac.za by 15 June 2017.
Send a 200-word abstract for consideration if you wish to give a paper, or an abstract of about 50 words if you’re keen on contributing to a re-mXd session. All respondents should also provide a 50-word biography.
The cost of registration, teas and luncheons is covered for all participants.
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IABA-L: A LIST FOR LIFE WRITING
International Auto/Biography Association
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/iaba/home
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5. Destabilizing Acts of Witnessing (9/30/2017; 4/12-15/2018) NEMLA Pittsburgh USA
Destabilizing Acts of Witnessing (NeMLA 2018)
In the face of violence, acts of witness are crucial to reaffirm the humanity of those that have been dehumanized, rebuild social worlds, and assert new communal bonds. At the same time, efforts at witnessing are fraught with risk. Personal testimonies may increase feelings of isolation instead of yielding catharsis. Writers, scholars, and artists who strive to represent acts of violence risk turning suffering into spectacle and re-inscribing binaries of agency versus victimhood. No act of witness can encompass a person’s experience; there is always more to know than any narrative or representation could portray.
This NeMLA 2018 seminar seeks papers that destabilize acts of witness or reconceptualize what it means to bear witness to suffering. Discussion of all genres/media welcome. Please submit a 300-word abstract and brief bio as a single document by Sept. 30, 2017 through the NeMLA submission website: https://www.cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/17069.
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IABA-L: A LIST FOR LIFE WRITING
International Auto/Biography Association
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/iaba/home
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6. Announcing publication of ‘Dictionnaire de l’autobiographie – Éditions Honoré Champion’
Vient de paraître aux Éditions Honoré Champion
Dictionnaire de l’autobiographie
Écritures de soi de langue française
Sous la direction de Françoise Simonet-Tenant
Avec la collaboration de Michel Braud, Jean-Louis Jeannelle,Philippe Lejeune et Véronique Montémont
2017. 1 vol., 848 p., broché, 15,5 × 23,5 cm.
ISBN 978-2-7453-4510-3. 65 €
Ce dictionnaire entend d’abord établir le bilan de plusieurs décennies de réflexion théorique, plus de quarante ans après la parution du Pacte autobiographique (1975) de Philippe Lejeune. Il vise ensuite à cartographier un champ de recherches dont l’extension est souvent mal comprise : derrière le succès de l’autobiographie se cache une diversité de pratiques et de genres ayant en commun l’écriture à la première personne : Mémoires, souvenirs, témoignages, journaux personnels, correspondances intimes, chroniques… À travers quelque 450 entrées réparties entre plusieurs catégories (auteurs, œuvres, genres, notions techniques et termes littéraires, supports et instruments, entrées thématiques, entrées géographiques, époques et mouvements littéraires, outils et lieux de travail), 192 spécialistes explorent les écritures de soi dans une large continuité historique et dans l’espace francophone.
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Françoise Simonet-Tenant, professeur de littérature française (université de Rouen – CÉRÉdI), a dirigé cet ouvrage avec la collaboration de Michel Braud (université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour – CRPHLL), Jean-Louis Jeannelle (université de Rouen – CÉRÉdI), Philippe Lejeune (fondateur à l’ITEM du groupe de recherche « Genèse et autobiographie » et président de l’Association pour l’autobiographie et le patrimoine autobiographique) et Véronique Montémont (université de Lorraine – ATILF).
This dictionary offers an overview of several decades of autobiography studies since the 1975 publication of Philippe Lejeune’s seminal Le Pacte Autobiographique. It surveys a research area whose boundaries are seldom clearly perceived, encompassing various forms and genres of 1st-person writing.
La Table des matières est disponible sur la fiche de cet ouvrage, à l’adresse : www.honorechampion.com
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Cet ouvrage est disponible à la Librairie Honoré Champion 3 rue Corneille 75006 Paris – 01 46 34 02 29
ou chez votre libraire habituel.
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IABA-L: A LIST FOR LIFE WRITING
International Auto/Biography Association
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/iaba/home
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7. Announcing publication of ‘Writing Feminist Lives: The Biographical Battles over Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem and Simone de Beauvoir’
Writing Feminist Lives: The Biographical Battles over Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem and Simone de Beauvoir
by Malin Lidström Brock
Palgrave MacMillan, 2017
https://www.palgrave.com/de/book/9783319471778
This book draws attention to the controversy that surrounds Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem, and Simone de Beauvoir’s lives and the important role that their life stories have played in their feminist writing. Directly and indirectly, the four women have contributed to battles over feminism’s meaning through autobiographically informed political writing. Inevitably, therefore, their biographers are also participants in these battles, yet not always on the same side as their subjects.
Writing Feminist Lives introduces a further fold of nuance into considerations of biography and feminism by showing that the biographers of the four women have made methodological choices that reflect their loyalty to, or their skepticism towards, competing ideological definitions of the exemplary feminist life.
The book is available both in hardback and ebook format.
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IABA-L: A LIST FOR LIFE WRITING
International Auto/Biography Association
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/iaba/home
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Last updated: 19 June 2017
