An Interdisciplinary Memory Conference at the New School for Social Research, New York, February 7-9, 2008

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2007

Call for Papers

A rapidly growing interest in memory studies is shared today by different academic disciplines. From studies of memory in the brain by neurobiologists and psychologists, to the study of cultural forms of remembrance by sociologists, cultural critics and art historians, different disciplines study how memory functions and how it is constructed and used, either as the unit of research or as a lens through which to explore other phenomena. Yet only rarely do these disciplines meet to engage in a conversation with one another on the topic. However, if and when they meet, they might find that what they share most is the need for new paradigms and analyses that bridge and support the diverse disciplines of memory studies. This conference brings together leading scholars in the field and graduate students to break new ground for their specific disciplines, as well as for the memory discourse in general. In the tradition and spirit of the New School for Social Research the conference is devoted to developing a critical debate among the social sciences and humanities around the question: Is an Interdisciplinary Field of Memory Possible? And if it is possible, how can it contribute to new paradigms and analyses of memory.

Faculty and graduate students from fields such as Sociology, Psychology, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science, Media Studies, Culture Studies, Art History, Literature and Film are welcome to submit a paper for presentation on one of the following topics:

Media/space
Silence
Identity
Truth and Power
Trauma

Please send an abstract (250 words) with the title, full name and institutional affiliation, and email by December 1, 2007 to: NSSRMemoryConference@gmail.com

The conference is organized by the Interdisciplinary Memory Group at the New School for Social Research. For questions and more information please email: NSSRMemoryConference@gmail.com