Activism Across the Political Spectrum: Challenges for Practice, Research and Teaching in the Cultural Heritage Field

Type: Call for Papers

Date: October 12, 2019

Location: United Kingdom

Subject Fields: Anthropology, Art, Art History & Visual Studies, Colonial and Post-Colonial History / Studies, Contemporary History, Cultural History / Studies

Call for Papers for a Panel for the Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference 2020 at University College London (UK).

We invite proposals for the following panel for the Association of Critical Heritage Studies 5^th Biennial Conference 2020: Futures (https://achs2020london.com/)

Date of the Conference: 26 – 30 August 2020

Venue: University College London, London, UK

Submission Deadline for Paper Abstracts: 12 October 2019
Panel Session: Activism Across the Political Spectrum: Challenges for Practice, Research and Teaching in the Cultural Heritage Field

This session examines different types of activism and activist groups across the political spectrum and discusses how the dramatic political shifts and the rise of populist and far-right groups and parties in many countries across the globe have impacted – and keep impacting – the cultural heritage sector. While recent academic literature has primarily focused on the progressive activist potential within the cultural heritage sector, the panel seeks to explore how various activist groups have used cultural heritage sites, museums, or grassroots initiatives to promote their agendas. One of the principal aims of this panel is to understand the shifting dynamics among various actors in the field. A second aim is to explore implications and future challenges for practice and teaching. How should academic disciplines such as critical heritage and museum studies reconsider their curricula and include teaching activist and grassroots strategies alongside academic institutional critique?

We welcome proposals for papers that explore how activists across the political spectrum have managed to turn non-issues into issues. What sort of tactics and respective counter-tactics have activists employed? And how have the wider public, non-institutional initiatives as well as institutional organisations in the field responded, e.g. by rejecting and pro-actively fighting back or by embracing and adopting activists’ agendas? We are interested in a wide range of activist practices across the globe, ranging from local initiatives to global, social media-driven movements. Areas may include—but are not limited to—eco-rights, human rights, civil rights, gender and LGBTQI+ policies, data rights, etc. We welcome cross-disciplinary proposals from individuals at different stages in their careers, including early career researchers, academics and practitioners from a range of methodological and conceptual perspectives.

Abstract Submission: Please send an abstract of 250 words max. for a 15 min. paper presentation (followed by 5 min. Q&A) and your contact details (email address) and affiliation (if any) directly to the panel organiser Dr Annette Loeseke (NYU Berlin) by 12 October 2019: annette.loeseke@nyu.edu.

Please note that the conference fee is 350£ (regular fee) / 290£ (student fee).

Panel Organiser: Dr Annette Loeseke (Lecturer in Museum Studies, New York University Berlin)

For any enquiries please contact annette.loeseke@nyu.edu.

Contact Info: Dr Annette Loeseke, Lecturer in Museum Studies, New York University, Berlin Campus (Germany)

Contact Email: annette.loeseke@nyu.edu