Call for papers: Postgraduate Colloquium in Low Countries Studies (2017)

Telling stories: Changing narratives in low countries history, culture, and society

Thursday 6 and Friday 7 July 2017

Institute for Modern Languages Research, Senate House, London. Organised in association with the IMLR, ALCS, the University of Sheffield and University College London.

Deadline for submission: 31 March 2017

Recognising that the interwoven histories of the British Isles and the Low Countries mean there is a long tradition of cultural exchange and academic cooperation between both sides of the North Sea, the colloquium also seeks to forge closer links with young researchers from Belgium, the Netherlands, and from the field of international Dutch Studies worldwide. With this colloquium we wish to promote the interdisciplinary study of the Netherlands and Belgium in its broadest definition.

Focusing on narratives that have defined Dutch and Flemish culture, as well as the ways these cultural imaginings have shaped a range of transnational and international concepts, ‘Telling stories’ aims to bring together scholars of Low Countries studies across disciplines, institutions and national boundaries to consider the future role of Anglophone Dutch studies within and beyond the academic institutions.

Entering uncertain political, cultural, and economic times, we must look beyond the remit of the traditional field of Neerlandistiek to consider our work in a global context, responding to the current challenges of the academic climate by bringing to light new perspectives on contemporary and historical issues in the field of Low Countries studies.

‘Telling stories’ is open to postgraduate students and early career researchers working on any aspect of Low Countries studies. The colloquium will function to create a point of contact for researchers to engage in an inclusive mutual exchange of knowledge. We welcome applicants from any country and extend a warm invitation to those who wish to participate as observers.

We welcome proposals for papers of up to 20 minutes, panels of up to three papers and presentations in non-traditional formats (eg presentation of translations, posters) in English from MA and PhD students, and early career researchers covering any area relating to Low Countries studies.

Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:

• Historical narratives of the Low Countries in a European and global context

• Master narratives of Netherlandic culture

• Cultural and identitarian imaginings in Dutch and Flemish literature

• Colonial and postcolonial narratives

• Storytelling through Dutch-language theatre, performance, and film

• Dutch/Flemish herstories

• Stories of the self: Queer and gender studies in Dutch/Flemish vontexts

• Art history (artistic challenges to popular narratives, for example)

• Storying Anglo-Dutch/Belgian relations

• The Low Countries in the European narrative

• Contemporary Dutch/Flemish-speaking culture and politics

• Translating to/from Dutch and English

• The history and future of Low Countries studies as a discipline

If you would like to participate, please send a proposal of no more than 300 words to the organising committee, c/o pglowcountriesstudies@gmail.com. Your proposal should contain the following information in one document:

• Your name, postal address, telephone number, and email address.

• The name of the institution at which you are registered.

• The media required for your presentation, eg data projector/laptop, PowerPoint, VHS/DVD player, OHP, CD/cassette player, slide projector.

Offers of papers/presentations must be made by Monday 31 March 2017.

Organising committee: Jenny Watson (Swansea), Cyd Sturgess (Sheffield)

A conference fee of £15 for administrative costs and refreshments will be charged (committee and speakers included) but this will be waived for postgraduate students without funding support (including MA and final year PhD students). Bursaries for travel costs and accommodation are available.