CFP 2015

Queer Conversations is a half-day graduate symposium inviting conversation and collaboration on queer issues and research intending to highlight the queer work graduate students are doing across disciplines and departments.

At last year’s symposium, we listened to speakers from an array of fields and disciplines talk about contemporary queer topics and themes. From queer performance art to investigating queer lives in the academy, speakers challenged audience members to think queerly about their areas of interest. To continue this tradition and increase institutional visibility on queer issues, we are hosting our second annual symposium, Queer Conversations II: Queer Rage. This year’s symposium will include Ignite talks, a works in progress forum, a reception and resource fair, and evening performances by queer artists.

Sponsored by The Queer Theory Playground in Rhetoric & Writing, The CAL Inclusion Committee, The Center for Gender in Global Context, The Writing Center, and Project 60/50.

We are now accepting proposals for the following:

• Works-in-Progress Forum: 1-2 folks working in related areas or on related topics who want to facilitate a conversation on a queer theme or tension will jump start a works-in-progress conversation with a brief sharing of their own work. Please submit a proposal of 200 words that explains the general topic and each speaker’s focus.
• Ignite Talks: these are 5-minute individual talks accompanied by no more than 5 slides. Ignite sessions will be concluded with open discussion and networking. Please submit a brief proposal of 200 words indicating the talk’s topic.
• Performance Pieces: Readings, demonstrations, art displays, video screenings, dramatizations, and other performances are welcome. Please give an overview of the performance piece, its approximate length, and/or display needs in your 200-word proposal.

Send proposals as an attachment to queertheoryplayground(at)gmail(dot)com by Saturday, March 14th. Please indicate which session type your proposal is for (work-in-progress forum, Ignite talk, or performance), and include presenter(s) name(s), degree program(s), and email address(es) with the proposal. If you have questions, please contact Trixie Smith at smit1254(at)msu(dot)edu.