The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies (ACCS2018)

Dear Colleague, The deadline to submit your abstract to The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies (ACCS2018) is approaching. Submit by January 12, 2018 and come be a part of ACCS2018, held June 1-3, 2018 in the beautiful and historic city of Kobe, Japan. ***Conference Theme: "Fearful Futures: Cultural Studies and the Question of Agency in the Twenty-First Century" We have reached a moment in international history that is one of potential paradigm shift. It is a moment when a problematic, but at least blandly progressivist, pro-multiculturalist movement toward "cosmopolitanism" (as Kwame Anthony Appiah might use the term) is being threatened by a far more destructive and potentially genocidal ethno-nationalism, the ferocity of which is fueled by economic disparity, religious intolerance and retrograde ideologies regarding gender, race and sexuality. The possible global futures we face are fearful, indeed. In this context, cultural studies has a unique role to play in tracing the genealogy of the present moment and charting different paths forward. As never before, cultural studies is called to return to its activist roots, to diagnose the ideologies driving hatred and intolerance, and to posit different models of social engagement and organization. Looking to the past, what do we learn about the challenges of today? How does culture replicate itself (or critically engage itself) in the classroom, in literature, in social media, in film, in the visual and theatrical arts, in the family and among peer groups? How do we rise to the challenge of articulating a notion of human rights that also respects cultural difference? How do cultural representations of the environment abet or challenge the forces driving climate change? What are the roles and responsibilities of the individual activist as teacher, writer, social scientist and community member? This international and interdisciplinary conference will bring together a range of academics, independent researchers, artists and activists to explore the challenges that we face in the twenty-first century. While we have every right to fear the future, we also have agency in creating that future. Can we commit to a cosmopolitanism that celebrates difference and that challenges social inequity? On our ability to answer to that question affirmatively likely hangs our very survival. The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies 2018 (ACCS2018) will be held alongside The Asian Conference on Asian Studies 2018 (ACAS2018). Registration for either conference will allow delegates to attend sessions in the other. In conjunction with our Global Partners, including Osaka University (Japan), Lehigh University – College of Arts & Sciences (USA) and the University of Barcelona (Spain), we look forward to extending you a warm welcome in 2018. – The ACCS2018 Organising Committee (accs.iafor.org/organising-committee) Professor Emerita Sue Ballyn, Barcelona University, Spain Professor Donald E. Hall, Lehigh University, USA Professor Baden Offord, Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University, Australia & Cultural Studies Association of Australasia Dr Joseph Haldane, The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), Japan ---------- ***Keynote and Featured Speakers: https://accs.iafor.org/speakers/ IAFOR is proud and excited to announce the following speakers that will present in plenary and featured sessions. For more information on these speakers, please see the speakers page of the conference website. Dr Tammy Ho Lai-Ming, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Professor Vinay Lal, The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA Professor John Nguyet Erni, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Professor Emerita Sue Ballyn, Barcelona University, Spain Professor Donald E. Hall, Lehigh University, USA Professor Baden Offord, Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University, Australia & Cultural Studies Association of Australasia ---------- ***Key Information Venue & Location: Art Center Kobe, Kobe, Japan Dates: Friday, June 01, 2018 to Sunday, June 03, 2018 Conference Theme: "Fearful Futures: Cultural Studies and the Question of Agency in the Twenty-First Century" Early Bird Abstract Submission Deadline: January 12, 2018* Early Bird Registration Deadline: February 13, 2018 Final Abstract Submission Deadline: March 12, 2018 Registration Deadline for Presenters: April 13, 2018 *Submit by this deadline to be eligible for the Early Bird discount. ---------- ***Call for Papers – https://accs.iafor.org/call-for-papers/ The conference theme for ACCS is "Fearful Futures: Cultural Studies and the Question of Agency in the Twenty-First Century", and the organisers encourage submissions that approach this theme from a variety of perspectives. However, the submission of other topics for consideration is welcome and we also encourage sessions across a variety of interdisciplinary and theoretical perspectives. Please see the conference website for submission streams and conference sub-themes. ---------- ***IAFOR Publishing Opportunities **Peer-Reviewed Journal: IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies The IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies (ijcs.iafor.org) is an editorially independent journal associated with ACCS2018. The editor of the journal will select the strongest papers from associated Conference Proceedings for consideration. This Open Access journal, which conforms to the highest academic standards, reflects the interdisciplinary and international nature of our conferences. **Conference Proceedings After having your abstract accepted and presenting your research at the conference, you are encouraged to submit a full paper for inclusion in the official Conference Proceedings. Our Conference Proceedings are Open Access research repositories that act as permanent records of the research generated by IAFOR conferences. Further details are available here: accs.iafor.org/final-paper-submission ------------- ***Join IAFOR at ACCS2018 to: – Present to a global audience – Have your work published in the Conference Proceedings and considered for peer-reviewed, Open Access journals – Hear about the latest interdisciplinary research in Cultural Studies and more – Participate in a truly international, interdisciplinary and intercultural event – Take part in interactive audience sessions – Network with international colleagues **Register by February 13 to take advantage of Early Bird Registration prices. Final Registration is open until April 13, 2018. Lunch is included in audience and presenter conference registrations. Please see the registration page for details: accs.iafor.org/registration *If you have attended an IAFOR conference in the past, or belong to an IAFOR Global Partner institution or organisation, we offer additional registration discounts in appreciation of your support. Please contact the conference team at accs@iafor.org for details. ------------- ***About IAFOR The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) is a research organisation, conference organiser and publisher dedicated to encouraging interdisciplinary discussion, facilitating intercultural awareness and promoting international exchange, principally through educational exchange and academic research. To learn more about IAFOR, please visit iafor.org