The IAFOR International Conference on the City (CITY2018)

Dear Colleague, The Early Bird Submission Deadline for The IAFOR International Conference on the City (CITY2018) is rapidly approaching. Submit your abstract by February 28, and join us July 13-15, in the amazing city of Barcelona, Spain for this exceptional event. ***Conference Theme: "Fearful Futures: Cities 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 fuelled by economic disparity, religious intolerance and retrograde ideologies regarding gender, race and sexuality. In June 2017 an "International Municipalist Summit" was held in Barcelona under the banner "Fearless Cities". The summit brought together mayors and municipal representatives from across the world over three days. "Fearful Futures: Cities in the Twenty-First Century" must obviously deal with parallel paradigms of concern as the Barcelona summit. However, the very title of that summit has an undertow of optimism. "Fearful futures" signals a concern that the future/s awaiting inhabitants of cities, towns and villages across the world during the remainder of the twenty-first century may be plagued by problems that have remained unresolved in the first eighteen years of this century. What kind of future awaits young people and the children being born today? Can we turn our societies around to re/create urban areas that are not only sustainable but safe for all inhabitants regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality and class? The challenge is enormous, perhaps impossible, and thus the future indeed fearful. 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 our twenty-first-century cities. This conference will be held in parallel to The IAFOR International Conference on Global Studies 2018 (Global2018), and will provide a counter to the localised perspectives that can easily obscure the simple fact that many of the world's major cities have now become, more than ever, global portals and places of international exchange. Registration for either of these conferences will allow participants to attend sessions in the other. We invite academics from around the world to join us in the fascinating historical, cultural and artistic centre of Barcelona, to exchange ideas and participate in the continuing story of this city. In conjunction with our Global Partners, including the University of Barcelona, we look forward to extending you a warm welcome in 2018. – The CITY2018 Organising Committee (https://city.iafor.org/organising-committee/) Professor Emerita Sue Ballyn, University of Barcelona, Spain Dr Montserrat Camps Gasset, University of Barcelona, Spain Professor Donald E. Hall, Lehigh University, USA Dr Cornelis Martin Renes, University of Barcelona, Spain 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 ---------- ***Key Information Venue & Location: University of Barcelona & NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, Barcelona, Spain Dates: Friday, July 13, 2018 to Sunday, July 15, 2018 Conference Theme: "Fearful Futures: Cities in the Twenty-First Century" Early Bird Abstract Submission Deadline: February 28, 2018* Early Bird Registration Deadline: March 30, 2018 Final Abstract Submission Deadline: April 30, 2018 Registration Deadline for Presenters: May 30, 2018 *Submit early to take advantage of the discounted registration rates. Learn more about our registration options – https://city.iafor.org/registration/ ---------- ***Keynotes and Featured Speakers: https://city.iafor.org/speakers/ CITY2018 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. Professor Emerita Sue Ballyn, University of Barcelona, Spain Michael Strubell, Spain Associate Professor Liz Byrski, Curtin University, Australia Dr Montserrat Camps Gasset, University of Barcelona, Spain Professor Donald E. Hall, Lehigh University, USA Dr Bill Phillips, University of Barcelona, Spain Dr Cornelis Martin Renes, University of Barcelona, Spain ---------- ***Call for Papers – https://city.iafor.org/call-for-papers/ The conference theme for CITY2018 is "Fearful Futures: Cities 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. Submissions are organised into the following thematic streams: – Language, Literature and Linguistics – Visual and Performing Arts – Music, Musicology and Ethnomusicology – Media, Film and Communication Studies – Culture, Popular Culture and Cultural Studies – Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences – Ethics, Religion and Philosophy – Sustainability: Ecology, Energy and the Environment – History, Anthropology and Archaeology – Geography and Landscape/Urban Planning, Architecture and Design – Political Science: Administration, Governance and Finance – Economics and Business Studies – Sociology, Social Work and Social Concerns – Technology and Information Science – Global cross-cultural comparisons – Public Policy (including Health and Education) – Travel and Tourism ---------- ***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 CITY2018. 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: city.iafor.org/final-paper-submission ------------- ***Join IAFOR at CITY2018 to: – Become part of a growing academic community & network – Present your research to a global audience – Have your work published in the Conference Proceedings and considered for peer-reviewed, Open Access journals – Meet colleagues from around the world in a truly international, interdisciplinary & intercultural event – Experience and take part in interactive audience sessions **Register by March 30, 2018 to take advantage of Early Bird Registration prices. Final Registration is open until May 30, 2018. A light lunch and coffee breaks are included in audience and presenter conference registrations on presentation days. Please see the registration page for details: city.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 city@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