Call for Papers Open until 31st January 2025

Conference Date: 17th May 2025

Confirmed Keynote Speaker: David Lehmann (Cambridge)

In the second half of the twentieth century, the concept of decolonisation was primarily tied to anti-colonial nationalist struggles in Asia and Africa. More recently, with the rise of decoloniality, the notion of decolonisation has transmuted into the decolonial and expanded into a wide array of domains, as seen in the growing uses of the verb to decolonise across diverse disciplines, cultural and institutional practices, and social activism. Decolonial perspectives indeed have now become the concern of a wide array of academics – from the humanities to the sciences – seeking to rethink their disciplines by engaging non-Western traditions and challenging ethnocentric methodologies; they are also a focal point for administrators grappling with diversity and inclusion, artists reinterpreting culture and history, curators managing colonial-era collections, and policymakers navigating the complexities of multicultural societies, among others. 

The proliferation of ways and domains in which the decolonial is invoked raises a critical question: what precisely is being demanded in these calls for decolonisation, in contrast to the historical understanding of the concept as a struggle for political sovereignty? Is the decolonial a relevant and effective framework for addressing contemporary social, political, and cultural challenges – and in what ways? Where does this concept open up productive possibilities, and where has the term been misused, trivialised, or co-opted in reactionary ways? 

The rise of decolonial discourse has also placed it at the heart of contemporary ‘culture wars’. For some, decolonial perspectives are crucial for the West to confront its imperial legacies; for others, they threaten to oversimplify history. Even among its advocates, there are significant differences: Should a decolonial outlook serve to revitalise universal values and humanism, or are these irredeemably Eurocentric ideals? Does it necessitate the affirmation of radical, incommensurable difference as a basis for intercultural justice, or is that a potentially dangerous stance that could justify oppressive practices in the name of cultural alterity? As the decolonial gains traction, its meaning and scope remain contested. 

This conference seeks to bring together diverse perspectives from both academic and non-academic sectors to critically engage with the evolving concept of the decolonial. It aims to bridge theoretical discussions with practical, real-world applications. 

We invite papers that explore: 

• Theoretical and critical perspectives on the decolonial across disciplines, including its role in the arts, public discourse, activism, social movements, and academic debates. 

• Case studies of decolonial initiatives within institutions such as museums, universities, and cultural organisations. 

• History and evolution of decolonisation and decolonial thinking in politics, culture, and the arts. 

• Critical reflections on the potential misuses, co-optations, or reactionary articulations of decolonial rhetoric in policy, activism, and theory. 

 Submission Guidelines 

We welcome proposals from scholars, practitioners, activists, artists, and professionals involved in other relevant fields. Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and submitted by January 31st, 2025 to uad2025@gmail.com. 

 

KEY DATES

• Abstract submission deadline: 31^st January 2025

• Notification of acceptance: 17^th February 2025

• Conference date: 17^th May 2025

CONTACT:

uad2025 at gmail dot com

Organiser: Julián Harruch