The “Becoming Crisis” of Critical Studies and Praxis
The 2012 SESE Conference – Saturday, April 21, 2012
In a post 9/11 world where dissent is actively and continuously shut down
and the U.S. has declared war on embodied difference worldwide, what does
critical engagement as scholars, activists, and artists mean? How and why
does it matter in a world where death, injury, danger, poverty and
destitution are still regularly enacted on bodies that are ‘different’?
Academic scholarship, political engagement and provocative artistic
endeavors must take seriously critiques emanating from the public about
their relevance in such a world. As boundaries continue to be drawn between
theory and practice, between the myriad academic disciplines concerned with
equity, and between activist communities, how might the notion of a
‘becoming crisis’ be engaged by critical studies and praxis in order to
refashion scholarship in ways that create more relevant understandings of
what it means to be human alongside more viable life-practices.
This year’s SESE Conference theme focuses on the “Becoming Crisis” in
critical work – the existential question of “Why are we here?” and perhaps
more importantly, “To what end?” Submissions in a variety of formats and a
wide range of disciplines are encouraged. The theme is an invitation toward
reflection and interrogation of critical practices in order to challenge the
ongoing, global and globalizing war on embodied difference and the enduring
privileging of the 1%.
Questions that animate the conference theme include, but are not limited to:
• How does the work produced by the academy both foster and challenge
current power relations; how do “we” reinforce present reality yet still
push toward something different?
• How is critical race studies and/or anti-racism raising the question of
human in new ways? How can conceptions of the limits of viable life (i.e.,
disability, the subaltern) imposed through dominant political, social and
knowledge practices be challenged?
• How can the notion of a becoming crisis in critical work help think about
our practices, alongside the animosities between approaches, disciplines and
practices differently?
• What are the dangers of the increasing institutionalization of radical
social and political movements into the academy – anti-racist,
post-colonialism, feminisms, Aboriginal, queer and disability studies, etc.?
• What does it mean to be human?
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:
• Paper presentations: Individual paper presentations will be organized into
a panel of three, related by topic area and assigned a moderator.
• Panels: Panels may be pre-constituted and include 3-4 individuals
including a moderator, plus a possible discussant.
• Poster: Posters will display on-going research, service, advocacy, or
activist projects.
• Workshop: A facilitated activity involving 3 or more presenters.
• Facilitated Discussion: Discussion with a set topic and a moderator.
• Artistic work (in all senses of the arts): Critical artistic work that
addresses the theme in a range of media is welcome. Keep in mind you will be
working in a classroom space unless alternative space is pre-arranged with
the organizers.
Please submit an abstract of no more than 200 words to
conferencesese@gmail.com by February 20, 2012. Panel proposals require an
abstract describing both the panel and the individual papers. For
discussions, describe how the time will be utilized and the topic
facilitated. Workshop presenters should address methodology, pedagogy, and
desired learning outcomes in their submission. Artists must connect their
work to the conference theme and briefly describe the optimal setting for
their work. Approximately fifteen minutes will be allotted for papers and
presentations. Please note in your submission if more time is required.
Papers will be selected through anonymous peer review. Please observe the
following procedures to enable the review process:
1) Attach a short biographical note of 50 words on a separate page.
2) Please include your name, institution, abstract, title of session, list
of participants (if applicable), and e-mail with your submission.
3) Please include a short statement of 50 words describing how access (see
attached guidelines) will be addressed in your presentation.
4) Do not include your name on the same page as the abstract.
5) Type “abstract” in the subject line of your email.
All welcome! Information on accessibility and accommodation:
patricia.douglas@utoronto.ca.
Papers may be given in English or French, with citations in any language.
All questions can be addressed to the conference co-chairs:
Juliet Hess
Patty Douglas
Nikoletta Papadopoul