One day
conference and edited collection
Conspiracy
theory, politics, and representation
University of Derby and QUAD arts centre, Derby, UK. 3rd July 2019
This call
is an invitation to a one day conference, out of which it is proposed to
prepare an edited collection of papers arising from it, on the theme of
conspiracy theory, politics and representation. Here, politics can be
interpreted in its widest sense and proposals concerned with conspiracy
theory’s role in metapolitics as a strategy of cultural penetration will be
particularly welcome. The conference will be a public event and whilst aimed at
sharing the very best in current scholarship, tickets will be priced in a way
that encourages wider audiences, especially FE and UG HE students, to attend.
There will be a full day’s programme of papers, discussion, and an evening film
screening.
Conformed
speakers include Professor Peter Knight (University of Manchester) who will
present a paper titled, “Everything Is Connected: The Visual Culture of
Conspiracy Theory” and David Robertson (Open University).
What was
once the study of marginal and stigmatized beliefs has become a headlong rush
to keep up with the mainstreaming of conspiracy theory. Whilst there is much to
be said for the belief that engaging in conspiracy theory can help to develop a
healthy scepticism toward hegemonic accounts of socio-political reality, the
world of conspiracy theory has moved on a great deal from Fenster’s account of
‘great scholars and regular kids with laptops’ in the 9/11 Truther movement.
Whilst they still represent a section of conspiracy theorists they have been
obscured by Birthers, Pizzagate activists, and, increasingly, a politicised far
right. At the same time conspiracy theory has shed the stereotypical image of
being the purview of ‘tin foil hat wearers’ and has begun to garner
acceptability among sections of the public. As ‘alternate facts’ and ‘fake
news’ further undermine faith in the possibility of accurate representations of
a shared social reality, the stigma associated with what had, for the most
part, been seen as crank ideas has diminished. This conference and associated
edited collection seeks to capture this moment of extended reach and acceptance
of conspiracy theories.
The
following themes indicate potential topics for abstracts but variations,
combinations, and additions are welcome:
- The survival and resurgence of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
- Conspiracy theories and ‘the new populism’
- Demographic variations in conspiracy adherence
- The pleasures of conspiracy theory
- Radical religion and conspiracy theory
- Political extremism and conspiracy theories
- Social media and the normalisation of conspiracy theory
- The scope for rational critical enquiry at a time of generalised scepticism
Abstracts
of no more than 300 words, a working title, and a short proposer biography are
invited for submission no later than February 1st, 2019. Accommodation expenses
for accepted speakers will be provided, as will travel costs within the UK.
Papers accepted for the conference will be included in the edited collection
proposal although speakers are welcome to submit proposals intended for the
conference or the collection. If you wish for your abstract to be considered
solely for the conference or edited collection then please indicate this in
your submission. Submissions for the edited collection will be required by August
30th , 2019.
Please send
your abstracts to: Andrew Fergus Wilson, School of Law, Humanities, and Social
Sciences at the University of Derby in Word or PDF format
a.f.wilson@derby.ac.uk
Conference
Host: QUAD
At the time
of the conference QUAD is exhibiting Megan Broadmeadow’s installation ‘SEEK
PRAY ADVANCE’ which explores the beliefs of The Aetherius Society. QUAD is an
international centre for engagement in contemporary art and film, based in
Derby, in the heart of the UK, with annual footfall of over 300,000. The
year-round programme focuses on major exhibitions, professional practice for
artists, mass participation, commissions, independent film and the creative use
of emergent digital technologies. QUAD is a charity focused on intercultural
dialogue through supporting diverse audiences to engage, develop skills and
contribute to contemporary culture. Major projects include FORMAT International
Photography Biennale and the UK’s largest international portfolio review, as
well as recent exhibitions – including many new commissions by Susan
MacWilliam, Benedict Drew, teamLab, Rebecca Allen – and Doug Fishbone’s 9-hole
crazy golf course at the 2015 Venice Biennale. QUAD is also home to the Derby
Film Festival. QUAD’s founding patron was the late Sir John Hurt.
Senior
Lecturer in Sociology
College of
Business, Law and Social Sciences
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