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“Somewhere in Between: Borders and Borderlands”

International Conference

27-28 April 2024 – London / Online

organised by

London Centre for Interdisciplinary Research

In an ever changing world the problems of setting boundaries as well as the need to create meanings and establish understanding of diverse phenomena have always been of the utmost importance for humanity. Borders, boundaries, frontiers, and borderlands, naturally formed or man made, are grounded in various ethical traditions, and have always been associated with limits and restrictions. The ongoing process of globalisation is changing the role and stereotypes of borders, so that they are often seen as opportunities rather than constraints. However, in some cases they are still being militarized and conflicted.

The conference will seek to identify and analyse the processes of border-making and border permeability in contemporary societies through aesthetic forms. We seek to explore the historical origins of borders, their role in today’s global environment and define the notion of borders, which includes not only territorial, geographical, and political borders, but also cultural and metaphorical borders, imagined spaces where interests and ideologies overlap and compete.

Conference panels will be related, but not limited, to:

  • border poetics
  • border-crossing
  • security versus openness of borders
  • cultural hybridization
  • cross‐border co‐operation
  • processes of de‐bordering
  • borders and refugees
  • social, cultural or language differences between communities

We invite proposals from various disciplines including political sciences, history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, architecture, literature, linguistics, etc.

Paper proposals up to 250 words and a brief biographical note should be sent by 20 November 2023 to: borders@lcir.co.uk. Please download Paper proposal form.

Registration fee (online participation) – 90 GBP

Registration fee (physical participation) – 150 GBP

Provisional venue: Birkbeck, University of London

Selected papers will be published in a post-conference volume with ISBN.