{call for papers} 7th International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference
Narrative Exchange in Risky Spaces
Dublin City University (online) June 16th and 17th 2021
Keynote Speaker: Professor Jonathan Wyatt
Infectious: Writing, the everyday, and the risk/hope of connection
Submission, registration information and deadlines
Abstract word limit: 300 words
Please submit your abstract and a short bio (150 words) at the following link
Abstract deadline: 12th March 2021
Deadline for submission of recorded presentations: 21st May 2021
Conference registration link
If you have any queries, please contact: Dr Briege Casey at briege.casey@dcu.ie
The 7th Irish International Conference on Narrative Inquiry welcomes papers / posters / panels/performances from across the social sciences and creative disciplines that have a theoretical, methodological and/or creative interest in narrative.
The overall theme of the conference this year is Narrative Exchange in Risky Spaces
Story making and story sharing are sense making activities, endemic across cultures and prevalent through time. The ‘homo narrans’ (Fisher 1984) configures life experiences and life learnings into storied form and dialogues meanings with others through narrative. Narratives frequently emerge from and are concerned with confusing or troubling experiences. In the sharing the narrator seeks clarity and communion with others.
However, trauma, fear, shocking stories and limited or hostile audiences can make narrative configuring and sharing a risky business. For example; the recent global pandemic has resulted in biographical disruption for many people.
We need narrative dialogue, yet social distancing and cocooning mean that habitual opportunities for narrative configuration through story sharing may be lost, limited or transformed via online technologies. In times of political unrest, fear and paranoia can influence whether/what stories are told and how narratives are shaped. In contexts of trauma, stories may be silenced.
In this conference we are interested in the personal and cultural narratives that are configured in times of risk, trauma and trouble. We want to explore whether/how these narratives of disruption are accommodated, shared and shaped in the wider context of their tellings. We are particularly drawn to the notion of ‘narrative contagion’ (Servitje & Nixon, 2016) that is; how particular narratives ‘catch onto’ public sentiment; informing and informed by prevailing socio-political discourse.
Hosted by Dublin City University, the conference is co-organised and supported by Institute of Technology, Sligo; Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin. The conference aims to bring together a wide range of Irish and international scholars to share and explore recent developments in narrative inquiry. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the conference will be online.
Themes can include:
- Narratives in trouble
- Biographical disruption
- Silenced stories
- Relational reconfiguring in risky spaces
- Performance, representation and voice
- Narrative transmission/Narrative contagion (Servite & Nixon, 2016)
- ‘Going viral’ Contagion and Social media / social media as contagion
- The ‘outbreak narrative’ (Wald 2008)
- Historical/modern discourses of contagion/ Contagion as metaphor
- Virulence and threat/ Decentering the Anthropocene
- Open strand
We invite contributions in the following formats
Performances/digital media (15 minute duration)
Workshops (45 minute duration)
Online Posters (which will be displayed during breaks)
Please note: In order to avoid technology glitches, we ask that presenters pre-record their sessions where possible and submit these by the deadlines below. This does not apply to ‘live’ workshops. There will be a live question and answer session after each panel of presentations.
Conference Organisers
Dr Briege Casey, Dublin City University, Dr Catherine Conlon, Trinity College Dublin; Dr Jacqueline O’ Toole, Institute of Technology, Sligo & Dr Grace O’ Grady, Maynooth University
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