The theme of this year’s Radical Americas symposium is “Decolonizing Americas”, acknowledging the long arc of struggle for freedom since the period of European colonization of the Western Hemisphere in the 15t^h century. Our collaborative effort will be to consider how histories within the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean converge and depart in relation to the experience of anti-colonial and decolonizing social movements, many of which continue today. We will also consider the ways that cultural efforts, collectives, art, and intellectual projects shape radical imaginaries of freedom.

Argument

The theme of this year’s Radical Americas symposium is ‘Decolonizing Americas’, acknowledging the long arc of struggle for freedom since the period of European colonization of the Western Hemisphere in the 15th century. Our collaborative effort will be to consider how histories within the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean converge and depart in relation to the experience of anti-colonial and decolonizing social movements, many of which continue today. We will also consider the ways that cultural efforts, collectives, art, and intellectual projects shape radical imaginaries of freedom.

Main topics 

Topics of particular interest include:

• Decolonization Movements
• Decolonial Theory
• Aesthetics and Politics
• Anarchist Movements
• Radical Intellectuals
• Hidden Archives
• Genealogies of Radical Struggle
• Caribbean Philosophical Thought
• Indigenous Studies
• Black Studies
• Feminist Networks
• Haitian Revolution
• Central American Revolutions
• “Pink Tide”
• Militarisms

Submission guidelines

Papers on these topics are encouraged, but as in previous years, we welcome submissions on any aspect of radicalism as it pertains to the Western Hemisphere, in any discipline. We continue to support interdisciplinary and intra-regional encounters.

Abstracts of around 300 words should be submitted to radicalamericas@gmail.com alongside a CV or brief author biography -

the deadline for paper proposals is 30th June 2016

though early submission of proposals is strongly encouraged. Complete panels of three papers will be considered; please adhere to the same deadline and supply individual abstracts and a proposed panel title.

Some travel grants will be available, with different grant pools for presenters based in the UK, the rest of Europe, and the rest of the world. Priority will be given to those most in need of financial assistance. Please indicate whether you would like to be considered for a travel grant when you submit your abstract.

Fees

The conference fee will be £65 for those who can pay it and £25 for those who cannot. An informal dinner will take place on the evening of the 12th.

Scientific committee

• William Booth (UCL)
• Geoff Goodwin (LSE)
• Stephanie Pearce (Queen Mary)
• Mark Seddon (Manchester)
• Thomas Maier (UCL/ Univ. of Bremen)