Oppositions: An Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Conference

　　28th and 29th September 2012

　　University of Salford

　　This postgraduate conference seeks to explore ideas of opposition through the full range of disciplines in the arts, media, and social sciences.

　　In the context of the current crisis of capitalism, there are many examples of the forms ‘opposition’ can take: the Tea Party in the United States, the rise of fascist groups, campaigns run via new technologies and social media, religious fundamentalisms, and general strikes in Greece. Though it carries radical overtones, ‘opposition’ in itself is not tied to any particular dogma, left or right. We invite papers that explore the value and values of opposition as a position to be adopted by individuals or groups.

　　We welcome proposals for papers from postgraduate students that engage with any aspect of opposition. These could include, but are by no means limited to: the ‘culture industry’ and alternative youth cultures; opposition parties within parliamentary politics; grass-roots activism; the history and future of the labour movement; hegemony; Foucauldian ‘resistance’ and its limits; radical pedagogies and the role of the University; community and class; the aesthetic value of non-mainstream or outsider art; aesthetic oppositions such as contrapuntal music or bricolage; and the formation of creole or pidgin languages.

　　Papers are welcome from fields such as politics, literature, philosophy, anthropology, religions and theology, geography, sociology, history, classics, translation studies, linguistics and social linguistics, visual and screen studies, new media and communication studies, and the performing arts. Interdisciplinary papers are very welcome.

　　Keynotes

　　Yngvar B. Steinholt (Visiting Scholar, Salford), 'Tahrir on the Red Square': A Lasting Political Awakening of the Russian Cultural Underground?',

　　Bob Jeffery, (Sheffield Hallam), 'Oppositional Salford: Dirty Old Town to Splintering Post-Industrial City',

　　We will also be screening the new documentary film, 'From Cable Street to Brick Lane', which charts the history of anti-fascist and anti-racist activity in the East End of London, followed by a Q&A session with its creators.

　　More information can be found athttp://oppositionsconference.wordpress.com/

　　Abstracts of 250 words are invited for presentations of 20 minutes. Proposals for performances, screenings etc. are also accepted. The conference intends to publish an edited volume of the best papers presented.

　　Send abstracts to oppositionsconference[at]gmail.com by 20th July 2012