Conference: Islands as diverse spaces, 3.- 5. October 2024, University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland

Conference: Islands as diverse spaces, 3.- 5. October 2024, University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland

Further information on the conference website https://www.uw.is/en/events/radstefna-eyjar-og-fjolbreytileiki

In the vast expanse of our global landscape, islands and remote communities emerge as spaces of resilience, biodiversity, and cultural richness. The conference on island and remote communities will be held at the University Centre of Westfjords, Iceland, in partnership with the University of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon institute, on October 3rd to 5th 2024. The aim of the conference is to direct our attention to the intrinsic importance of islands and remote communities as dynamic microcosms deserving of profound research. Islands, with their distinctive ecosystems and social structures, face unique challenges—from the impact of climate change to the delicate balance of sustainable development. Recognizing the critical role that islands and remote communities play in global ecological and cultural tapestries, this conference aims at exploring island communities from three overarching themes: culture, language, and education. The conference will bring together practitioners from all levels and backgrounds to encourage interdisciplinary discussions to unearth the untapped potential of islands as “laboratories” for innovative research, policy development, and community empowerment. There will be lectures,workshops, creative presentations and roundtables at the conference. For more information about island studies click here.

Call for Papers

We are opening a call for abstracts for the conference and seeking a wide variety of papers related
to islands and island communities. Possible themes include:

  • Sexual identity and gender
  • Islands and masculinity
  • LGBTQIA+ issues
  • Diversity and local knowledge
  • Violence
  • Immigrants
  • Education and schools
  • Religion and religious life
  • Education policies and curricula
  • Language and language learning
  • Sustainability and climate change
  • Nature and tourism
  • Resources and their management
  • History and philosophy
  • Narratives about the past and future
  • Island literature
  • Island identity
  • Traditions, and the present

The focus of the conference is on multiple and multidisciplinary topics. Therefore, papers with a
multidisciplinary approach or multiple themes will receive special consideration in the selection
process. The conference will be in English, and abstracts for proposed papers must be submitted in
English. Presentations including time for questions may not take more than 20 minutes. The deadline
for submission of abstracts (maximum 250 words) is March 30, 2024. The abstracts should be sent
to bjarney.ingibjorg@uw.is

Decisions regarding submissions are expected to be available in mid-April.