Friday, February 18, 2011

CFP: International Steampunk City: Panels, Lectures, and Roundtables for the Academic Track (3/15; 5/6-8/2011)


International Steampunk City
Waltham, MA
May 6-8, 2011

CFP: Panel, Lecture, and Round-Table Topics
Organizer: Catherine Siemann, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Cooper Union & John Jay College, CUNY

Catherine Siemann in the process of pulling together an Academic Track for the International Steampunk City, to be held on May 6-8 in Waltham, Massachusetts.  The event, which is a benefit for the Charles River Museum of Industry, is going to involve the entire town of Waltham, with performances, exhibitions, and events of many kinds.  A room in the public library has been reserved for academic panels, lectures, and round-table discussions, dealing with steampunk, or with 19th-century history, culture, technology, literature, architecture, fashion, etc.

We’re looking for the following, for programming on Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8:

  • Academic panels: proposals for individual papers or entire panels on topics related to Steampunk or to relevant 19th-century history, culture, technology, literature, architecture, fashion, etc. Because of the relatively short time frame in planning this, we would encourage you to submit informal indications of intent sooner, rather than later. Formal proposals are due by March 15.
  • Lectures: proposals for  30-45 minute presentation on a relevant topic; there will be room on the schedule for some presentations of this type.  Again, formal proposals by March 15, but we would appreciate hearing sooner, if you’re planning to propose something.
  • Round tables: more informal discussions, with a single moderator or a panel, again on topics relevant to Steampunk or 19th-century history and culture.
If you’re interested in participating, please contact Catherine at csiemann@gmail.com.  This is going to be a major event, and one well worth being involved with.  

Click here for media coverage
Click here for the official website.