Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
During this conference we would like to critically reflect on epistemic and ontological
characteristics of the concepts of migration and borders in order to deconstruct them,
broaden their implications and search for new ways of engaging with them. Our selection of
these two concepts as dialectically intertwined comes from an understanding of their
centrality, interrelatedness and their potential to create new insights on the matter. We
propose to consider borders not as fixed ‘objects’, but as complex forms, crossed by cultural,
linguistic, material and semiotic components that unfold in everyday relations
(Vaughan-Williams 2009).
Far from representing mere geopolitical barriers for the movement of people, products and
capital; we suggest considering borders as ‘productive forces’ in the articulation of these
elements (Mezzadra 2013 ). We propose that the ideas of “traveling concepts” (Bal 2002)
and “nomadic theory” (Braidotti 1994) would help a conceptualization of migration and
borders to go beyond the often rather fixed meanings that are associated with these
concepts in public debates. Through this theoretical debate we hope to reflect on how
theories of migration and borders themselves have an evolving and mobile nature (Knapp
2005). In this context we would like to see migration over borders not so much as a problem,
but as a normal part of human conduct (Castles et al. 2013 [1993]).
The first goal of the conference is to show the multitude of possible uses of the concepts of
border and migration have, their interdisciplinary qualities, and the benefits and problems
associated with their mobility. A second goal is to critically engage borders and migration
with all fours Humanities Utrecht approaches (Linguistics, History, Philosophy and Media) in
order to show the academic, political, historical and geographical situatedness of the
concepts. We intend to open a space for debate in which we rethink the currently
narrow-shaped idiom and its framing. By doing so we hope to be able to move the
discussion forward in a productive and creative way.
Structure
The conference will offer a platform to various academics and MA/PhD students from
differing disciplines within the Humanities who are in any way affiliated with the theme of the
conference. In addition to the two keynote speakers, we plan to invite four more experts from
the Utrecht University itself to lead four panels. These panels give the opportunity to both
experienced and less experienced academics and students to share their work and will allow
for a more focussed debate in each of them. We will advertise a Call For Papers for
researchers to present their work in one of the four panels.
Keynote speakers
For the planned keynotes, we have selected several speakers to approach. A preliminary list
of three scholars relating to both key concepts is provided below.
Panels
The content of the panels will be centered around the texts and subjects provided by the
keynote speakers. A call for papers will be sent out to academics across several disciplines,
and we specifically want MA/PhD-students to participate in the panels. There will be four
speakers per panel and after they all had the chance to speak, we plan to leave half an hour
for further questioning on the broader topic of the panel in which not only the speakers, but
also the chair and other participants may join. The goal of the panels is to bring together
different people with varying expertise and opinions which, hopefully, will result in a fruitful
debate.
Roundtable
At the end of the day, a roundtable will take place to create a platform in which all viewpoints
and approaches of the conference are brought together. For this roundtable we want to
invite the two keynote speakers and the moderators of the four parallel sessions to engage
in a discussion.
Schedule
Braidotti, Rosi. 1994. Nomadic Subjects: Embodiment and Sexual Difference in
Contemporary Feminist Theory. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Castles, Stephen, Hein de Haas, and Mark J. Miller. 2013. The Age of Migration:
International Population Movements in the Modern World. Palgrave Macmillan.
Knapp, Gudrun-Axeli. 2005. “Race, Class, Gender: Reclaiming Baggage in Fast Travelling
Theories.” European Journal of Women’s Studies 12 (3): 249–65.
doi:10.1177/1350506805054267.
Mezzadra, S., and Neilson, B. (2013). Border as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor.
Durham and London: Duke University Press.
Vaughan-Williams, N. (2009). Border Politics. The limits of Sovereign Power. Edinburg
University Press.
Budget