The field of Memory Studies is a vibrant field of scholarly, artistic, and political engagement. Memory Studies generally understands the present’s relation to the past as dynamic, entangled, mobile, and thus prone to constant re-negotiation. The theme of this year’s annual conference, ‘Convergences,’ will guide the MSA Forward Postgraduate Workshop, which will focus on research dedicated to ‘Intersections of Memory.’  

Though all MSA events will be taking place online, the East-Central European context of this year’s conference location – a region fraught with overlapping memories – calls for a more general need to address the growing confluence of the global and the regional, the digital and the analogue, the human and the non-human. We encourage papers that offer theoretical or methodological reflections addressing different layers of mnemonic entanglement.

The MSA Forward workshop is a chance for junior researchers to engage with other scholars in their field, and to receive feedback from established academics across the association. We aim to provide a safe space for engaging and constructive discussions, and provide an opportunity for networking and lasting connections across disciplines.

We welcome papers from PhD candidates dealing with the theme of intersectional memories in its broadest sense. Suggested topics for papers include but are not limited to:

• Practical / Ethical COVID-19 Intersections of Memory

• Historical Intersections of Memory

• Political Discursive Intersections of Memory

• Institutional Intersections of Memory

• Biological / Ecological Intersections of Memory

• Disciplinary Intersections of Memory

MSA Forward will take place online over two days, 1 and 2 July 2021, and will be followed by the main MSA conference. The conference hours will be set in CET, which we will be unable to modify, so please bear this in mind when applying.

We invite proposals for 15-minute presentations. Each paper will be discussed by a senior respondent. Please submit your application (an abstract of between 200 and 300 words, and a short bio) via Google Form (available on our website https://www.memorystudiesassociation.org/conference-warsaw-2021-call-for-papers-msaforward-postgraduate-workshop/) no later than 15 May 2021. You may only submit one application for this edition of MSA Forward. 

Workshop fee: The participants will be asked to purchase a 25 EUR conference fee ticket, which will allow for participation in all conference events (presentations, workshops, masterclasses, keynote speeches etc.).

Additionally, all accepted presenters are required to become members of the MSA for more information on the membership fees and waivers please visit: memorystudiesassociation.org