Call for Papers: Exploring Memory and Power – Nordic Conference & Project Finale
Table of Contents
Researchers and scholars are invited to submit abstracts for a conference examining the complex interplay of memory and power, hosted in Denmark and marking the culmination of the Danish council for Independent Research (DFF)-funded project, “Revival of Traumatic Pasts.” The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2026.
The conference, organized by the Memory Studies Association (MSA), provides a crucial forum to investigate how memory shapes understandings of the past, influences present-day politics, and informs future trajectories. It builds upon critical scholarship recognizing memory not merely as recollection, but as a dynamic process shaped by power dynamics – as epistemic legacies (Ndlovu-Gatsheni), a practice of liberation extending to pasts and memories (Yurchuk), and a means of making colonialism “memorable” and inciting change (Rigney).This event is notably timely given ongoing global conversations surrounding ancient injustices, contested narratives, and the role of memory in fostering reconciliation or exacerbating conflict.
Conference Scope & Themes
While inspired by decolonial and postcolonial studies, the conference welcomes contributions addressing a broad spectrum of topics concerning memory and power, encompassing diverse media – education, activism, literature, art, history, and social media – and spanning numerous geographical areas and their transnational connections.A key emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary approaches that reveal cross-fertilization between different fields and sites of memory.
Key Topics Include:
| Topic |
|---|
| Memories as hope in de- and postcolonial studies |
| The role of the non-human in postcolonial studies |
| Interdisciplinary/comparative approaches to memories of power & inequality |
| Methodological considerations: memory studies & decoloniality/postcolonialism |
| Memory activism |
| Transnational impact of Black Lives Matter |
| Academia & memory activism |
| Mnemonic agency in crises |
| Multidirectional memory & postcolonial studies |
| authoritarian regimes’ (mis)uses of memories |
Did You know?
The conference is linked to the European Research Council (ERC)-funded TMSS project,investigating life narratives of violence among refugees across six countries.
Featured Speakers
The conference will feature presentations from leading scholars in the field, including:
- Charles Burdett (University of London)
- Uoldelul Chelati Dirar (University of Macerata)
- Kirsten thisted (University of Copenhagen)
- Karen E. Till (Maynooth university)
- Yuliya Yurchuk (Södertörn University)
Pro Tip:
When crafting your abstract, consider how your work contributes to a broader understanding of the relationship between memory, power, and social justice.
Conference Organizers & Their Expertise
David Mwambari, associate Professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, leads the TMSS project and is the author of Navigating Cultural Memory Commemoration and Narrative in Postgenocide Rwanda
(Oxford University Press, 2023). angelica Pesarini, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, focuses on black Italia
and the dynamics of race, gender, and citizenship, having published Making visible the invisible: Colonial sources and counter body-archives in the boarding schools for Black ”mixed race” Italian children in fascist East Africa
(Routledge, 2022). Naja Dyrendom Graugaard, Associate professor at Copenhagen University, researches colonial relations between Denmark and Kalaallit nunaa, with recent work including Colonial Reproductive Coercion and Control in Kalaallit Nunaat: Racism in Denmark’s IUD Program
(NORA – Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender research, 2025).
What role does memory play in shaping contemporary political discourse, and how can we critically examine the narratives that dominate public understanding of the past? How can interdisciplinary approaches enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between memory and power?
Abstracts of 300 words and a short bio (max 150 words) should be submitted to dm@sdu.dk by March 1, 2026. we look forward to receiving your contributions and fostering a stimulating dialog on these vital issues.
evergreen Context: The Growing Field of Memory Studies
Memory studies has emerged as a significant interdisciplinary field over the past few decades, driven by a growing recognition of the socially constructed nature of memory and its profound impact on individual and collective identities. Initially focused on trauma and commemoration, the field has expanded to encompass a wider range of topics, including the politics of memory, the role of material culture in shaping memory, and the relationship between memory and power. The increasing prevalence of digital media and social media has further complicated the landscape of memory, creating new opportunities for both the preservation and manipulation of the past. The rise of populism and nationalist movements globally has also underscored the importance of critically examining how memory is used to justify political agendas and reinforce social divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary focus of this conference? The conference centers on the intersection of memory and power, welcoming research from diverse disciplines and geographical areas.
- What types of submissions are encouraged? Abstracts are sought for papers addressing a wide range of topics related to memory studies, including decoloniality, activism, and transnational impacts.
- What is the abstract submission deadline? The deadline for submitting abstracts is march 1, 2026.
- Who are the confirmed speakers at the conference? Confirmed speakers include Charles Burdett, Uoldelul Chelati Dirar, Kirsten Thisted, Karen E. Till, and Yuliya Yurchuk.
- Where should I submit my abstract? Abstracts should be sent to dm@sdu.dk.
