New Zealand Studies Network (UK and Ireland) Inaugural Conference - New Zealand’s Cultures: Sources, Histories, Futures

New Zealand Studies Network (UK and Ireland) Inaugural Conference - New Zealand’s Cultures: Sources, Histories, Futures

 

Hosts: Birkbeck, University of London and the University of Northampton


Friday 6 July to Saturday 7 July 2012 at Birkbeck, University of London

 

This conference aims to examine the ‘making of New Zealanders’ in the past, present and future. It will focus on New Zealand and its many different cultures, exploring their origins, historical sources and influences, contemporary changes and future developments. It aims to embrace as many as possible of the disciplinary fields within the humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences.

 

We anticipate that the cultures that will be explored will include not only the more obvious national, ethnic and religious ones, but the practices and mindsets of governmental, professional, business, educational, religious and sporting subcultures, and of cultures found in other daily occupations and interests, such as eating, drinking and entertainment.

 

We are interested in how elements of national culture have been imported from the Pacific, the UK, the USA, Europe and Australia, and how they have been exported through migration, disapora, and the media. We welcome proposals that approach New Zealand’s cultures from alternative, ‘outsider’ perspectives, and those that consider whether or not New Zealand's cultures exhibit any remarkable ‘exceptionalism’ .

 

Topics might well be located in or refer to one or more of the following categories of culture:

•  National
• Local
• Political
• Ethnic
• Immigrant/diasporic/minority
• Professional
• Business
• Creative Arts
• Gastronomic
• Sporting
• Historical / critical writing
• Environmental
• Religion

Keynote speakers: Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas; Hugh Lauder (Professor of Education and Political Economy, University of Bath). Others to be confirmed.

 

In the evening of 6th July, will be the launch of the 25 New Zealand Poets for the UK Poetry Archive 2011, with Directors, Sir Andrew Motion and Richard Carrington, Co-ordinating Director Jan Kemp, and readings by some of the poets.

 

Abstracts: for 20 minute papers of c 250 words plus brief biosketch by 31 March to info.nzsn@gmail.com Intending delegates should be current members of the NZSN. For details of how to join see the NZSN website at http://www.nzstudies.com/. The website will post regular updates of the conference, including accommodation, registration fees etc.

 

For any queries write to the convenors, Professor Janet Wilson at janet.wilson@northampton.ac.uk and Andrew Sharp at a.sharp@auckland.ac.nz