Call for Paper
Theme: Technology, Culture, and African Societies
Date: March 31- April 2, 2023
Email: austinafricac...@gmail.com
The 22nd Annual Africa Conference at the University of Texas at Austin calls for submissions of papers in the humanities, social sciences, sciences, and other disciplines on the kaleidoscopic presence of technology and culture in African societies. The objective of this conference is to encourage conversations rooted in the histories of the African people, with the connection of science and technology to imagine alternate realities and a liberated African future.
Culture is dynamic, and globalization has become an epoch for the constant reinvention of culture that transcends time and space. As globalization continues to spread, more people find themselves across spaces and borders, with their lives structured and oriented by connections to one or several other places. Africa’s rich history is multifaceted and complex, with multiple heritage that cut across centuries and regions. The distinctiveness of each culture is peculiar to their authentic traditional practices and identities, ranging from language to literature, music, visual art, and fashion.
In present-day Africa, globalization paves the way for technology, which has aided the growth, adaptation, and transfer of African cultures worldwide. Artificial intelligence and the web are perhaps the most increasingly emerging technologies that are radically shifting normative paradigms in Africa today. The African continent requires new approaches that respond to the sociopolitical and economic needs of African societies. These approaches will define the future for the cultural, political, economic, and social spheres and on the national, regional, and international levels as they re-imagine a new future for Africa where humanity and technology meet.
Accordingly, we invite proposals for papers, panel presentations, roundtables, and artistic works/performances that critically examine these and other related issues on African history, culture, and its intersection with technology. The conference will allow scholars from various disciplines and geographical locations to interact, exchange ideas, and receive feedback. As in previous years, participants will be drawn from around the world. Graduate students are encouraged to attend and present papers. Submitted papers will be assigned to panels based on similarities in theme, topic, discipline, or geographical focus, and selected papers will be published in a series of book volumes.
We welcome submissions that include but are not limited to the following sub-themes and topics:
· Technology and African Historical Discourses
· Technology and African Literature
· Technology and the African Diaspora
· Cultural Dimensions in Africa and Technology
· Technology and Popular Culture
· Technology and Gender Constructions
· Technology and Environmental Security
· Culture, Urbanization, and Digital Urbanism
· Globalization, Technology, and Identity Formation
· Technology and Education
· Technology, Religions and Ritual Performance
· Technology and Performative Arts
· Visual Arts and Digital Culture
· Technology and Cinema
· Technology and African Fashion
· Technology and Health Sciences
· Cultural Practices, Indigenous Medicine, and Technology
· Technology and Linguistics
· Culture, Technology and New Media
· Technology and Postcolonial/ Postmodern Conditions
· Technology and Decoloniality
· Technology, Politics and Cultural Paradigms
· Festivals, Ceremonies and Technology
· Funeral Technology–Old and New
· Digital Economy for Africa’s Initiative
· Technology, Language, and Rhetoric
· Technology and Archival Studies
· Africa Trade and Technology
· Technology, Geography, and Natural resources
· Technology and Archaeology
· Anthropology and Africa’s Digital Revolution
· Social Mobility in the Digital Age
· Security Technology in Africa
· Technology and Peace and Conflict Resolution
Each proposal must include:
(1) Title of the work and an abstract of 200 words
(2) Name of the presenter (with the surname underlined)
(3) Mailing address
(4) Phone number
(5) Email
(6) Institutional affiliation
(7) Three to five keywords best characterize the themes and topics relevant to your submission.
Participants are expected to follow these guidelines.
Proposals for panels (3-5 presenters) must include:
(1) the title of the panel and a collective summary of 250 words on the panel’s theme, including the title of each individual’s work
(2) a 200-word abstract for each speaker’s presentation
(3) mailing addresses
(4) phone numbers
(5) email addresses
(6) institutional affiliation of each presenter.
Proposals will be accepted on the official conference website (www.utafricaconference.com) and by email: toyin...@austin.utexas.edu (cc: austinafricac...@gmail.com)
from mid-August to mid-December 2022. Participants who require a visa to enter the United States must submit abstracts and register early, as it may take six months to book visa appointments. A mandatory non-refundable registration fee of $150 for scholars and $100 for graduate students must be paid immediately upon the acceptance of the abstract. This in-person conference fee includes a conference t-shirt and bag, admission to the panels, workshops, special events, and transportation to and from the hotel and conference events. Registration also includes breakfast for all three days, dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, a banquet with DJ and an open bar on Saturday evening, and a closing celebration on Sunday.
All participants must have funds to attend the conference, including the registration fee, transportation, and accommodation. The conference and the University of Texas at Austin do not provide any form of sponsorship or financial support. However, the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake will have a special rate for conference participants, and transportation between the hotel and the university is included.
*Events are subject to change in accordance with CDC guidelines and global health and safety concerns. We are currently exploring a possible hybrid model for attendees who may not be able to attend physically due to US travel restrictions. All official updates will be posted on the conference website as soon as they are available.
If you have questions, please contact the conference coordinators via the official email. All correspondence, including submission of abstracts, panel proposals, completed papers, and all kinds of inquiries, must go through the official conference email: austinafricac...@gmail.com
CONFERENCE TEAM
Organizers:
Olayombo Raji-Oyelade, olayom...@utexas.edu
Victor Angbah, van...@utexas.edu
Convener:
Toyin Falola, toyin...@austin.utexas.edu
