Call for Papers
Voices and Silences: 50 years of the Society for Romanian Studies
29-31 May 2025
Faculty of European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
The 2025 Triennial Conference of the SRS in Cluj-Napoca will mark 50 years since the creation of the Society for Romanian Studies. This moment in the life of the society calls us to celebrate the achievements and advances in Romanian studies of the past five decades but also for critical reflection on the purpose and contribution of Romanian Studies in a rapidly changing academic and intellectual context. On the occasion of this important gathering we also take the opportunity to imagine a Romanian studies of the future, and indeed imagine the Romania and Moldova of 2075!
The conference theme aims to encourage a critical engagement with and deconstruction of dominant narratives of identity, history and culture whilst embracing alternative perspectives and voices heretofore considered marginal to Romanian Studies. Amongst other questions, Voices and Silences invites reflection on
- the grounding of scholarship in a nation state framework, and how this amplifies certain voices, and silences or mutes others
- the spaces, people, communities, minorities, diasporas and mobilities within and across borders that are underrepresented in contemporary Romanian studies
- the voices and silences of non-human or other than human actors in the environment, literature, culture and religions in Romania, Moldova and beyond
- the place and purpose of Romanian studies in Romania and in a globalized and deeply unequal academic ecosystem where the humanities and social sciences are increasingly under threat
- the legacy and future pathways of Romanian studies in this unique moment when regional and area studies are grappling with global challenges including war, decolonization, resurgent populist nationalism, climate change, AI and hypermodernity
- the polyphony that is Romanian studies and the opportunities for inter- and transdisciplinary conversations and collaborations
- the significance and impact of recent theoretical and methodological advances across disciplines for the future of Romanian studies
We invite proposals for the following formats:
- Pre-arranged panels (only in English) with three or four papers, a chair and a discussant (optional)
- Submissions should include panel title, panel outline (200 words), individual paper titles and abstracts (200-300 words) and the names, institutional affiliations (if any) and short bios (max 80 words) and email addresses of all panel participants.
- Individual Papers (only in English) pertinent to any area of Romanian Studies
- Submissions should include the name, institutional affiliation (if any), short bio (max 80 words), title and 200-300 word abstract, five keywords plus contact email address.
- Roundtables (only in English) are invited on topics relevant to the Call
- Submissions should include Roundtable title and outline (200 words) plus the name and institutional affiliation (if any), email addresses and short bios of all roundtable panellists and name and contact details of the Chair/Convenor
- Book launches for recent publications and translations (2022-25). Book launches can be conducted in any combination of Romanian, Hungarian and/or English languages.
- title and outline (200 words) plus the name and institutional affiliation (if any) and short bio of all book launch panellists. and name of the Chair/Convenor.
- Film screenings followed by panel discussions of recent films or documentaries conducted in any combination of Romanian, Hungarian and/or English languages (2022-25).
- title of the film to be screened and outline (200 words) plus the name and institutional affiliation (if any) and short bio of all film discussion panellists and name and contact details of the Chair/Convenor
- Poetry, prose and translation readings conducted in any combination of Romanian, Hungarian and/or English languages
- title and outline (200 words) plus the name and institutional affiliation (if any) and short bio of participants and name and contact details of the Chair/Convenor
- Other creative and non-traditional responses to the Call theme are welcome in any combination of Romanian, Hungarian and/or English languages
- Please email us with your detailed proposal.
The main conference language is English – please submit all proposals in English and if you would like to hold your session in Romanian and/or Hungarian please specify in your proposal and the Scientific Committee will liaise with you individually regarding any necessary practical considerations
Conference registration fees include an Individual Membership to the SRS for 2025 and an electronic subscription to the Journal of Romanian Studies for 2025.
Deadline for Submissions by Friday 25th October 2024
Participants will be informed by February 1st 2025
Submissions should be made via email to srscluj2025@gmail.com
Confirmed Partners Institutions and Centres
