Writing Back
Language, Identity, Culture, and Difference
An international two-day conference (18-19 May 2014) at Qatar University


Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Professor Terry Eagleton
Professor Robert Young

The Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Qatar University invites you to submit a proposal for our 2014 international conference, “Writing Back,” taking place on 18-19 May 2014. While the term “writing back” invokes traditional post-colonial discourse -- empire writing back to the imperial center -- this conference aims to expand the field of inquiry to address all literature that is, in one way or another, writing back to traditional practices or dominant discourses in literature, culture, and the arts. It aims to explore the construction of historical narratives and to examine history and culture from previously marginalized or overlooked perspectives.
We encourage the widest possible interpretations of the subject, and hope to redefine the term ‘writing back’ to address the complexity of contemporary literature in a global context. Literature written in English by Arabs, Africans, and Indians are of special interest to this conference. The topics to be considered can include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

a. Writing and Language … Writing in Another language
b. Writing and Identity … National / Ethnic / Individual identity
c. Writing and Culture … Writing sub-cultures/Race/Gender
d. Writing and Difference … Theory/Experimentation/New writing

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and should be sent to Dr. Erin Holliday-Karre (eholliday.karre@qu.edu.qa) by 28 February 2014. Email submissions should be sent in Word format only. Successful proposals should present a compelling case for the paper and its relation to the conference topic. We ask that all participants stick to a strict twenty minute time period to allow time for discussion. Please do not send your entire paper now and do not include your personal details on the abstract but rather in a separate cover letter. All papers will be peer-reviewed and evaluated anonymously.

Although the organizer of the conference, the Department of English Literature and Linguistics, Qatar University, does not require any conference registration fees, and will provide participants with food and transportation while in Qatar during the conference, it expects participants to pay for their travel and accommodation.

For any further information please contact:
Erin Holliday-Karre
Assistant Professor of Literature
Department of English Literature & Linguistics
Email: eholliday.karre@qu.edu.qa
Phone: (00974) 4403-4909