“Johnson-Reed 100 Years Later”:
Critical Reflections on the Global Legacy of US Immigration Quotas, 1924-2024


This international conference is organized by the Institute of English and American Studies at the University of Debrecen, Hungary in partnership with the American Hungarian Educators Association to mark the 100th Anniversary of the US Immigration Act of 1924.

Date: August 22-23, 2024
Venue: Debrecen, Hungary, Main Building of the University of Debrecen

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Johnson-Reed Act, we are delighted to invite scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to participate in an international conference that critically reflects on the perceptions and impact of the US Immigration Act of 1924 and other restrictive measures of the time on global migration trajectories and policy. More broadly, this interdisciplinary conference aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of migration and its complex interactions with history, literature, cultural studies, film studies, inter-American studies, and various other academic fields. We encourage submissions that offer innovative insights, historical analysis, and contemporary interpretations of the implications of migration and immigration restriction in shaping societies, cultures, and identities.

The conference will be held in person with an opportunity for participants joining from outside Hungary to present in hybrid sessions.

Confirmed plenary speakers:

Ashley Johnson Bavery, Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University, USA
Anna A. Mazurkiewicz, Associate Professor, University of Gdansk, Poland
Mónika Szente-Varga, Associate Professor, Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary
We welcome proposals that delve into a wide range of topics related to the US immigration quotas introduced in 1921 and 1924, and in more general the reasons for and impact of immigration restriction, including but not limited to:

Historical analysis of the Johnson-Reed Act and its implications for immigration to the United States
Impact of the American regulations on other countries in the Americas
The role of the Johnson-Reed Act in shaping European migration trajectories
Immigration to the Americas from Central and Eastern Europe after 1924
The interplay between immigration quotas and notions of identity, race, and ethnicity
Comparative approaches to the history of immigration and immigration restriction in the Americas and Europe
Intended and unintended consequences of immigration restriction
Cultural products (e.g., art, music, theater) reflecting on immigration and/or immigration restriction; literary and filmic representations of the migration experience
The role of film in shaping public perceptions of immigration and migration policies
Human rights perspectives on immigration quotas and their effects on vulnerable populations
The influence of immigration quotas on transnational communities and diasporas
Evaluations of American immigration policy and reforms
We invite proposals for:

Individual (20-minute) papers focusing on specific research topics, case studies, or theoretical perspectives related to the conference theme
Work-in-progress presentations by PhD students (10 minutes)
Themed panels of three papers addressing a cohesive topic related to the conference theme
Roundtable discussions
Submission guidelines: Submit your abstracts with a brief bio on the following website under ‘Abstract submission’: https://konferencia.unideb.hu/en/JohnsonReed100

Abstract: Provide a structured abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the key points, methodologies, and their relevance to the conference theme.
Presenter's information: Include the presenter's name, institutional affiliation (if applicable), email address, and a brief biography of up to 150 words.
Important dates:

Proposal submission deadline: January 12, 2024
Notification of acceptance: January 26, 2024
Registration deadline: February 29, 2024
All participants, including presenters and attendees, are required to register in advance.
Registration fees:

Registration fee: EUR 40
For students: EUR 20
Details on the registration process and payment will be provided at a later date.
The Friday night reception is sponsored by Fulbright Hungary.
An optional conference trip to the Museum of Emigration from Slovakia to North America or to Budapest (the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum in Szentendre) will be organized for August 24 (Saturday).
Publication Opportunities:

Selected conference papers will be considered for publication in a special edition of the peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies and/or Hungarian Cultural Studies, and in a peer-reviewed volume of essays to be published by an international publisher (currently under negotiation).
Additional information regarding submission guidelines and timelines will be provided later.
Contact information: for inquiries and further information, please contact Balázs Venkovits – Associate Professor, Institute of English and American Studies, University of Debrecen (venkovits.balazs@arts.unideb.hu )

We look forward to welcoming you to the conference!

Conference organizers:

Dr. Balázs Venkovits (University of Debrecen, Hungary)
Dr. Zsuzsanna Lénárt-Muszka (University of Debrecen, Hungary)
Dr. Helga Lenart-Cheng (Saint Mary's College of California, USA)