Thinking Things: An Interdisciplinary Discussion on Materiality – 19 December 2024
Date: 19 December 2024
Location: University of Amsterdam, room TBA
Credits: 1/2 ECT
Materiality theory and material culture in archaeology has lately become more and more concerned with interdisciplinarity across disciplines, as well as the relationships between things. The conference seeks to engage with well established theories, such as materiality and semiotics. We also wish to discuss and integrate perhaps more contested approaches, such as phenomenology. Finally, we encourage contact with new, innovative approaches in archaeology pertaining to materiality; namely, post humanism.
The presenters at the conference will discuss a broad range of topics within the realm of materiality. This interdisciplinary approach not only aims to contribute to ongoing discussions in humanities regarding materiality but also holds the potential to inspire new ways of thinking. This could ultimately pave the road for expanding the existing narrative regarding the material world and its significance in the past and present. By combining a diverse range of theoretical frameworks, we aim to find new ways to understand, interpret and engage with the material world and the interactions between objects, people, and their environment.
General schedule
9.30 – 9.45 – Walk-in and welcome
9.45 – 10.30 – Keynote speaker
10.30 – 12.00 – Block 1, 3 presentations
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch break (at your own costs)
13.00 – 14.30 – Block 2, 3 presentations
14.30 – 14.45 – Coffee break
14.45 – 16.30 – Block 3, 2 presentations (see call for papers below)
Call for papers
Given the emergence of new ontologies across social science, humanities and arts disciplines, interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration is important for the development of our respective disciplines. This is why the conference invites junior scholars from different disciplinary fields.
Through presentations, keynote lectures and open discussions, we hope to encourage new understandings and perspectives on materiality and material approaches. Postgraduate researchers from the following fields are particularly invited to participate: Archaeology, Classics, Memory, Heritage studies, Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, Humanities, Arts
Possible topics may include but are not limited to:
- Materiality-based approaches popular across social science disciplines lately; new ontologies, new materialisms, post humanism, Actor Network Theory
- Materiality-based archaeological theories, thinkers and case studies
- Materiality as involved in relationships with emotion, senses, cognition or memory
- Heritage-based approaches that consider materiality and things
- Materiality as something that can or cannot be studied effectively using existing approaches, methodologies etc.
- Academic debates around Materiality and existing approaches, combining approaches within the discipline
- Alternative ways of studying, conceiving and representing material discussions, issues, limitations, possibilities
We invite applications from postgraduate researchers (Masters and PhDs). To be considered for a presentation, please send an email to 2024mmmc@gmail.com with a paper title, an abstract of ca. 300 words, a short bibliography (max 10 titles), and a brief academic biography by 21 November 2024. Applicants will be notified by 25 November 2024. We also invite you to send your proposals for possible conversion into posters. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Apart from presenting, we warmly invite you for an engaging day of enriching discussion, meeting each other and learning. We are pleased to confirm that ARCHON has offered to be a conference patron, allowing your participation to be translated into credits.
Credits: ARCHON members can receive 1 ECT for attending the conference and handing in a reflection report afterwards. ARCHON members can also receive 1 ECT extra for presenting at the conference, by handing in their (Powerpoint) presentation.
