Summary
HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia (AIDS–SEA) is an interdisciplinary and intercultural colloquium that will explore the diverse processes by which HIV/AIDS is constructed as a cultural phenomenon. This colloquium is interested in the ways in which cultural texts in Southeast Asia represent, negotiate, and mediate the epidemic by creating meanings impacting health, illness, sexuality, and identity politics. How is HIV/AIDS represented in film, television, photography, music, literature, the visual arts, performance, and other cultural texts? How do the practices of HIV/AIDS volunteers, PLHIVA support groups, and other community-based organizations mediate both popular and scientific understandings of selfhood and belonging? How do cultural texts and practices (re)define the lifeworlds that shape the epidemic?
This colloquium aims to bring together academics from different disciplinary backgrounds with the aim of developing a network of scholars working in this area. It is hoped that this colloquium will be followed by further academic meetings and colloquiums which will also draw in artists, activists and interested organizations.
Format
The colloquium will present 2 keynote speakers and up to 20 papers on various topics related to the colloquium theme. There will be no break-out sessions. Authors of selected papers from the CFP will give 15 minute summaries of their work after which an open discussion will follow. This format will ensure that participants can participate in an informal yet inclusive atmosphere and get maximum feedback from one another. Similar thematic strands can be grouped together and members of the strand can take turns leading discussions of pre-circulated papers.
Call for Abstracts
Proposals for presentations should include a title, an abstract (max. 300 words), institutional affiliation, a bio sketch (max. 100 words), and contact information. The abstracts will need to be written in English. Topics include
- Uses of queer theory and other theories in cultural analyses of HIV/AIDS
- Postcolonial readings of the pathologization of sexuality
- Erasure of marginalized communities from HIV/ AIDS discourse
- Cultural critiques of the biomedicalization of society
- The roles of technology and social media
- Local practices and globalized social movements
- Role of religion in the cultural construction of HIV/Aids
Bursaries
Speakers are encouraged to seek funding from their own institutions, but bursaries are available for travel and accommodation for participants coming from Southeast Asia. For queries about this and regarding the colloquium in general, please send an email to hivcolloquium2018@gmail.com
(Photo credit: Jovi Juan, 2017)
Organiser: SOAS Centre of South East Asian Studies, Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) University of the Philippines, Diliman
Contact email: hivcolloquium2018@
