CFP: “Victorian Knowing and Looking”
MIVSS 11th January 2013,University ofLincoln (approx. 11.30-5pm; details tbc)
Plenary Speaker: Dr Gowan Dawson, University of Leicester:
‘Paleontology and Pestalozzi at the Palace: Dinosaurs, the Sydenham Crystal Palace and Victorian Visual Education’
The next Midlands Interdisciplinary Victorian Studies Seminar, hosted by theUniversityofLincoln, will explore Victorian ways of knowing, looking, and seeing. We seek papers that address these themes from various disciplinary and multi-disciplinary perspectives. Topics could include, but are not limited to, the following:
– ways of reaching knowledge: scientific, poetic, artistic, archaeological, visionary etc.
– Dioramas, Panoramas, peep-shows, public spectacles
– the sociological gaze; ‘knowing’ and observing the poor
– taxonomies of knowledge
– interpretive perspectives, viewpoint, modes of perception
– forensic science, using evidence
– spiritualism, ghost-seers, prophecy
– the uses of knowledge
– visual aesthetics; theatrical and performative ways of looking
Please send ideas for papers of 20 minutes length to Rebecca Styler (rstyler@lincoln.ac.uk) and Kate Hill (khill@lincoln.ac.uk) by/on Friday November 30th. This is an informal event and we do not require full conference-type proposals – and please do not exceed 250 words. You do not have to live or work in theMidlands, but preference may be given to those who do.
As usual, travel bursaries will be available to postgraduate students on a first come first served basis – there will be 5 bursaries of £20, though if there is not much uptake we may be able to provide more help with travel costs to individuals. Please contact Kate Hill (khill@lincoln.ac.uk) if you are interested in applying for a travel bursary.
MIVSS is supported by the British Association for Victorian Studies.
