CFP: Critical Genealogies Workshop: Practicing Philosophical Critique following Michel Foucault

The Critical Genealogies Workshop provides a space of collaboration and experimentation for scholars who deploy genealogy in order to investigate problematizations, possibilizations, and assemblies of the contemporary. The purpose of the event is to present in-progress genealogical work so as to thematize and reflect on larger questions of research design, strategy, and structure and practical questions about conducting genealogical research.

We seek submissions from scholars from any disciplinary or field background who deploy genealogical methods and practices in their work: previous events have included scholars from Philosophy, Political Science, History, Media Studies, and other backgrounds. Approaching genealogy largely through the lens of Foucault and Nietzsche, we also welcome other genealogical approaches of diverse inspiration. Above all, we endeavor to take seriously Foucault’s challenges to inherited practices of philosophical critique by taking up genealogy to interrogate the history of the present.

The format of the workshop involves pre-circulation of in-progress work. This will be a pre-read event; participants are expected to share their papers by mid-March 2024 and are expected to read papers from other participants prior to arrival. Concurrent sessions will feature paper presentations consisting of two sets of brief commentaries (5 minutes each) followed by group discussion (35-40 minutes). 

Please send an abstract of no more than 750 words in “.pdf” format to [email protected] November 15, 2023. Indicate “Critical Genealogies Workshop submission” in the subject line. Decisions will be conveyed within one month of the deadline. If you require an earlier decision in order to secure funding, please write to Verena Erlenbusch-Anderson ([email protected]) and Colin Koopman ([email protected]).

Logistical information about accommodations & transportation will be provided with program decisions. There will be no registration fees associated with this event, and attendees will need to fund their own travel, lodging, and (most) meals. To facilitate interaction in the evening after sessions, attendees are encouraged to stay at the conference hotel, details of which will be announced with program decisions.

For further information see our website (https://sites.google.com/view/criticalgenealogiesworkshop/home) or contact CGW co-founders Verena Erlenbusch-Anderson ([email protected]) and Colin Koopman ([email protected]).