CFP: APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy

CALL FOR PAPERS

The American Philosophical Association Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy

Spring 2021 Issue

Outsiders Within: Reflections on Being a Low-Income and/or First-Generation Philosopher

The APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy invites submissions for a special issue reflecting upon the experiences of philosophers who come from a first-generation and/or low-income background. The goal of this issue is to give voice to, and to raise broader awareness of, experiences of those philosophers who identify as first-generation and/or low-income, and how those experiences, particularly when compiled with additional intersectional experiences of oppression and/or disadvantage, pose unique barriers to entering and remaining in the profession. Despite the recent increase in attention given to diversity and inclusion initiatives in academic philosophy, class-related issues are too often overlooked and undertheorized. This issue of the Newsletter hopes to open up dialogue around these issues, by carving out a space for individuals in different stages of the profession to share their experiences as philosophers who come from poverty, identify as  low-income, or are a first-generation university student. We additionally hope to provide an outlet for educators and mentors to share their experiences, methods, and approaches to teaching and supporting philosophers from these backgrounds.

Some of the questions we hope to engage with in the issue include the following:

How do philosophers who are the first in their families to attend university learn to navigate the academic lifestyle? How do low-income and first-generation philosophers deal with the sense of doublealienation, both in academic spaces and when they return to their families or first homes? How does class intersect with other underrepresented identities to further marginalize certain philosophers in the field? Have class and socioeconomic status been adequately theorized by philosophers? Are low-income and/or first-generation students encouraged to pursue philosophy by their families, mentors, or professors? And are they adequately supported if/when they decide to do so? What unique challenges arise for graduate students or junior members of the profession who come from low-income and/or first-generation backgrounds?

Invited papers by the following philosophers will appear in the issue:

• Jennifer Morton (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
• Briana Toole (Claremont McKenna College)
• Danielle Wylie (Mississippi State University)

The APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy invites papers, book reviews, and narratives for the Spring 2021 issue that include, but are not limited to the following topics:

• Alienation
• Stereotype Threat and Overcoming Stereotypes
• Impostor Syndrome
• Code Switching across Academic and Non-Academic (Familial or Home) Life
• Researching Socioeconomic Status and Class
• Intersectionality and Class Struggle
• Class Bias
• Race & Class, Gender & Class, Sexual Orientation & Class, Disability & Class
• Immigration and First-Generation Status and/or Class struggle
• Deciding to Pursue Philosophy While Poor
• Financial Obstacles to Pursuing Graduate Study and Academic Employment
• Moving for Academic Study and/or Employment as a Low-Income Philosopher
• Conferences as Exclusionary for Low-Income and/or First-Generation Philosophers
• Navigating Academic Elitism and Classism as a Low-Income and/or First-Generation Philosopher
• Learning the Norms of Academic Spaces (Social, Linguistic, Behavioral, etc.)
• Hidden Curriculum, Unspoken Conventions, and Implicit Expectations
• Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
• Strategies for Building Support and Community
• Mentoring Low-Income and/or First-Generation Students
• Organizing and Outreach

SUBMISSION DETAILS

The APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy welcomes three different types of submissions:

1. Papers: philosophical papers should be no longer than 4000 words (including references and footnotes).
2. Book reviews: The newsletter will publish reviews of books with feminist content. The length should be between 1500-2500 words. Review books need not be related to the topic of the special issue. Reviewers must have specific expertise on the subject of the text. The format of book reviews is as follows. They should begin with a brief description of the book as a whole, should contextualize the book within the relevant literature, and should develop a critical evaluation of at least some of the main themes and arguments. Evaluative comments should be specific, instructive, and respectful of diverse philosophical methods and voices.  If you are interested in reviewing a book for the Newsletter, please send a C.V. and a brief explanation of your particular interest in and qualifications for reviewing the chosen text to the following address: [email protected]. If you do not own the book, I will request a copy from the publisher. Deadlines for reviews are negotiable.
3. Narrative essays: We also invite shorter narrative style essays of around 3500 words in length. These essays should be less formal than standard philosophical papers and can discuss issues and problems related to the stated themes of this special issue.

The format for all submissions to the Newsletter is available on the APA website:

http://www.apaonline.org/?feminism_newsletter

Submissions should be prepared for anonymous review.

Deadline for submission is: September 15th, 2020

Send submissions and all inquiries to: [email protected]

Arianna Falbo (Brown University) and Heather Stewart (Western University)

Guest Editors, Special Issue: APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy