Encounters and Interactions in Language, Literature and Culture
The 2026 edition of Spanning Regions and Disciplines will be hosted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in conjunction with the annual consortium meeting of the European Joint Master’s Programme in English and American Studies.
This year’s theme, “Encounters and Interactions in Language, Literature and Culture”, invites reflection on the relational dimensions of our disciplines — the ways in which meaning is produced through contact, translation and exchange across regions, media and disciplinary boundaries.
The conference will feature two keynote lectures:
- Professor Roberta Maierhofer (University of Graz), “Time Is (Not) On My Side: Time and Temporality as a Cultural, Political, and Social Challenge”.
- Professor Andrew Monnickendam (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), “Examining the Examiners, or, a Brief Inquiry in Three Volumes into Academic Disciplines in 2026”.
We invite students and recent graduates of the Joint Programme and students in literature, linguistics and cultural studies that explore connections, crossings and dialogues between languages, texts and cultures in the English-speaking world and beyond to contribute to the conference with either a paper (20 minutes) or a poster (DIN A0) presentation that addresses the 2026 conference theme “Encounters and Interactions in Language, Literature and Culture”.
Updated deadline for submission of proposals: 06 February 2026
Applicants will be informed of our decision by the end of February 2026.
Format: paper or poster (DIN A0) presentations
Venue: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Please send your proposals (max. 300 words) plus a short bio (max. 200 words) to Dr Cristina Pividori at encounters2026.ejmpeas@gmail.com.