CFP In a Conference Far, Far Away…Traversing Forms of the Folkloric (3/1/2026; New York 5/1/2026)

In a Conference Far, Far Away…Traversing Forms of the Folkloric

deadline for submissions:
March 1, 2026

full name / name of organization:
NYU Comparative Literature Graduate Conference

contact email:
nyufolkloreconference@gmail.com

source: https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2025/12/15/in-a-conference-far-far-away%E2%80%A6traversing-forms-of-the-folkloric

In a Conference Far, Far Away…Traversing Forms of the Folkloric (Graduate Student Conference)



New York University: Friday, May 1, 2026



Since its formation in the nineteenth century, Folklore Studies has been seen as an inherently comparative and interdisciplinary field to the point where some are left wondering whether it would be better housed as a subfield of anthropology, ethnography, or literary studies. Part of the reason for this uncertainty may lie in both the breadth of materials categorized as relating to folklore studies (oral or written folk tales, myths, songs, jokes, articles of clothing, etc.) as well as the longstanding difficulty of defining “folklore” itself.



“In a Conference Far, Far Away,” brings together graduate students to present work that engages with and problematizes the category of folklore. We invite graduate students (MA, MFA, and PhD) to submit proposals for 15-20 minute presentations that explore and critically reflect on the myriad dimensions of the folkloric.



Organized by NYU’s Comparative Literature Department, with the aim of fostering interdisciplinary conversations, we welcome submissions from a variety of fields and disciplines. Topics may include, but are not limited to:


Memory

Oral history and embodied history

Speculative fiction (horror, fantasy, science fiction, apocalypse, etc.)

Mythos, magic, and fairy tales

Revolution

Repression of folklore

Adaptation, repetition, and appropriation

Material cultures

Museum studies

Religion

Ritual and performance

Musicology

Nostalgia

Nationalism

Eco-criticism



Please submit an abstract of 250 words and a short bio of 100 words to nyufolkloreconference@gmail.com by March 1, 2026.

Participants will be notified by April 1, 2026. We look forward to reading your proposals.



Last updated December 18, 2025