Intersectionality was introduced in 1989 by the legal scholar and Black feminist activist Kimberlee Crenshaw, as a power-critical conceptual and methodological tool to critically analyse the complex and intrinsic forms of structural discrimination, pertinent to the intricate interplay among the social categories of race, gender, class, and sexuality. While its origins lie in the U.S. context, Intersectionality has transcended its geographical boundaries, and found relevance in diverse socio-political contexts around the world, as well as in various academic and artistic disciplines. While there is still not a consensus on the specific analytical levels at which intersectional interactions can be theoretically understood, empirically examined, and politically applied, Intersectionality continues to hold significant value as a conceptual and methodological framework for critically examining the dynamic processes of power, privilege, and domination across different spatial and temporal contexts, as well as a political tool for intervening in those by promoting dialogue, solidarity, agency, and empowerment.

With this awareness and motivation, our conference aims to bring together artists, activists, and scholars, who engage with intersectionality. We want to foster interdisciplinary dialogue to enhance our understanding of Intersectionality and its complexities, contestations, and future directions. We invite submissions of research papers, analytical essays, and creative artworks that address the following questions:

⦁ How can the concept of intersectionality be expanded/transferred to other social-political and interdisciplinary contexts, and what adaptations need to be made? What is understood by intersectional art and activism? When and how can intersectional arts and activism engage intersectionality in different media, contexts, and narratives? How has intersectionality

changed the perception of arts and activism, what significant development and shifts have there been in promoting marginalised voices?
⦁ Which dynamic or different explorative and theoretical approaches are imminent and emergent to the study of intersectionality, arts and activism in recent years? Which levels of categories are focused on in each case? What perspectives, gaps in knowledge and limitations are connected to these approaches? Where are the›construction sites‹and development perspectives of intersectionality research seen?

⦁ Social categories of differences and concepts of social inequality(ies) are products of relations of dominance. There have been diverse debates about how to engage categories: should categories be deconstructed or used as tools for analysis? Which categories are visible

and relevant, and how many categories can be taken into account in a critical investigation, also from which research pragmatic point of view?
⦁ What is the status and position of Intersectionality studies in arts, academia and social mobilisation contexts? Has intersectionality turned from an analytical prism into a common research paradigm that serves as an analytical framework for a specific community? Or are intersectionality studies even on the way to becoming a discipline in its own right? What roles do intersectional arts and activism play in the context of social movements such as BLM? What opportunities and challenges can be derived from collaborations between intersectionality scholars, activists, and artists?

⦁ What is the social-political relevance of intersectionality as a framework for political activism, and what visions for the future are associated with the interrelationship of

intersectionality, arts, and activism? What connections and relationships exist and can be identified between intersectionality, arts and activism, and how they can shape the future of art, academia, work, and social mobilisation.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

An abstract of about 250 words and a short academic CV should be sent by 11.08.2023 to Ruth.Martini(at)uni-bayreuth.de. Creative works can include poetry, visual art pieces, and performance arts, and should be accompanied by a brief bio (one page). Further information can be found on https://www.intersektionalitaetsstudien.uni-bayreuth.de/en/index.html.

We highly value and encourage applications from candidates representing diverse backgrounds. Thus, we offer three scholarships to welcome and encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to contribute their unique perspectives and insights to our conference. Applicants from Global South are eligible to apply for the scholarship of the doctoral college of intersectionality studies that would entail participation at this conference. For further information please contact us by mail.