Conference

From 3 to 5 September 2025, the International Conference Getting Ready for the Present: Engaging with the World and the Planet in Contemporary Dystopian and Speculative Narratives will be held in the halls of the San Giovanni in Monte Complex of the University of Bologna.

In recent years new speculative, dystopian, and (post)apocalyptic narratives have characterised Japanese and Latin American cultural discourse in their multifaceted dialogue with Anglo-American production, as well as their socio-cultural impact on reality as multi/transmedia products that stimulate cultural, social, and political contexts, creating communities and affiliations and inspiring transversal movements, as well as new forms of counter-narratives and public engagement. These narratives are not only experiencing an unprecedented circulation, but have emerged from a restricted field to populate the most diverse artistic and media forms, often achieving a global resonance.

The purpose of this conference is to bring together contributions that can enhance the dialogue between Japanese, Latin American, and Anglo-American productions through mutual contaminations, in a multi/interdisciplinary, and transmedial approach, also in the light of alternative forms of social, cultural, and political resistance and resilience.

The Call for Papers is now open, contributions in English are accepted until 31 March 2025. The notification of acceptance will be sent on 15 May 2025.

For more information you can download the Call from the link below.

Scientific and Organising Committee: Paola Scrolavezza, Edoardo Balletta, Luca Paolo Bruno, Francesco Cattani, Gianluca Coci, Giulia Colelli, Veronica De Pieri, Beatrice Masi, Rita Monticelli, Federica Moscatelli, Marta Olivi, Juan Scassa, Gino Scatasta, Anna Specchio, Valeria Stabile, Roberto Vecchi.