New Orleans – Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter – February 15-17, 2024
Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Black media studies stands as one of the most vibrant and vital areas of film and media studies. This conference seeks to bring together scholars working within the area to reflect on the history, present, and future(s) of the field. The hope is to draw in scholars who are emerging and established, working in US and global contexts, applying a variety of methods, and studying every dimension from production to consumption.
Hosted by the Tulane University Department of Communication, the conference will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter in New Orleans from February 15-17, 2024. It will feature lectures by several plenary speakers, including:
André Brock
Racquel J. Gates
Herman Gray
Alfred L. Martin, Jr.
Robin R. Means Coleman
Beretta E. Smith-Shomade
We are confirming additional speakers. Please check back periodically.
The conference also will coincide with the annual Bobby Yan Lecture, which brings a prominent mediamaker to campus to discuss social change and media activism.
We welcome 15-20 minute presentations that engage with Black media studies, broadly defined. Masking will be encouraged, except while presenting or eating.
We sincerely regret that the hotel is unable to support remote participation.
Topics may include but is not limited to:
- theories of and critical frameworks for Black cinema and media
- intersections with feminist studies, queer studies, disability studies, and trans
- studies
- representations and resonances
- historiographies and histories of Black film and media
- archival practice and research
- production cultures and media industry studies
- authorship and auteurism
- narratives and genres
- aesthetics and forms
- distribution histories and practices
- circulation of Black media culture
- exhibition histories
- reception histories and analysis, including moviegoing and television-watching
- social media entertainment and user-generated content
- Black digital spaces and practices
- studies of fans and fandoms
- teaching and pedagogical approaches to Black media culture
Please submit proposals of 250-500 words to this Google form by November 15, 2023. Individuals who wish to attend but not present are encouraged to fill out the form as well, putting N/A where appropriate, so that we have a proper head count.
Acceptances will be made by November 30, and a tentative schedule will be posted soon after.
Conference registration for tenured and tenure-track professors will be $200 and for precariously employed and independent scholars as well as graduate students, it will be $100. Due to catering costs, these rates apply to presenters and non-presenters. Registration costs include continental breakfasts, boxed lunches, and receptions. The conference hotel is also offering a discounted rate of $229/night for participants.
This conference is generously supported by the Maurice L. Silverstein Cinema Studies Lectureship Fund. The organizers would like to thank Ava L’Herisse for her invaluable assistance in planning this event.
Questions may be directed to the conference organizers, Jerome Dent and Pete Kunze, at bmc2024@tulane.edu.