The “Becoming Crisis” of Critical Studies and Praxis
The 2012 SESE Conference – Saturday, April 21, 2012
In a post 9/11 world where dissent is actively and continuously shut down and the
U.S. has declared war on embodied difference worldwide, what does critical
engagement as scholars, activists, and artists mean? How and why does it matter in
a world where death, injury, danger, poverty and destitution are still regularly
enacted on bodies that are ‘different’? Academic scholarship, political engagement
and provocative artistic endeavors must take seriously critiques emanating from the
public about their relevance in such a world. As boundaries continue to be drawn
between theory and practice, between the myriad academic disciplines concerned
with equity, and between activist communities, how might the notion of a ‘becoming
crisis’ be engaged by critical studies and praxis in order to refashion scholarship in
ways that create more relevant understandings of what it means to be human
alongside more viable life-practices.
This year’s SESE Conference theme focuses on the “Becoming Crisis” in critical
work– the existential question of “Why are we here?” and perhaps more
importantly, “To what end?” Submissions in a variety of formats and a wide range of
disciplines are encouraged. The theme is an invitation toward reflection and
interrogation of critical practices in order to challenge the ongoing, global and
globalizing war on embodied difference and the enduring privileging of the 1%.
Questions that animate the conference theme include, but are not limited to:
• How does the work produced by the academy both foster and challenge
current power relations; how do “we” reinforce present reality yet still push
toward something different?
• How is critical race studies and/or anti-racism raising the question of human
in new ways? How can conceptions of the limits of viable life (i.e., disability,
the subaltern) imposed through dominant political, social and knowledge
practices be challenged?
• How can the notion of a becoming crisis in critical work help think about our
practices, alongside the animosities between approaches, disciplines and
practices differently?
• What are the dangers of the increasing institutionalization of radical social
and political movements into the academy – anti-racist, post-colonialism,
feminisms, Aboriginal, queer and disability studies, etc.?
• What does it mean to be human?
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:
• Paper presentations: Individual paper presentations will be organized into a
panel of three, related by topic area and assigned a moderator.
1 Titchkosky, 2011 (http://blog.fedcan.ca/2011/08/11/the-becoming-crisis-of-disability-studies2/#more-1763).
• Panels: Panels may be pre-constituted and include 3-4 individuals including a
moderator, plus a possible discussant.
• Poster: Posters will display on-going research, service, advocacy, or activist
projects.
• Workshop: A facilitated activity involving 3 or more presenters.
• Facilitated Discussion: Discussion with a set topic and a moderator.
• Artistic work (in all senses of the arts): Critical artistic work that addresses
the theme in a range of media is welcome. Keep in mind you will be working
in a classroom space unless alternative space is pre-arranged with the
organizers.

Please submit an abstract of no more than 200 words to conferencesese@gmail.com
by February 29, 2012. Panel proposals require an abstract describing both the panel
and the individual papers. For discussions, describe how the time will be utilized
and the topic facilitated. Workshop presenters should address methodology,
pedagogy, and desired learning outcomes in their submission. Artists must connect
their work to the conference theme and briefly describe the optimal setting for their
work. Approximately fifteen minutes will be allotted for papers and presentations.
Please note in your submission if more time is required.
Papers will be selected through anonymous peer review. Please observe the
following procedures to enable the review process:
1) Attach a short biographical note of 50 words on a separate page.
2) Please include your name, institution, abstract, title of session, list of
participants (if applicable), and e-mail with your submission.
3) Please include a short statement of 50 words describing how access (see
attached guidelines) will be addressed in your presentation.
4) Do not include your name on the same page as the abstract.
5) Type “abstract” in the subject line of your email.

All welcome! Information on accessibility and accommodation:
patricia.douglas@utoronto.ca.
Papers may be given in English or French, with citations in any language.

All questions can be addressed to the conference co-chairs:
Juliet Hess
Patty Douglas
Nikoletta Papadopoulos