Feminist philosophy: Time, history and the transformation of thought is an international platform for inquiries in feminist philosophy and the history of ideas. The network aims to create a space for critical feminist practices of reading. We want to develop and draw connections between philosophy and feminist theory, informed by historical perspectives. How can feminism revitalize philosophy and interpretations of its history? What would a philosophical feminism look like? What does it mean to read feminist theory historically?

From 2017 to 2019, we will organize six conferences on different themes in feminist philosophy. Our next event:

CfP Feminist Philosophy and Political Life, Estonia, 24 July – 4 August 2019

Feminist philosophy and political life

Nordic Summer University

Haapsalu, Estonia, 28 July – 4 August 2019

Application deadline 1 May 2019

Keynote speakers:

Professor Naomi Scheman, a pioneer in philosophy, gender and sexuality studies.  

Professor Anna Reading, a specialist in memory studies, gender and human rights.

Scholars, students, artists and activists are invited to participate in the sixth and final conference of the network Feminist Philosophy: Time, history and the transformation of thought (2017-2019), to be held on the Baltic sea shore in Haapsalu, Estonia, from 28 July to 4 August 2019. The theme for our meeting is feminist philosophy and political life. In formulating this theme we seek to explore the relationship between intellectual life and feminist practice broadly speaking. Political philosopher Wendy Brown talks of a “productive tension” or an interval between the two, where the purpose of theory is open up possibilities in relation to politics, which in this context tends to be construed as a fixing of political discourse.Thinkers such as Adriana Cavarero and Linda Zerilli rather build on the philosophy of Hannah Arendt and Ludwig Wittgenstein, for whom the classical definition of theory as separate from the ordinary and political realms requires a reformulation. For Arendt, the political is the sphere of action, where “nothing happens more frequently than the unexpected”. Between these two visions, we wantto ask questions about the relationship between thinking and politics in feminism. What is the relationship between intellectual and political life? What notion of theory should inform feminist political practice? What are the politics of theory?

During the summer session we will have a whole week at our disposal, which opens up for an intimate environment for learning and discussion between people from different countries, universities, disciplines and traditions. All participants are invited to present papers, organize workshops, film screenings or similar activities. PhD candidates receive 5 ECTS for the presentation of a paper and full participation during the week.

In addition, several text seminars will be conducted during the session in Estonia. One workshop will be devoted to the theme “The Politics of Cultivation and Philosophy as an Art of Memory”, with texts by Adriana Cavarero, Joan Copjec and Jacques Rancière. One evening is dedicated to a symposium ancient style (with wine, outdoors) where we read a play from Ancient Greece together (which one will be announced later on).

About the network

Feminist philosophy: Time, history and the transformation of thought is an international platform for inquiries at the intersection between philosophy, history of ideas, and feminist theory. The meeting in Estonia is the sixth meeting out of a total of six conferences from 2017 to 2019. The network has previously collaborated with the Umeå University (SE), the University of Iceland (IS), Oslo University (NO), and Södertörn University (SE). Altogether the activities of the network have attracted more than 180 participants from five continents. The network aims to transcend the hierarchies of academia and is open to senior scholars, PhD-candidates, and master students.

Practical information

The summer session takes place on the Baltic sea shore in Haapsalu, Estonia, 28 July to 4 August 2019. It is organized together with the other eight thematic networks of the Nordic Summer University (see below). The total number of participants is expected to be around 150-200. Feminist philosophy will have its own separate program, but as a participant you will have the opportunity to visit and partake in the work of the other networks. There will also be a cultural program in the evenings and a chance to go on excursions in Estonia. There will be a children’s circle during the academic work sessions, which allows for parents to bring their children with them. Further information about accommodation and prices is available on the website of NSU.

Participation – deadline 1 May

Anyone interested in presenting a paper or organizing a workshop is invited to submit an abstract of approximately 300 words and a short bio to feministphilosophy@nsuweb.org no later than 1 May 2019. If you wish to participate without presenting a paper, please write 50- 100 words about yourself and submit by the same date. Decisions will be communicated in the beginning of May, together with further information on how to register. We will be able to accept late applications; contact us if deadline has passed.

Scholarships – deadline 1 May

NSU offers a scholarship program to support PhD and MA students or people with low income or special needs. In return scholarship recipients are asked to help the Arrangement committee for a few hours during the week. Tasks may include taking care of some light practical work or contributing to a blog about the overall experience of the week.

Scholarship recipients will pay €80 + travelling expenses; grant holders will pay €100 + travelling expenses. Full board is included. The arrangement committee also offers extra travel funding for three participating students from Greenland (1 student), Faroe Islands (1 student) and any Baltic state (1 student) to cover their travel expenses to and from Latvia.

The application for scholarships and extra travel funding should be submitted to feministphilosophy@nsuweb.org and to the leader of the Arrangement committee: arrkom@nsuweb.org by 1 May 2019.

CfP Feminist Philosophy and Political Life, Estonia, 24 July – 4 August 2019

Coordinators

The coordinators of Feminist Philosophy are Synne Myreböe, Department of historical, philosophical and religious studies, Umeå University, Sweden, Valgerður Pálmadóttir, Department of historical, philosophical and religious studies at Umeå University, Sweden, and Johanna Sjöstedt, Department of literature, history of ideas and religious studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Contact the coordinators at feministphilosophy@nsuweb.org  and join our Facebook group Feminist philosophy (NSU).

Archive

CfP Feminist Philosophy and the Presence of the Past, Södertörn 18-20 March 2019

CfP Feminist Philosophy, Fårö 2018

Preliminary list of participants and papers Fårö 2018

Feminist Philosophy- Rethinking Public Space, Oslo University, 8-10 March 2018

Prel. program feminist philosophy summer 17

Feminist Utopias abstract and program, University of Iceland, 30 March – 2 April 2017.

Feminist Philosophy Time & History Umeå University 15-17 March 2016