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Call for Papers: Spontaneous Memorials: Contemporary perspectives on their sociocultural, psychological and organisational impact

  • Start date: 12th Jun 2025
  • End date: 13th Jun 2025
  • University of Manchester and Online
  • Organiser: Institute for Cultural Practices, University of Manchester
  • Website

The conference aims to explore sociocultural, psychological, curatorial, digital and research methodology dimensions of spontaneous memorials. In particular, it examines the impact that spontaneous memorials have on individuals, communities, organisations and societies. The conference is funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Spontaneous or grassroots memorials (also termed temporary/makeshift memorials/shrines) appear often in the aftermath of tragic events such as disasters, accidents, terrorist attacks and the death of prominent people. They frequently consist of large numbers of flowers, candles, written notes, soft toys, arts and crafts, clothes and other objects. Such memorialisation has also expanded on social and digital media in ways that blend the physical with the virtual.

Spontaneous memorials have been the subject of diverse academic, policy and practice investigations. This includes disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies on spontaneous memorials as: spatial, material and performative expressions of public grief and memorialisation; rituals of gift-giving; social and political action; counter-memory; protest and social justice; and forms of temporary public art. Relevant work includes, also, critical reflections on collecting, documenting and curating spontaneous memorials. Much of this scholarship is included in two key edited volumes, Spontaneous Shrines and the Public Memorialization of Death (edited by Jack Santino, 2006) and Grassroots Memorials. The Politics of Memorializing Traumatic Death (edited by Peter Jan Margry and Cristina Sánchez-Carretero, 2011), as well as more recent monographs, book chapters, journal articles, reports and practical guides.

This conference builds on this body of research and practice and invites contributions from scholars, practitioners, emergency planners and responders and policymakers to ongoing and emerging issues and debates on sociocultural, psychological and organisational impact of spontaneous memorials. We, also, welcome contributions that examine one or more case studies, reflect on lessons learnt and propose recommendations for organisations, communities and individuals.

Submission Guidelines: We invite proposals of 300–500 words for 20-minute presentations (in person or online). Please complete the proposal template and email it to [email protected]

Deadline for Proposals: Monday 25th November 2024