Association of Adaptation Studies Conference

7-9 June 2023, School of EDACS, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

In the last few years, there has been a number of discussions around authenticity in our cultural narratives: who can play what role? Who can write a particular story? These have come from both audiences and the larger film and literature industry, underpinned by the idea of authenticity. Some audiences seek out stories that are authentic, either through their writing or how they are represented. This question of authenticity has implications for the thinking in adaptation studies, which this conference will address.

Here are some suggested areas for potential abstracts:

  • What makes an adaptation authentic?
  • Reframing/reclaiming a story through adaptation
  • Adapting to different bodies – the importance of the actor in adaptation
  • The value of authenticity in culture
  • Authenticity vs fidelity
  • Authentic authorship in adaptation
  • Cultural authenticity and the use of adaptation
  • The politics of authenticity
  • Divisions between authenticity and originality

We welcome proposals for individual papers, round-table discussions or panels, including practice-oriented submissions.

Abstracts of 250 words and a brief biographical note of 150 words should be sent to Christina Wilkins and Andrew Watts at aas2023@contacts.bham.ac.uk by no later than 9th December 2022Responses will be sent no later than 20th January 2023.

You do not need to be a member of AAS to submit a conference proposal, but you must be a paid-up member in order to attend the conference or to be included on the final programme. For information about joining AAS, see http://www.adaptation.uk.com/join-the-association

There are also bursaries available for PGRs: please see the AAS website for more details: https://www.adaptation.uk.com/cfp-2023-aas-annual-conference/