CFP: Oral History & Identity

The Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) is pleased to announce its 2024 conference on the theme of Oral History and Identity. The conference will be held 21-22 June 2024 at Ulster University (Derry ~ Londonderry Campus). CFP deadline extended to Friday 5 April 2024. Details are below and on the OHNI website.

Recognising the pivotal role identity plays in shaping individual and collective narratives, this conference seeks to explore the range of ways that competing and complementary identities intersect through oral history. Identity is at the heart of oral history, as interviewees weave personal and collective narratives that shape our (and their) understandings of the past, sense of self and relationship to others. The interview offers an opportunity for people to consider their own complex identities and how that has shaped their experiences and memories. This conference will explore the complexities of identity uncovered through the oral history process and to consider how our identities as interviewers shape our oral history collecting and analysis.

Call for Papers

Conference contributions are welcome in a range of formats:

  • Standard conference papers (20 minutes)
  • 10-minute presentations for our ‘Moments’ panels, focusing on outstanding or memorable individuals, experiences, and/or incidents that influenced or changed the way the presenter practices oral history. Contributions showcasing new projects on the conference theme at an early stage of development are also welcome here.
  • Posters and visual presentations

We welcome proposals on any topic related to oral history, particularly those that take an imaginative approach to the conference theme of ‘Oral History and Identity’. Potential topics could include (but are not limited to):

  • Individual identity and personal narratives
  • Social / collective identities
  • Intersections of identity (e.g. gender, social class, ethnicity, disability, etc.)
  • Identity and the interviewer-interviewee relationship
  • Identity, inclusion and exclusion
  • Place and identity
  • Identity, ethnicity and/or nationality
  • Diasporic and transnational identities
  • Identity politics 
  • Evolving and transforming identities
  • Diverse and minority identities
  • Identity, conflict and post-conflict
  • Complicating Identity 

To participate, please submit an abstract (of not more than 250 words) along with your contact details using this form by no later than Friday 5th April 2024 at 5pm. All proposals must demonstrate a clear engagement with oral history and/or personal testimony, and we actively encourage the use of audio and/or video clips. The conference committee’s decision on successful abstracts will be communicated to potential presenters by mid-April 2024.

Registration for the conference and further information will shortly be posted on the conference page of our website.

Please note: This conference is in-person only.

For further details or queries please email info@oralhistorynetworkireland.ie

Loading Viewer…