‘Speculative Fiction and Criticism in Precarious Times’ is a conference celebrating a rich network of postgraduate research students working with speculative fiction and criticism across the United Kingdom. Taking place on Friday 18th September at Lancaster University, the conference will feature an array of diverse papers along with a plenary lecture (tbc) and a roundtable discussion from world-leading academics including Dr. Anna McFarlane, Dr Chloe Wake, Dr Xavier Aldana-Reyes and Dr. Oliver Langmead. This event is proudly funded by the NWCDTP Cohort Development Fund.

Speculation has long been associated with the study of arts and humanities. We invite papers that consider how fiction and criticism can speculate about the precarious times that we live in. Particularly, academics across the world face insecurity and instability within their institutions due to systemic discrediting of the arts and humanities. We ask our speakers to consider how the practice of speculation can respond to experiences of precarity, and what potential it has for finding a way through.

The CfP is currently open to (only) PGR students!