BAIS Conference September 2015

CALL FOR PAPERS

Hosted by the Centre for Irish Studies
St Marys University, Twickenham, London

Ireland: Agents of Social Transformation

4-5 September 2015
Confirmed Keynotes:
Mary McAleese, Distinguished Visiting Professor, St Marys University 2015-2016
Patrick Lonergan, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Galway
Linda Connolly, Director of the Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century,
University College Cork
Programme commences on Friday evening with keynote and reception followed by
full day of papers and keynotes on Saturday at the Twickenham campus.
Much of the Irish story in the twentieth century was about Irelands transformation
from being a neglected corner of the British Empire to its emergence as one of the
worlds most globalized societies. However, the first decade of the twenty-first
century exposed the country to a world financial crisis in an acute form. The resulting
socio-economic transformation is given greater perspective by considering it over a
longer period, and connecting its manifestations in various other domains from
consumerism to religion, from migration to the mass media. The need for
transformation in Ireland has been generated as much by critiques of institutions such
as the Catholic Church, the political system and other public bodies, such as the health
service, as by the collapse of the Celtic Tiger. Since 2008, emigration has predictably
accelerated again although its character is qualitatively different from previous phases
of outward migration.
This conference takes transformation and agents/agency as key terms that involve
a consideration of fundamental changes in the way Irish society is organised, ruled,
imaged and perceived. Social transformation lies at the radical end of conceptions of
social change and implies fundamental changes in societys core institutions, the
polity, the economy, and cultural production. Papers are invited which engage with the
issue of social transformation across the disciplinary spectrum which, while
acknowledging the political and economic basis of the crisis acknowledge that its
consequences are as much existential as economic, psychological as well as political.
Presentations are welcomed which look to the effects of the crisis on all aspects of
private and public life and their historical contextualisation, recording, realisation and
representation in forms as diverse as music, mass demonstrations, theatre, migration,
membership of the EU and constitutional reform. The multiple manifestations of the
consequences of crisis as Ireland engages with what Fintan OToole termed the hard
task of making a republic.
Proposals for 20 minute papers (no more than 300 words with name and affiliation) or

panel proposals, 3-4 presenters, 500 word rationale + brief bios are all welcome.
Please send to Samantha Walcot, Administrator, Centre for Irish Studies, by Monday
27 April 2015: Samantha.walcot@stmarys.ac.uk..
Twitter @CISLondon