If waves mediate nature's clashing forces and bring a kind of order to them, what about the cycles of calm and calamity in human affairs? Waves might be born from agitation, but so are cultural changes: in each case, harmony is made from the echoes of disruption, and a new pattern asserted. And as with revolutions, the ramifications of sudden developments in art and literature flow outwards, diverting existing patterns or joining their rhythms with those of others. So, how do these forms and ideas furnish new possibilities of understanding and new frameworks for disturbance? If our interdisciplinary conference asks a single question, it might be how artistic discourses become instigators of change?

In the coming year, the 9th annual World Literature Student Conference will be seeking submissions that explore how disparate ideas flow into new possibilities, unravelling and reharmonizing the flows of the human condition alongside those of literature, art, and culture. The event takes place in the BALLROOM of the Simon Fraser University STUDENT UNION BUILDING on Burnaby Campus from 4-6PM on Thursday, March 28th 2024, and features some 30 speakers from across our campus giving 3-minute presentations on art, literature, and culture.

This is an interdisciplinary event, and we invite students of all faculties and year levels to submit proposals that encompass literature, translation, cinema, and the image. We encourage different perspectives, including geographic, ideological, post-colonial, linguistic, psychological, or environmental approaches. Submissions from all departments will be treated with equal attention & confidentiality. A completed project is not needed at the time of proposal, only a short abstract or description of 150+ words. Email 

Deadline: February 16th, 2024.

Each speaker will have four to five minutes to present their paper; therefore, the actual papers should be no more than 500–600 words in length. We look forward to reading your interpretations and responses to this year’s theme! See the conference submission portal or email proposals to wlsc_sfu@sfu.ca