World Literatures Student Conference
SFU'S LARGEST UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT-LED CONFERENCE
World Literature Student Conference (WLSC)
Welcome to the World Literature Student Conference, the biggest annual academic gathering hosted by undergraduate students at SFU. Since its inception in 2014, this interdisciplinary conference has been a platform for exploring cultural, social, and aesthetic perspectives. Our discussions span literature, cinema, and visual arts, delving into the intricate tapestry of transcultural interactions and their far-reaching impacts.
For the 2026 season, this year's WLSC Team excitedly annouce the upcoming conference theme:
Mercurial: Art in the Time of Subversion
The messenger of the ancient gods, MERCURY, was envisioned as a figure of communication and boundaries, movement across thresholds — it is from his to and fro that hope is born. Human experience is no less fleeting. Just as a moment of charged emotion can give way to a flurry of unexpected thoughts and feelings, art is itself ever-changing, shape-shifting, mercurial. If art has been used throughout history to rework human minds into new ways of thinking, such is cultural production in a time of subversion—a silvery thread tying each artistic gesture to the next while tugging us into an unknowable, but perhaps imaginable, future.
About the Conference
Our World Literature Student Conference (WLSC) is a vibrant academic event, now in its 10th year. It provides a unique platform for undergraduate students to delve into the cultural, social, and aesthetic dimensions of world literatures. Together we unravel the complex tapestry of transnational interactions and their profound influence on our world with panels that explore literature, cinema, and visual arts. Through experiential learning you will gain the top ten skills employers look for: active listening, speaking, critical thinking, reading comprehension, monitoring, judgement and decision making, writing, complex problem solving, social perceptiveness, and coordination.
Growth and Collaboration
Since 2018, we've been working closely with Dr. Bettina Cenerelli, the FASS Director of Student Engagement, and the team at Arts Central. This collaboration has allowed us to incorporate other departments within the faculty, with successful involvement from FRENCH and FIRST NATIONS STUDIES in 2019. Our vision is to introduce a third parallel session, and ultimately, open the conference to the entire faculty. This expansion is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our student team, their willingness to collaborate with other student groups, and their eagerness to engage with various disciplinary platforms.
Program Highlights
Stay tuned for the detailed program of the 10th World Literature Student Conference.
Past Conferences
Discover the rich history of our conference, highlighting key themes and memorable moments from previous years.
Get Involved
Interested in presenting your research or being a part of the organizing team for the next WLSC? Contact us to learn more about opportunities and how you can contribute.
Contact Us
Have questions or need more information? Reach out to us at wlsc@sfu.ca
At WLSC, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives and collaborative learning. Join us in exploring the multifaceted world of literature and culture.