[Commlist] CFP: Conspiracy theory, politics, and representation (One day conference and edited collection)

*CALL FOR PAPERS*

/One day conference and edited collection/

*Conspiracy theory, politics, and representation*

University of Derby and QUAD arts centre, Derby, UK. 3^rd July 2019

This call is an invitation to a one day conference, out of which it is 
proposed to prepare an edited collection of papers arising from it, on 
the theme of conspiracy theory, politics and representation. Here, 
politics can be interpreted in its widest sense and proposals concerned 
with conspiracy theory’s role in metapolitics as a strategy of cultural 
penetration will be particularly welcome. The conference will be a 
public event and whilst aimed at sharing the very best in current 
scholarship, tickets will be priced in a way that encourages wider 
audiences, especially FE and UG HE students, to attend. There will be a 
full day’s programme of papers, discussion, and an evening film screening.

Conformed speakers include Professor Peter Knight (University of 
Manchester) who will present a paper titled, “Everything Is Connected: 
The Visual Culture of Conspiracy Theory” and David Robertson (Open 
University).

What was once the study of marginal and stigmatized beliefs has become a 
headlong rush to keep up with the mainstreaming of conspiracy theory. 
Whilst there is much to be said for the belief that engaging in 
conspiracy theory can help to develop a healthy scepticism toward 
hegemonic accounts of socio-political reality, the world of conspiracy 
theory has moved on a great deal from Fenster’s account of ‘great 
scholars and regular kids with laptops’ in the 9/11 Truther movement. 
Whilst they still represent a section of conspiracy theorists they have 
been obscured by Birthers, Pizzagate activists, and, increasingly, a 
politicised far right. At the same time conspiracy theory has shed the 
stereotypical image of being the purview of ‘tin foil hat wearers’ and 
has begun to garner acceptability among sections of the public. As 
‘alternate facts’ and ‘fake news’ further undermine faith in the 
possibility of accurate representations of a shared social reality, the 
stigma associated with what had, for the most part, been seen as crank 
ideas has diminished. This conference and associated edited collection 
seeks to capture this moment of extended reach and acceptance of 
conspiracy theories.

The following themes indicate potential topics for abstracts but 
variations, combinations, and additions are welcome:

  * The survival and resurgence of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
  * Conspiracy theories and ‘the new populism’
  * Demographic variations in conspiracy adherence
  * The pleasures of conspiracy theory
  * Radical religion and conspiracy theory
  * Political extremism and conspiracy theories
  * Social media and the normalisation of conspiracy theory
  * The scope for rational critical enquiry at a time of generalised
    scepticism

Abstracts of no more than 300 words, a working title, and a short 
proposer biography are invited for submission no later than *February 
1^st , 2019*. Accommodation expenses for accepted speakers will be 
provided, as will travel costs within the UK. Papers accepted for the 
conference will be included in the edited collection proposal although 
speakers are welcome to submit proposals intended for the conference or 
the collection. If you wish for your abstract to be considered solely 
for the conference or edited collection then please indicate this in 
your submission. Submissions for the edited collection will be required 
by *August 30^th , 2019.*

Please send your abstracts to: Andrew Fergus Wilson, School of Law, 
Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Derby in Word or 
PDF format *(a.f.wilson /at/ derby.ac.uk) <mailto:(a.f.wilson /at/ derby.ac.uk)>*

*Conference Host: QUAD*

At the time of the conference QUAD is exhibiting Megan Broadmeadow’s 
installation ‘SEEK PRAY ADVANCE’ which explores the beliefs of The 
Aetherius Society. QUAD is an international centre for engagement in 
contemporary art and film, based in Derby, in the heart of the UK, with 
annual footfall of over 300,000. The year-round programme focuses on 
major exhibitions, professional practice for artists, mass 
participation, commissions, independent film and the creative use of 
emergent digital technologies. QUAD is a charity focused on 
intercultural dialogue through supporting diverse audiences to engage, 
develop skills and contribute to contemporary culture. Major projects 
include FORMAT International Photography Biennale and the UK’s largest 
international portfolio review, as well as recent exhibitions – 
including many new commissions by Susan MacWilliam, Benedict Drew, 
teamLab, Rebecca Allen – and Doug Fishbone’s 9-hole crazy golf course at 
the 2015 Venice Biennale. QUAD is also home to the Derby Film Festival. 
QUAD’s founding patron was the late Sir John Hurt www.derbyquad.co.uk 
<http://www.derbyquad.co.uk>

Andrew Fergus Wilson

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

College of Business, Law and Social Sciences

University of Derby

_Latest Publications_

(2018) ‘#whitegenocide, the Alt-right and Conspiracy Theory: How Secrecy 
and Suspicion Contributed to the Mainstreaming of Hate.’ /Secrecy and 
Society/ 1(2). http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/secrecyandsociety/vol1/iss2/1

(2017) ‘The Bitter End: Apocalypse and conspiracy in white nationalist 
responses to the ISIL Paris Attacks’. /Patterns of Prejudice/ 51(5), 412-431

(2017) ‘Postcards from the Cosmos: Cosmic Spaces in Alternative Religion 
and Conspiracy Theories’. /The Journal of Astrosociology/ Volume 2. 
http://www.astrosociology.org/Library/PDF/Journal/JOA-Final/JournalOfAstrosociology-Vol2.pdf 


Andrew Fergus Wilson

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

College of Business, Law and Social Sciences

University of Derby

_Latest Publications_

(2018) ‘#whitegenocide, the Alt-right and Conspiracy Theory: How Secrecy 
and Suspicion Contributed to the Mainstreaming of Hate.’ /Secrecy and 
Society/ 1(2). http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/secrecyandsociety/vol1/iss2/1

(2017) ‘The Bitter End: Apocalypse and conspiracy in white nationalist 
responses to the ISIL Paris Attacks’. /Patterns of Prejudice/ 51(5), 412-431

(2017) ‘Postcards from the Cosmos: Cosmic Spaces in Alternative Religion 
and Conspiracy Theories’. /The Journal of Astrosociology/ Volume 2. 
http://www.astrosociology.org/Library/PDF/Journal/JOA-Final/JournalOfAstrosociology-Vol2.pdf 



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