[Commlist] Call for conference papers: The complexities and challenges of satire in today's society

Call for conference papers: The complexities and challenges of satire in 
today's society

Roskilde University, Denmark, 14 November at 9 am and 15 November at 5 
pm 2024

Hosted by SatiReNet (3-year explorative research network funded by 
Independent Research Fund Denmark)

Building upon the foundational works of Charb (2015), Brink (2015), 
Greenberg (2019), and Declercq (2021), who have explored satire as a 
pre-generic mode, a frame of mind, or a counterpublic practice, our 
explorative research network endeavours to redefine the nature of 
satire. We believe satire transcends mere judgment of others and instead 
seeks to uncover folly within ourselves. Our aim is to delve into the 
hybrid tensions inherent in satire, including the interplay between 
outward and inward critique, fiction and truth-telling, play and 
critique, moral restraints and license, engagement and detachment.

Join us in a scholarly exploration of the nature of satire at this 
international conference! Your contributions will enrich the discourse 
on satire's pivotal role in challenging misconceptions, communicating 
complex ideas and shaping our understanding of the world.

*Themes for research:*

_1. Satire and images:_

This theme examines the commonly assumed unambiguity of graphic satire, 
such as cartoon caricatures. Recent years have seen a surge in heated 
polemics surrounding this presumption, indicating a reliance on quick 
ethical interpretations of satirical works by both academics and 
non-academics (Charb, 2015; Brink, 2015; Greenberg, 2019; Phiddian, 
2019). Moreover, graphic satire remains vastly understudied compared to 
its literary and TV counterparts (Gatrell, 2005; Brink, 2021), making 
this theme both urgent and promising.

_2. Satire and performance:_

In the digital age, satire has proliferated across various platforms, 
including social media, posing new challenges in the relationship 
between performance and audience. This theme explores the evolving 
dynamics between performance and audience participation in satirical 
works, with a focus on the ethical and aesthetic complexities arising 
from the interaction of context, theatricality, and audience 
interpretation (Fischer-Lichte, 2008; Reilly, 2011; Swift, 2019; 
Eigtved, 2021).

_3. Satire and knowledge:_

Both satire and science aim to expose falsehoods and reveal truths. This 
theme scrutinises the intersections of satire and knowledge, 
specifically how satire can be utilised to challenge scientific 
misconceptions and communicate complex ideas (Bore & Reid, 2014; Riesch, 
2015; Pinto, Marçal, & Vaz, 2015; Klitgård, 2020; Klitgård, 2021). We 
aim to uncover the potential risks and benefits of this approach by 
examining the moral and discursive quandaries associated with using 
satire to negotiate the ethos of the scientist.

*Keynotes: *Professor Paul Simpson, University of Liverpool, and 
Associate Professor Nicholas Holm, Massey University.

*Conference format:*

A two-day conference in which we aim for approximately 20 presentations 
in total.

*Submission guidelines:*

Abstract submissions of 300 words and a short bio of 100 words are 
invited from researchers, scholars and practitioners exploring the three 
conference themes. Please upload your material here: 
https://events.ruc.dk/thecomplexitiesandchallengesofsatireintodayssociety/conference 
<https://events.ruc.dk/thecomplexitiesandchallengesofsatireintodayssociety/conference>

Submissions may include research papers, case studies, theoretical 
explorations, or interdisciplinary perspectives.

Authors are encouraged to present innovative approaches, empirical 
studies, and critical analyses related to the study of satire.

*Key dates:*

Abstract submission deadline: 11 August 2024. 300 words

Decision notice: Mid-August 2024

Conference dates: 14-15 November 2024 (at 9-17 each day)

Conference venue: Department of Communication and Arts, Roskilde 
University, Denmark, 
*https://ruc.dk/en/department-communication-and-arts* 
<https://ruc.dk/en/department-communication-and-arts>

Signing up for the conference: 1 September 2024

*Travel and expenses:*

All participants must pay for their own travel and accommodation.


As Roskilde University Campus is situated in Trekroner, approximately 30 
minutes by regional train from Copenhagen, it is safe to book 
accommodation in Copenhagen.


There will be no registration fee, and lunch, coffee and a conference 
dinner will be provided for all conference attendants.

*Inquiries:*

Please contact Associate Professor Ida Klitgård (PI), Roskilde 
University (*(idak /at/ ruc.dk)* <mailto:(idak /at/ ruc.dk)>) or Associate Professor 
Michael Eigtved (Co-PI), University of Copenhagen (*(eigtved /at/ hum.ku.dk)* 
<mailto:(eigtved /at/ hum.ku.dk)>).

SatiReNet website: 
*https://ruc.dk/en/forskningsprojekt/satire-research-network* 
<https://ruc.dk/en/forskningsprojekt/satire-research-network>

Mention in Nordmedia: 
*https://nordmedianetwork.org/latest/news/new-nordic-initiative-to-advance-satire-research/* 
<https://nordmedianetwork.org/latest/news/new-nordic-initiative-to-advance-satire-research/>

*References:*

Bore, I.-L. K., & G. Reid. (2014). Laughing in the Face of Climate 
Change? Satire as a Device for Engaging Audiences in Public Debate. 
/Science Communication/, 36(4), 454–478.

Brink, D. M. (2015). Anklagesyg venstrefløj misforstår Charlie Hebdo. 
Information, 20.01.2015.

Brink, D. M. (2021). /Frækhedens evangelium. Hovedstrømninger i 
religionssatirens historie fra det 12. til det 19. århundrede/. PhD 
thesis. Copenhagen: Copenhagen University.

Charb, S. (2015). /Lettre aux escrocs de l’islamophobie qui font le jeu 
des racists/. Paris: Les Échappes.

Declercq, D. (2021). /Satire, Comedy and Mental Health/. United Kingdom: 
Emerald Publishing.

Eigtved, M. (2021). /PÅ! Begivenhedskultur fra selfie til scenekunst/. 
Frederiksberg: Samfundslitteratur.

Fischer-Lichte, E. (2008). /The Transformative Power of Theatre/. 
London: Routledge.

Gatrell, V. (2005). /City of Laughter. Sex and Satire in 
Eighteenth-century London/. London: Atlantic Books.

Greenberg, J. (2019). /The Cambridge Introduction to Satire/. New York: 
Cambridge University Press.

Klitgård, I. (2020). ’Critical Parents Against Plaster’: The MMR 
vaccination drama as satirical parody. MedieKultur: /Journal of Media 
and Communication Research/, 36(68), 4-24.

Klitgård, I. (2021). ’Ignorance is strength’: Representing COVID-19 
Facebook experts in Danish textual news satire/. Journalistica/, 15(1), 
165-184.

Phiddian, R. (2019). /Satire and the Public Emotions/. Cambridge: 
Cambridge University Press.

Pinto, B., D. Marçal & S.G. Vaz. (2015). Communicating through humour: A 
project of stand-up comedy about science. /Public Understanding of 
Science/, 24(7), 776–793.

Reilly, I. (2011). Amusing Ourselves to Death? Social Media, Political 
Satire, and the 2011 Election. /Canadian Journal of Communication/, 
36(3), 503-511.

Riesch, H. (2015). Why did the proton cross the road? Humour and science 
communication. /Public Understanding of Science/, 24(7), 768–775.

Swift, E. (2019). Practical Spectating: An Exploration of the Multiple 
Roles of the Intermedial Performance Audience. /International Journal of 
Performance Art and Digital Media/, 5(2), 66-183.

Ida Klitgård, ph.d., dr.phil.
Lektor i Kommunikation

Roskilde Universitet
Institut for Kommunikation og Humanistisk Videnskab, 40.3.09.
Postboks 260
Universitetsvej 1
4000 Roskilde
Tlf.: +45 46 74 24 67
E-mail: (idak /at/ ruc.dk)

Webside: https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/persons/idak 
<https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/persons/idak>

Principal investigator i The Satire Research Network SatiReNet (Danmarks 
Frie Forskningsfond) 
https://ruc.dk/research-project/satire-research-network 
<https://ruc.dk/research-project/satire-research-network>

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