[Commlist] CFP: Reclaiming and Expanding Teen Entertainment History

April 2-3, 2027

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana USA

**

*Call for Papers*

Teen entertainment was first developed in the United States via popular 
literature during the early twentieth century before gaining further 
momentum in radio, theatre, film, and comic books during World War 
II.  By the early 1950s, teen-centered entertainment had found its way 
to American television, further contributing to the commodification of 
teen culture. The early postwar era saw a rise in teen entertainment in 
many countries, especially those in Europe, partially due to the United 
States’ cultural power abroad, along with the financial success of 
teen-centered entertainment properties and young people’s desire to see 
themselves represented.

As a result of an increase in transnational media flows during the late 
twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, teen entertainment is now 
produced and consumed in virtually every country around the world, 
helping to shape social constructions of adolescence, young people’s 
identities and cultural expressions, as well as adults’ engagements with 
teenagers. Regularly ignored, if not derided, by older audiences 
interested in more “sophisticated” forms of culture, the teen audience 
nonetheless continues to be one of the most lucrative markets for 
entertainment industries worldwide.

Until recently, the history of teen entertainment has been dominated by 
studies of U.S. films and television shows that feature white, 
heterosexual, able-bodied, middle-class youth. Minimal attention has 
been given to other countries, other entertainment media, and other ways 
of identifying and being a “teen.”  Bringing together faculty and 
student scholars from around the world, this symposium aims not only to 
expand the field of teen entertainment history but also to honor and 
promote the research of scholars working to enrich this unique field of 
study.

*Deadline for submissions: **11:59 PM (US Eastern Daylight Time) on 
**Friday, 16 October 2026*

**

*Acceptance notifications: mid January 2027*

**

The Program Committee is interested in promoting research on the history 
of teen entertainment, which we define broadly as popular literature, 
plays, films, radio programs, television series, comic books, and video 
games, as well as music, musicians, and other entertainers.  Proposals 
that expand the study of teen entertainment history via attention to 
non-normative identities, intersectional perspectives, non-Western 
national frameworks, and/or globalization are especially 
welcome.  Proposals focused on current teen entertainment are welcome 
but should take a historical perspective.

Proposals for open-call individual papers, preconstituted panels, and 
preconstituted roundtables are welcome.

_Individual open-call paper_ proposals should include an abstract of 250 
words, as well as contact information and a short bio (75-100 words) for 
all authors.  Co-authored papers are welcome. (The Program Committee 
will assemble panels from accepted paper proposals.  Volunteers to act 
as chairs are welcome.)

_Preconstituted panel proposals_ should include a 250-word panel 
proposal as well as an abstract (250 words), bio (75-100 words), and 
contact information for each participant.  Each panel should be made up 
of 3-4 papers (inclusive of the chair and, if applicable, one 
respondent).  Panel co-chairs are welcome, as are paper co-authors and 
respondents.  The chair can serve as the respondent.

_Preconstituted roundtable proposals_ should include a 250-word proposal 
along with a bio (75-100 words) and contact info for each 
participant.  Each roundtable should have four (4) to six (6) 
participants, inclusive of the chair and, if applicable, the co-chair.

Follow one of these links to submit your proposal:

- _Open-call individual paper proposal_ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/bYiJLN2hZiH4f3Fh6__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgiM3KoaE$> - 
https://forms.gle/bYiJLN2hZiH4f3Fh6 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/bYiJLN2hZiH4f3Fh6__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgiM3KoaE$>

- _Preconstituted panel proposal_ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/r4V14BzRupyrwc5p6__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgN5GQub4$> - 
https://forms.gle/r4V14BzRupyrwc5p6 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/r4V14BzRupyrwc5p6__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgN5GQub4$>

- _Preconstituted roundtable proposal_ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/FYAvxvSDoTHUetd49__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgTl2d98s$> - 
https://forms.gle/FYAvxvSDoTHUetd49 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/FYAvxvSDoTHUetd49__;!!Mak6IKo!Ik9a1oLIFaBgmJFvL1oKGaiPy2ak7SsKNssjBdEINi-Qw8PuPNFYvlkFK2_fgAtzXv43oCQzUwNgTl2d98s$>

**

The Program Committee includes Barbara Jane Brickman, Mary Celeste 
Kearney, Diana Leon-Boys, Sharon Ross, Timothy Shary, and Frances Smith.

*Please direct any questions to Mary Celeste Kearney 
(**(mckearney /at/ nd.edu)* <mailto:(mckearney /at/ nd.edu)>*).*
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