EDIS 2013 International Conference: “Emily Dickinson, World Citizen”
University of Maryland and American University
College Park, MD and Washington, D.C.

On August 8-11, 2013, the University of Maryland will sponsor an Emily Dickinson International Society (EDIS) international conference in the Washington, D.C. area. To celebrate 25 years of EDIS fostering intellectual and artistic exchange, “Emily Dickinson, World Citizen” will explore Dickinson’s various forms of belonging and ways in which multiple constituencies “belong” to her, her world. The poet herself may have seen “New Englandly,” but as a cosmopolitan reader, she crafted and cultivated numerous affiliations beyond the local. This conference explores her politics, her understanding of citizenship, her engagements with international cultures and influences, as well as those cultures’ diverse engagements with her writings. The focus of the conference’s critical and artistic inquiries is the global reach of her mind and verse from the nineteenth century to the present.

“Emily Dickinson, World Citizen” will take extensive advantage of the many historical and cultural resources in the D.C. area. Anticipated highlights include high tea at the Willard Hotel, where Emily Dickinson stayed when she visited her Representative father and where Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”; a reception sponsored by American University; and a poetry reading by some who consider the DC/Maryland area home. Emily Dickinson would surely demand Maryland crabs if she were coming—and legendary Maryland crabcakes will be featured at several events, with alternatives of course for those who do not eat shellfish.

For this conference in “Scarlet Maryland,” we invite proposals for papers, performances, panel sessions, and other critical and artistic responses to the theme “Emily Dickinson, World Citizen.” Innovative and alternative presentation modes (such as pecha kucha) are encouraged. Presentations of research not directly related to the conference theme are also invited. Our “worlding” of Emily Dickinson includes using 21st century media for our knowledge exchange. To that end, abstracts of the presentations will be made available to all participants at least 30 days before the conference. Please submit proposals for papers, performances, panels to edis-2013-conference@umd.edu by February 15, 2013. Notifications of acceptances will be sent no later than February 28, 2013.

Look for updates on the conference at http://www.emilydickinsoninternationalsociety.org/node/123.