The King’s Contemporary Studies Society’s annual conference gives students in the Contemporary Studies Program a chance to showcase their work and discuss it with their colleagues.

This year’s conference opens on March 4 at 7 p.m. with a keynote lecture from King’s faculty fellow Prof. Hilary Ilkay titled “Dance as Philosophy: Performance, Poetics, Praxis.” On March 5, students will present their work during three panels from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public.

RSVP to Receive the Zoom link

Conference Schedule

Friday, March 4

7 p.m. – Keynote lecture by Prof. Hillary Ilkay

“Dance as Philosophy: Performance, Poetics, Praxis”

Saturday, March 5

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.– Defense of Language

  • “Queerness in the Unsaid: the Secret Power of Female Emotion” by Sophie Harriman
  • “Passing Time in the Time-Loop: Memory and Conversation in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot” by Anya Deady
  • “Feelings Are Not A Luxury: Reflections on Poetry Under Capitalism, Colonialism, and Racist and Sexist Hegemony” by Nellianne Bateman

12 – 1 p.m.– Contemporary Issues: Biopolitics and Ethics

  • “‘My body, my choice’: The Deconstruction of Levinasian Responsibility in the Covid-19 Pandemic” by Hope Moon
  • “The Fraught Discourse Between Eugenics and Modernity” by Meredith Bullock
  • “Designed to Fail: the Intentions and Impact of Canadian Residential Schools” by Rob Tremayne

2 – 3:15 p.m.– Representation of Women

  • “The Misogyny Behind Degas’ Ballerinas” by Grace Day
  • “Swedish Folk Dress and Romantic Nationalism” by Elsy Rytter
  • “Neoliberal Feminism as a Development Issue” by Katie Cheslock
  • “Indigenous Women and the State” by Charlotte Friesen