Call For Papers

Call for Papers: Canadian Theological Society 2021 Annual Meeting

Monday, May 31 – Wednesday, June 2, 2021
University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta

 

The theme for the Canadian Theological Society for 2021 is “Unsettling Northern Relations.” As suggested by the Congress logo, this theme disrupts an unjust status quo by emphasizing “a symphony of voices, perspectives, ideas, communities and cultures coming together in harmony. A common University of Alberta symbol, bears moving together in the same direction communicate the concept of leading by example and being aware of the generational impact of our actions.” The pursuit of such an ideal comes with its own challenges. Considering that the Arctic North is one of the geographical areas most affected by climate change and a primary target for the expansion of capitalist exploitation of natural resources, this conference provides a unique opportunity to engage and learn with the diverse communities and environments that form the Canadian North, and build a sustainable and just future.

 

Alongside its peer disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, theology is invited to open up much-needed space for transformative dialogue, debate and showcase creative critical engagements within and across disciplines. With this year’s annual meeting, the Canadian Theological Society thus wishes more broadly to foster and encourage critical reflection among scholars, educators, students, ordained, religious and lay leaders, activists, and the public at large, on the nature, sources and implications of current social, ethnic, political and epistemological conditions (especially as these relate to theological and religious teaching and practice), that would enable the communities and milieus of the North to overcome marginalization by and subjection to “southern” perspectives and standards and express their unique identities and gifts in full. Critical theological reflection on the contested nature of “North” and “South” relations on a geopolitical level and their multiple social, political, economic and cultural implications is also welcome.

 

Theological reflection on this theme includes, for example, unveiling the theological significance and implications of the emergence and history of ideas of the North as part of core-periphery, North-north and North-South relations, nature-nurture ecological relations and cultural impact on notions of barren wilderness to explore and exploit, and Doctrine of discovery. Other themes include developing ethical, pedagogical and ministerial resources enabling theological scholarship to find new ways to raise critical awareness of the actual reality and challenges of the North and advocate for a concerted effort to address the global ecological crisis and create conditions for truly sustainable and harmonious inhabitation of all the lands on which Canada is located.

 

We welcome theological papers from all religious traditions, and especially seek those that engage Indigenous and other ways of knowing as lived and taught in the Canadian North. We encourage scholarship that probes how theology might challenge settler-colonialism and anti-black racism, as experienced in Canada. Given the theme of conversation, we also are particularly eager to explore theologies outside of mainstream Christianity, including postcolonial, feminist, anti-racist, environmental and animal studies.

 

We also welcome proposals on other topics in theology, and in all of the theological disciplines, including pastoral, systematic, philosophical and moral theology. The Canadian Theological Society is committed to providing fair representation of Canadian diversity within and beyond the theological community. Women, Indigenous and African-Canadian scholars as well as members of other underrepresented groups are therefore especially enjoined to submit proposals.

 

The Canadian Theological Society invites proposals pertaining to these and related themes in two formats:

 

8-10 minute Presentations

Because the conference will be taking place online, this year we will not follow the usual 20/20 format. We rather invite presentations of 8-10 minutes that will be part of roundtables involving 3 presentations and 20-25 minutes of discussion. Typically the presentation will be an account of a larger research project. Since members work in a variety of fields and specializations, attention should be given to presenting advanced work in an accessible way.

 

Submission

Submit a proposal that includes:

  • Title of presentation;
  • Proposal of a maximum 250 words (with word count), which includes an abstract, the problem your scholarship engages, and the contribution you plan to make;
  • Indication of need to display slides during presentation (PowerPoint or other format);
  • On a separate page, please include:
    • Presenter’s name, institutional or professional affiliation, and contact information.

N.B.: Please take note that sessions will be recorded. The recordings will be posted the following day on the section of the secured portal reserved to the Canadian Theological Society. Only duly registered members will have access to these recordings. The portal will be accessible until the end of June 2021. The informed consent of presenters and participants will be sought before sessions take place.

 

2. Panels

We invite panels on issues that are relevant to members, especially as related to the theme of the annual meeting. Panel proposals should be developed to include diverse voices and perspectives and foster dialogue among the panelists as well as with those attending in the audience. We discourage panels that consist only of reading several papers.

 

Submission

Submit a proposal that includes:

  • Title of panel;
  • Length of panel (50 minutes), with at least 20 minutes of discussion/conversation;
  • Proposal of a maximum 250 words (with word count), which includes an abstract, the problem your scholarship engages, the contribution you plan to make, and how you plan to foster dialogue among panelists and audience (e.g., use and allotment of time);
  • Indication of need to display slides during presentation (PowerPoint or other format);
  • On a separate page, please include:
    • Convener’s name, institution, and contact information.  The convener will be the link between the panel and the CTS;
    • Names, institutions and contact information of all members (max. of 4) of the panel;
    • Either the name and contact information of the moderator, or a request that CTS provide a moderator.

N.B.: Please take note that sessions will be recorded. The recordings will be posted the following day on the section of the secured portal reserved to the Canadian Theological Society. Only duly registered members will have access to these recordings. The portal will be accessible until the end of June 2021. The informed consent of presenters and participants will be sought before sessions take place.

 

All proposals should be submitted in a Word or pdf file by email attachment by February 5, 2021, 5 p.m. ET to: canadiantheologicalsociety@gmail.com

 

We will confirm receipt of all proposals submitted by email.  If you do not receive such an email confirmation within three days of submitting your proposal, contact Jean-Pierre Fortin at jeanpierre.fortin@utoronto.ca.

 

If you submitted a proposal for the 2020 CTS Conference which was approved by the Selection Committee, please do not submit a new proposal for the 2021 CTS Conference. Presenters will be allowed to give only one paper.

 

Selection Criteria

In selecting proposals for 8-10 min presentations or for panels, the committee will consider:

  • The clarity and significance of the proposal;
  • The quality of the contribution to scholarship;
  • The relationship of the presentation to the thematic focus of the annual meeting;
  • The contribution of the presentation to a diversity of perspectives and approaches;
  • The potential for inspiring discussion and engagement among the members.

 

Our goal as a Society is to foster collegial discussion of members’ work and of the work of other Canadian theologians. All presenters and attendees are encouraged to participate in as much of the program as possible. All presenters must be members in good standing of the CTS prior to the Annual Meeting. We welcome all members, students, and other interested persons to join us this year.