London Conference in Critical Thought 2020
The LCCT is a free, inter-institutional, interdisciplinary conference in critical thought that takes place annually in institutions across London. LCCT follows a non-hierarchical, decentralised model of organisation that undoes conventional academic distinctions between plenary lectures and break-out sessions, aiming instead to create opportunities for intellectual critical exchange regardless of participants’ disciplinary field, institutional affiliation, or seniority. The conference is envisaged as a space for those who share theoretical approaches and interests but who may find themselves at the margins of their academic department or discipline. Following this decentralised, ‘margins-at-the-centre’ logic, LCCT has no overarching or predetermined theme. Each year the conference’s intellectual content and academic tone are set by thematic streams that are conceived, proposed and curated by a group of stream organisers. Each stream generates its own intellectual rationale and Call for Papers, with conference participants responding to the accepted stream proposals.
We are now accepting submissions for streams, encouraging especially stream proposals that stimulate a range of cross-disciplinary responses and which approach critical thought in an open, non-prescriptive way. Rather than focus on single theorists or intellectual traditions, streams are envisaged as interdisciplinary spaces, whether interdisciplinarity is understood as research at the intersection of distinct disciplines (across the arts & humanities, social sciences, and beyond) or as an approach that identifies a problematic that can elicit responses across disciplines. Past streams have included topics such as ‘Automating Inequality,’ ‘Thinking Critically with Care,’ ‘Radical Transfeminisms,’ and ‘Art in the Time of Capital.’ Wherever possible, we are keen to facilitate alternative presentation and stream formats. Past conferences have involved both traditional (panels, roundtables) and non-traditional formats (workshops, performances) and we are open other ways of presenting critical work (e.g. exhibits, film essays) and facilitating dialogue (e.g. themed/structured discussions, groups for reflecting on practice).
Those whose stream proposals are accepted play an active role in the organisation of the conference, taking organisational responsibility for their own stream as well as contributing to, and participating in, the LCCT organising collective. For example, all papers, workshops and performances submitted to streams are accepted subject to confirmation by the entire collective.. Further guidance on what you may want to think about when putting a stream together can be found on our website, along with information regarding how streams and papers are selected, what it means to be a stream organiser, and the ethos and organising structure of the LCCT. Stream organisers also have the opportunity to submit a collection of papers for consideration for inclusion in the London Journal of Critical Thought.