Join the Frankenstein’s Shadow Symposium in Geneva, June 2016
No work of literature has done more to shape the way humans imagine science and its consequences than Frankenstein (1818), Mary Shelley’s enduring tale of creation and responsibility. In Frankenstein, Shelley established the creature and creator tropes that continue to resonate with contemporary audiences and influence the way we confront emerging technologies, conceptualize scientific research, imagine the motivations and ethical struggles of scientists, and weigh the benefits of research with its unforeseen pitfalls.
The Frankenstein Bicentennial Project – a global, interdisciplinary network of people and institutions headquartered at Arizona State University – will celebrate the bicentennial of the writing and publication of Frankenstein from 2016-2018 with exhibits, creative contests, public events, scholarly publications, film screenings, and educational experiences that use the Frankenstein myth as a springboard for science education, imagination ethics, and artistry.
On June 14 and 15, 2016, the Brocher Foundation, Arizona State University, Duke University, and the University of Lausanne will host “Frankenstein’s Shadow,” a symposium in Geneva, Switzerland to commemorate the origin of Frankenstein and assess its influence in different times and cultures, particularly its resonance in debates about public policy governing biotechnology and medicine. These dates place the symposium almost exactly 200 years after Mary Shelley initially conceived the idea for Frankenstein on June 16, 1816, and in almost exactly the same geographical location on the shores of Lake Geneva.
We invite applications for a funded opportunity to participate in the symposium, alongside approximately 25 scholars from institutions around the world. Major themes include Frankenstein’s historical and literary context; efforts to build digital archives around Frankenstein and other works by Shelley and her circle; and how representations of the Frankenstein myth in literature, film, art, and teaching have influenced perceptions of science, technology, and medicine.
We will accept one applicant to participate in the symposium. We will give preference to early-career researchers in relevant fields, but senior scholars should not be dissuaded from applying. All allowable, workshop-related travel expenses (e.g., economy round-trip airfare, 2-3 nights in the symposium hotel, transfers, and meals) will be covered.
To be considered, please see the following forma and submit a 1-2 page CV/cover letter discussing your interest in Frankenstein and what you could contribute to the workshop. We look forward to hearing from you!
Deadline for applications: May 2, 2016.