SSAAANZ Online Conference 2025: 

Emerging and Dispersed Scholarship

 

Call for Papers

Tertiary education and research sectors are putting unprecedented pressure upon screen studies research. As global institutions restrict or curtail access and funding for humanities research and as screen studies fields continue to be marginalised and eroded from curricula, it has never been more crucial to focus on the emerging research, education and creative practice undertaken by scholars and practitioners. Concurrently, geographic and financial boundaries limit access to wider screen studies communities, isolating scholars and practitioners who may feel they are the “only one at the lighthouse” in undertaking their work.

 

In 2025, this first SSAAANZ Online conference seeks to address these issues by bringing together a host of presenters from institutions across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally to illustrate their connection to screen studies. The conference welcomes a wide range of scholars and practitioners who would like to present their work; we invite both senior and junior colleagues in screen studies disciplines, including Higher Degree Research students, creative practitioners and producers, and those who would consider themselves to be Early Career Researchers. 

Themes

Speakers are invited to give a 15-minute presentation on screen studies research and creative practice. Speakers may also nominate to give shorter/in-progress presentations of up to 10 minutes to allow more time for audience Q&A and feedback. There is significant latitude in what constitutes “Emerging and Dispersed” screen studies projects; the conference seeks to involve a diverse array of presentations. We welcome submissions based on both newer research projects and established or in-progress works (for example, PhD research or ARC projects). This is an open call to global attendees to share emerging screen studies research with some suggested points of connection which could include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

  • New and emergent discussions in established screen studies research fields

  • Assessments of Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand screen content and their respective contributions to local and global audiences and industrial formations

  • Challenging “centralised” versus “peripheral” models of screen teaching and research

  • Non-traditional screen research and creative practices outside traditional/institutional funding structures

  • How screen studies practitioners navigate the industry in 2025

  • How specific forms of screen practice, criticism and creativity are developing in the Asia-Pacific/Moana-nui-a-Kiwa

  • The impact of government policy on screen studies practice and research

  • Entering screen studies academia in a time of restriction and institutional reform

  • New forms of connectivity in screen practice and scholarship

  • Niche, novel and under-represented topics in screen studies research and creative practice

  • Australian First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and Pasifika/Moana-nui-a-Kiwa screen scholarship, practices and networking

  • Understanding and implementing screen studies educational practice in 2025: boundaries and opportunities

  • The shifting structures of local and international screen industries for both creators and audiences

  • Changing experiences of screen media in film, television and video games

  • Industry and governmental responses to screen audiences needs: what’s working, what isn’t

 

Additional conference elements

  • Mentoring: The SSAAANZ Mentorship Scheme will be available to any presenters who would like to request formal mentoring for their presentations or for related research work; more details will be released closer to time and following the release of abstract acceptances.

  • Presentation formats: Speakers are welcome to present their work live online, submit a pre-recorded presentation, or develop a creative work. If you have a different or specific presentation format in mind, please contact the conference working group below.

  • The Panel of Bright Ideas: In addition to Higher Degree Research students being invited to present, we are seeking to compose a panel specifically aimed at showcasing HDR work in shorter presentation pitches for feedback and development from senior scholars. More details will be released closer to time, however HDR speakers can register their interest when submitting their abstracts.

  • Book launches and proposal celebrations: We will be holding a post-conference online session on Wednesday 12 November dedicated to highlighting screen studies book launches and proposal acceptance recognition; if you have a book released or have had a proposal accepted and/or contracted anytime in 2025, please let us know so we can celebrate your work!

  • Screen media/short film streaming: Depending on interest, the conference aims to host an online streaming event showcasing screen media work from creative practitioners via Discord; if you are interested in participating or showcasing your work, please highlight this in your submission.

 

Date and Location

Wednesday 12-Thursday 13 November, held via Zoom. There is potential for small in-person gatherings of scholars in close proximity to each other which will be advertised closer to time; if you are interested in establishing a gathering, please contact the conference working group.

 

Contact: ssaaanzonline2025@gmail.com 

 

CFP closing date: Friday 1 August, 2025.

Speakers will be informed of their acceptance to the conference by Friday 29 August.