The Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Toronto is pleased to invite graduate students to the 2025 Annual Graduate Student Conference! This year's theme is The Politics of Resistance and Belonging.
The purpose of the conference is to shed light on the nature of resistance, how it relates to belonging and other terms like solidarity, resilience and rebellion, engage in conversations about coercive powers of exclusion, use of violent measures, and consider the tensions and conflicting messages that exist when people engage in resistance and are subjected to criminalization.
The call for submissions is now open!
The conference is meant to provide attendees with new analytical insights on the contradictions inherent and implied, in resisting and belonging, as understood from criminological, legal, and sociolegal, anthropological and geographical perspectives, for example. The theme is also centered on the disparate impact that colonial histories, legal, pseudo-legal, and informal practices have on racial, ethnic, and political groups, and which ultimately create ‘us versus them’ dichotomies.
This is an exciting opportunity for PhD and advanced MA students to present research and works of art within this theme for feedback among supportive peers. We welcome submissions from criminology, sociolegal studies, sociology, law, psychology, history, science and technology studies, anthropology, public policy, geography and related disciplines. Applications should be submitted using the online form. Please, direct all questions to gradconf.crimsl@utoronto.ca.
Topics
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- How does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, both uphold and undermine a democratic or undemocratic society?
- How does ‘belonging,’ broadly construed, relate to a democratic or undemocratic society? Can it exist beyond borders?
- How does the use of ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, relate to terms like resilience and rebellion?
- Does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, require solidarity?
- Does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, necessarily involve the practice of othering
- What is the relationship between resistance, belonging, othering, and colonialism? How is belonging or othering informed by colonialism?
- How does the use of violence on the part of the resisters or those who attempt to subdue them come into play?
- What are the implications of the criminalization of resistance from a local, national and international perspective?
- What is the nature of repression in resistance and belonging?
Timeline
Submission deadline: January 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm (extended from December 20, 2024)
Registration opens: December 12, 2024
Notification of selection: TBC
Conference date: April 25, 2025
Accessibility
Please note that our Centre Lounge and CG 265 seminar room are on the second floor of the Canadiana Gallery building, with stair access only as there is no elevator. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your participation in this conference, please email gradconf.crimsl@utoronto.ca and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.
Notice of photography and videography
Photography, audio, and video recording may occur throughout this event. Therefore, by attending, you hereby authorize the University of Toronto to take your photograph, video and/or record your voice and grant the university all rights to these sounds, still or moving images in any medium for educational, promotional, marketing, advertising or other such purposes that support the mission of the university. If you do not consent to this, please speak with a university representative upon your arrival.
Directions
By transit: The closest subway station is Queen's Park.
By car: There is no on-site parking available. There is a drop-off area at the main entrance. U of T hosts several parking lots on campus.
