CALL FOR PROPOSALS

In recent years Metal Studies conferences have examined the business of metal, metal’s cultural impact, metal and communal experience, and popular culture and metal, just to name a few. As Metal Studies expands, more and more themes and topics need to be researched by scholars around the world.

In October 2016 the University of Dayton will be hosting a conference that looks at the history of metal through a variety of entry points, such as genres, bands, or within different countries or cultures. Furthermore, the conference aims to examine metal by placing it—whether in physical spaces where bands come together, are formed, or even where they are “placed” within societies or cultures. Finally, how does Metal look at the body? Through the visuals of ink? Of the concert experience? Headbanging? The Mosh Pit? Other ways?. Metal in Strange Places wants to broaden Metal Studies to learn more about how metal is seen and experienced throughout the world.

We welcome individual proposals or pre-formed panels of 3 or 4 members that address any or all of these topics and issues. Possible individual themes that may be addressed include but are not limited to:

  • History of Metal music
  • Marginalization of Metal
  • The Physics of Metal
  • Historicization of Metal
  • Metal Genres and Subgenres
  • Musical development of Metal
  • Metal as “Home”
  • The Visuals of Metal
  • Defining Metal
  • Metal as a Religion
  • Region and Metal
  • Formation of the Metal Band
  • Gender and Metal
  • Metal and homoeroticism
  • The Concert Venue and Metal
  • Metal as a Change Agent
  • Metal’s Role in Countries
  • Metal and Culture
  • Metal Fans
  • Metal and Emotion
  • Metal and the City
  • Periods and Metal

WHAT TO SEND

Please send a 300-word proposal that describes your individual presentation. If you are part of a pre-formed panel, each member of the panel should submit an individual proposal, and the group should write a 500 word proposal that makes connections among the 3-4 members’ presentations.

  • Abstracts should be written in Microsoft Word with the following information included:
  • Author’s name
  • Institutional Affiliation (if there is one)
  • Job title
  • Email address
  • Title of the proposal
  • Proposal body

Proposals are due no later than Friday, April 22, 2016

The conference website will be up on March 1. Proposals and registration will be handled through the “Submit Paper” link. Please do NOT send either to Bryan Bardine. If you do, you will be directed to the website. However, if you have questions about the conference you may contact .