CALL FOR PAPERS NOW OPEN

​

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2020

​

Professor Sarah Ross

(Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand)

"The Renaissance Complaint"

​

and 

​

Professor John Watkins

(University of Minnesota, USA)

"Dynastic Marriages in the Mediterranean during the mediaeval and early modern periods"

 

Deadline for Proposed Papers: 31 December 2019

​

We aim to publish papers from the conference in a proceedings

after the end of the conference. Inclusion in this is voluntary.

​

Lead Academic convenors:

Dr Stella Achilleos (University of Cyprus)

Prof. James Fitzmaurice (University of Sheffield, UK)

Prof. Lisa Hopkins (Sheffield Hallam University, UK)

Dr Laurence Publicover (University of Bristol, UK)

​

Desdemona's Island is a gathering of researchers from all over the world, interested in the work of Shakespeare and other writers from the renaissance and early modern periods and their legacies. Staged as part of the wider annual Othello's Island Conference on Medieval and Early Modern Studies, now in its eighth year, the event is an opportunity to hear and discuss interesting new research by academics and research students, in one of the key settings of the renaissance world, the capital of the Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, Nicosia.

​

The scope of the conference is very broad-ranging and so we welcome proposals for papers on a wide range of topics. For example, we are interested in papers on the writings of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, the international scope of writers such as Shakespeare and his contemporaries, and the relationship between literature and material culture during this period. Other topics related to the overall theme of Shakespeare and his contemporaries are also welcome, such as the ongoing legacy of literature of this period into the modern world, the teaching of renaissance literature in schools, colleges and universities, and perhaps also connections between renaissance writers in Western Europe and the histories, peoples and cultures of the eastern Mediterranean.

​

The lead academics for the Colloquium will be Professor Lisa Hopkins, of Sheffield Hallam University, and Dr Laurence Publicover, of the University of Bristol.

 

As well as the presentation of papers, this year will see a return of the round-table discussion, looking at developing themes in the study of Shakespeare, and the teaching of the subject in schools, colleges and universities. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to us in Cyprus during the conference, and we will be able again to hold this in a relaxed atmosphere, outside under the trees at CVAR!

​

Our hosts for the colloquium, the Centre for Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), is located in the centre of the old town of Nicosia, capital of Cyprus. In its medieval streets, surrounded by the huge Venetian walls, you will find lovely museums, shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as medieval and renaissance buildings, harking back to the medieval and renaissance period, when Cyprus was ruled by the French Lusignan royal family. Perhaps most notable of the house was the last Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, whose portrait was painted by Giorgione, Titian and other Renaissance artists.

​

CALL FOR PAPERS - DEADLINE 31 DECEMBER 2019

​

​If you would like to submit a paper for possible presentation at the conference please send an abstract and a brief  CV (resumé) by e'mail to arrive not later than 31 December 2019.

 

Papers should be no longer than twenty minutes in length.

​​

The abstract should include:

 

• your full name

• your institutional affiliation (if any)

• your e'mail address

• the title of your proposed paper

• your abstract (must be in English and not longer than 300 words long).

​

In general we will try to let you know if your paper has been accepted not later than 28 February 2020. If you require a decision before 28 February 2020 ​on whether your paper will be included in the colloquium, please indicate this in your e'mail. Usually this will be because you need to make a funding application or other arrangements.

​

Papers can only be presented in person. We are sorry, we do not allow proxy or Skype-style presentations.

​

All proposals should be sent to Dr Michael Paraskos at m.paraskos@imperial.ac.uk with the subject line Desdemona 2020

​

If you have any questions please e'mail Dr Michael Paraskos at m.paraskos@imperial.ac.uk