Call for Proposals
Spaces and Stories of Resistance: The 2027 International Association for Robin Hood Studies Conference
June 4-5, 2027
Irvine Valley College (Irvine, Southern California, United States)
In-person and virtual
The stories of Robin Hood and other outlaw figures offer complex, shifting, persistent narratives of resistance and power, inhabiting diverse storyworlds that respond to and reflect the needs of the society in which the outlaw emerges. The Robin Hood tradition is a rich and varied one; tales of outlaw heroes, resistance fighters, tricksters, and merry bands can be found across time and space, spanning the globe.
At present, spaces and stories of resistance and power are particularly timely and vital concepts, and the International Association for Robin Hood Studies invites proposals for conference presentations which examine the complexity of these themes. What might it mean to create a community or space of resistance? (For that matter, what is being resisted, and by whom?) How can tales of these outlaw heroes impact the present and invite the construction of the future, and equally, how might these stories shape our understanding of the past and ourselves? How are these spaces of resistance imagined, and re-imagined, in response to and in tension with structures of power? How do these stories contribute to narratives of cultural and/or national identity?
Particular attention will be given to proposals which incorporate these concepts, though – in keeping with the greenwood community spirit – all Robin Hood and similar outlaw-related proposals are invited for consideration! The IARHS welcomes international scholars working in diverse fields, such as literature and drama, history, folklore and mythology, film and television studies (including Disney), music and performing arts, fashion and costume design, comics and graphic arts, adaptation studies, and fan studies.
The IARHS understands that travel may be complicated for any number of reasons, and while we encourage in-person attendance and community, a virtual presentation and attendance option will be available via Zoom.
Please submit proposals, consisting of a 200-500 word abstract and a short bio, to iarhsconference2027@gmail.com by February 1, 2027.
Please also indicate whether you will have any A/V needs, and whether you are considering in-person or virtual attendance, if accepted.
Undergraduate scholars are welcome to submit proposals for consideration for undergraduate sessions; please include the name of a supervising faculty member or scholar, and your institutional affiliation, in your proposal.
I’ve just completed my first annual report as the new editor of Speculum. If you’re a glutton for punishment, you can read the whole thing under Proceedings in the July issue. But in the meantime, I’d like to share some statistics with the whole MAA membership. During my first eight months on the job we received 65 submissions, of which we accepted 5, rejected 43, and offered 10 authors a chance to revise and resubmit. As of March 1, nine articles are still under review. (Two contributors have already resubmitted their pieces, accounting for the discrepancy.) So our acceptance rate of fully reviewed submissions is only 8.6%. It’s wonderful to be so selective—but we’re very much on the lookout for first-rate articles! So please consider submitting your work.
