Second call for participation (papers, panels, posters): "Where do we go from here?" One day symposium on Belgian refugees. 13 September 2018, Brussels.

Where do we go from here?
One-day symposium on Belgian refugees

KU Leuven, Brussels Campus, 13 September 2018
Second Call for Papers / Panels / Posters

Throughout the Centenary years the transnational history of Belgian refugees and the First World War has been receiving increasing attention, especially in the Netherlands and in the United Kingdom. Many (inter)national, regional and local history projects emerged, each with its own valuable contribution to the overall history of First World War displacement and often in an atmosphere of sharing information. Many academic research projects appeared too, resulting in numerous publications referring to Belgians in exile. Only few publications covered the specific history in detail, proving that there is still ample ground to cover the history of the Belgian refugees.

The aim of this one-day symposium is therefore to take stock of current research and position the displacement and temporary settlement of Belgian refugees during the First World War within a double framework. Firstly, within the context of the Centenary period and its local projects or academic output papers are invited that expand existing knowledge and/or that provide context and analysis to ongoing research. Secondly, the symposium aims to open up new pathways into the histories of the respective Belgian refugee communities, more in particular within a comparative context or with a focus on the immediate aftermath of the war and/or legacy.

Papers are welcomed that provide a perspective on existing research, elaborate on ongoing projects or uncover further primary sources on Belgian refugees. Papers can be holistic as well as interdisciplinary, taking from research such as memory studies, reception studies, trauma studies and linguistic research, but not exclusively. Although the symposium aims to reflect on past (hi)stories, contributions that relate historical research Belgian refugees to current-day refugee situations are equally encouraged to submit. 

The event will very likely focus mainly on Belgian refugees in exile in the UK and on those in the Netherlands.

Panels are equally invited, they ideally focus on several papers that share specific characteristics (this can be spatial, temporal but also along specific features of a Belgian exile community, such as class).

As the symposium aims to provide a platform where interested parties can exchange information on their projects and interests with relevant other interested parties, research projects – academic as well as local ones – are invited to present a poster during the break sessions. Panels for posters are 120cm wide and 160cm high.

The symposium will provide ample networking opportunities beyond the usual coffee breaks.

The language of the symposium is English.

Papers are invited

·       for 25 minute presentations, send a 300 word abstract and brief bio;

·       for a one hour panel, send a 300 word proposal and a 100-word bio per participant;

·       for a poster, send a summary of your project or what you would like to present.

The deadline for abstracts, panel proposals and posters has been extended to Thursday 14 June, and should be sent to christophe.declercq@kuleuven.be.

Confirmation of acceptance Monday 18 June.

Organising committee: 
Christophe Declercq (KU Leuven / UCL @belgianrefugees @chrisdec71), 
Julian Walker (UCL / British Library @languagesFWW @JWalkerwords); 
Philippa Read (University of Leeds @FWWBRefugees).

Both the Letteren department of KU Leuven, Brussels Campus, and the Centre for Reception Studies have kindly agreed to supporting the event.

Peter Cahalan has kindly accepted to act as honorary chairman of the event. The symposium expresses its sincere gratitude to Pat Heron and Marleen Van Ouytsel, who both did not live to enjoy the fruits of their efforts in relation to Belgian refugees research and commemorations.