Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberpunk and Science Fiction Call for Papers 2003

Marking the launch of a new annual conference, research and publication series, this inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to explore what it is to be human and the nature of human community in cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction. In particular, the project will explore the possibilities offered by these contexts for creative thinking about persons and the challenges posed to the nature and future of national, international, and global communities.

Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to any of the following themes;

the relationship between cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction
science fiction and cyberpunk as a medium for exploring the nature of persons
humans and cyborgs; the synergy of humans and technology; changing views of the body
human and post-human politics; cyborg citizenship and rights; influence of political technologies
bodies in cyberculture; from apes to androids - electronic evolution; biotechnical advances and the impact of life, death, and social existence; the impact on individuality
gender and cyberspace: new feminisms, new masculinities
electronic persons, community and identity; cyberspace, cybercommunities, virtual worlds, and home worlds
nature, enhancing nature, and artificial intelligence; artificial life, life and information systems, networked living
Cyberpolitics, cyberdemocracy, cyberterror; old conflicts, new spaces: elections, protest and war in cyberspace; nationality and nationalism in cyberculture; the state and cyberspace: repression vs. resistance
cybercultures: the transnational and the local
boundaries, frontiers and taboos in cyberculture
cyberculture and orientalism
religion and spirituality in cyberculture, science fiction and cyberpunk
old messages, new medium: cyberspace and mass communication
cyberculture, cyberpunk and the near future: utopias vs. dystopias
technology vs. the natural? cyberculture and the green movement

Papers will be considered on any related theme. 300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 9th May 2003. Full draft papers should be submitted by Friday 11th July 2003.

This is an indicative list - and papers dealing with related themes will be considered.

All papers accepted for and presented at the conference will be published in an ISBN e-Book. Selected papers will be developed and published in a themed hard copy book(s).

300 word abstracts are to be submitted to the Joint Organising Chairs by Friday 9th May 2003;

Joint Organising Chairs
Christopher Macallister Department of Politics and IR, University of Kent at Canterbury Canterbury United Kingdom	Dr Rob Fisher Inter-Disciplinary.Net Priory House 149B Wroslyn Road Freeland, Oxfordshire OX29 8HR

Papers should be sent as an email attachment in Word or WordPerfect; abstracts can also be submitted in the body of the email text rather than as an attachment.

A full conference timetable is available under Further Details.