NeMLA 2026 | Reading as a Political Act: Exploring the Confluence of Literacy and Politics [Roundtable]
Reading as a Political Act (Roundtable, NeMLA 2026)
Deadline for abstract submission: September 30, 2025
From book bans to executive orders, the question of academic freedom and the freedom to read has become increasingly urgent. In the wake of the 2024 election, debates around “parental rights” and ideological control have intensified, fueling challenges to literacy and intellectual freedom. According to preliminary data from the American Library Association, 1,128 unique titles were challenged between January 1 and August 31, 2024 (“American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges,” September 23, 2024).
