The topic of the conference invites contributors to reflect on the significance of ECOlogy as key concern in the United States of America and around the world today. Some of the questions the conference hopes to discuss are: have decision makers and communities developed effective strategies of dealing with climate change and the ECOlogical crises of this century, has American culture addressed the problems that threaten the ECOsystem responsibly and equitably, does ECOcriticism help in raising environmental awareness when applied to American cultural productions. The conversations to take place will focus on developments emerging from environmental humanities, embracing interdisciplinary perspectives originating with literary studies, media studies, cultural studies, geography, sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, political science, international relations, law, economics and other associated fields.

Proposals for papers and panel discussions can relate, but are not limited, to the following topics:

• ECOcritical readings of American literature / culture;
• ECOfeminism;
• ECOdramaturgy;
• ECOtheology;
• ECOlogy and the American city;
• ECOlogy and the American youth culture;
• ECOlogy and ethnicity in the U.S.A;
• ECOlogy and trauma;
• ECOactivism and its discontents;
• ECOeffectiveness and sustainability in a digitalized world;
• environmental justice: theory and practice;
• reversing climate change: challenges and solutions;
• preserving biodiversity;
• land / animal / human rights in the context of natural disaster;
• the return to nature: synchronic and diachronic perspectives;

We are pleased to announce that

Professor Philip John Davies, Eccles Centre for American Studies, The British Library, UK

Professor Adina Ciugureanu, Ovidius University, Constanta, Romania; Treasurer, the European Association for American Studies; Fulbright Ambassador 

Professor Roxana Oltean, University of Bucharest, Romania

have accepted our invitation to participate in the conference as key-note speakers.

Proposals for 20-minute papers should be submitted by 15 March 2020 in the form of an abstract of 150-200 words. As each paper will be followed by 10-minute discussions, participants are kindly asked to limit the presentation to their time-slot. Those interested in proposing a panel discussion should submit the title and the names of at least three other academics who will participate in the talk.

If you are interested in participating, please fill in the registration form attached separately to this message and return it at the following e-mail address: raas.conferences@gmail.com.

Conference fee:   RAAS members - 200 RON;

                              Non-RAAS members - 75 EURO / 100 USD