Dear colleagues,

Please see the below CfP for the edited collection:

Neurodiverse Narratives in the 21st Century

Rachel Milne and Shelby Judge (eds.)

We are now accepting paper proposals for the edited collection Neurodiverse Narratives in the 21st Century. Contemporary academic and activist efforts have sought to reframe public perceptions of neurodivergence, with Critical Neurodiversity Studies at the forefront. The term neurodiversity recognises that all human minds are different, and moulded by factors such as genetics, environment, and culture. The term neurodivergent, on the other hand, is used to describe someone “whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from the dominant social norms” (Walker 2021, 38). 

A movement from the pathological paradigm to a neurodiversity paradigm necessitates an understanding of ‘normal’ as socioculturally constructed, and neurodivergence as neurological difference (as opposed to deviance). As such, literature and media have an important role to play. Latent depictions of neurodivergence have existed for a long time, while explicit representations of neurocognitive diversity in literature and media are becoming increasingly prevalent. Neurodiverse Narratives in the 21st Century aims to explore both, showcasing the vibrancy of the contemporary neurodiversity discourse within and outside of academia.

For the purposes of this collection, the terms ‘Neurodiversity,’ 'Neurodivergence' and ‘Narratives’ will be understood in their broadest possible terms. We welcome papers on any topic within this field. Suggested paper topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Neurodiverse representation in contemporary literature
• Neurodivergence in modern television or film
• Neurodivergence in programmes created for streaming services, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime 
• Representations of PTSD in contemporary literature, television, film, or comics
• Representations of ASD, AD(H)D, and/or AuDHD in contemporary literature, television, film, or comics
• Representations of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions in contemporary literature, television, film, or comics
• Representations of dyslexia, dyspraxia, and/or dyscalculia in contemporary literature, television, film or comics
• How specific neurodivergences are (mis)represented on social media, such as Instagram Reels and TikTok 
• Neurodivergence in genre fiction, including fantasy and/or crime fiction
• Neurodivergence in young adult fiction 
• Neurodiversity and intersectionality (e.g., with gender, race, age, socioeconomic status, dis/ability...)
• Neuroqueer readings or identities in literature, television, films, or comics

Paper proposals should be no longer than 500 words. Please send proposals and a short biographical note (up to 100 words) to neurodivergentnarratives@gmail.com by Friday, 31st May 2024.

Very best,