Call for papers for a proposed Special Session of the 2026 MLA Annual Convention in Toronto, January 8-11

"Unpopular Shaw"

Irish dramatist Bernard Shaw was never far from controversy. This session will examine aspects of Shaw and his works that either were deeply unpopular in his own day or run contrary to majoritarian thinking today.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

abortion and contraception
censorship
education and child rearing
eugenics
dictatorship
the medical profession
marriage and divorce
prostitution
race and nationality
religion
politics and government
actors and acting

Papers may also be considered for a forthcoming special issue on "Unpopular Shaw" of SHAW: The Journal of Bernard Shaw Studies.

Submit an abstract of approximately 250 words by March 15th to James Armstrong of The City College of New York at armstrongwrites@gmail.com