Edouard Glissant and Michael Wiedorn call us to “think” with or like a geography. Evolving out of cultural studies, island and archipelagic studies have spurred a conversation regarding the connection between geography and culture. While Glissant and Wiedorn were particularly preoccupied with thinking (like) an archipelago, it is possible yet to conceive of other modes of geographical thought. Transatlantic, island, and even aquatic matrices of culture and geography have been well documented and studied. This panel welcomes submissions in the field of archipelagic and island studies and is particularly interested in papers exploring methods of geographical thought, the relationship between geography and culture, in the US South. This region, whose geography is varied and whose history is complex, remains to be critically considered. The most recent and perhaps a seminal text of contemporary geographical thought, Borderwaters (Roberts 2021) mentions only casually the value of applying the theories to this region, oftentimes consumed by its relationship to water, if not by water itself. Despite what may be considered a call to action by Roberts, the US South and its cultural products broadly remain to be examined through this lens. This panel welcomes submissions in the field of archipelagic and island studies and is particularly interested in papers exploring methods of geographical thought, the relationship between geography and culture, in the US South. Comparative papers are especially welcomed.

Abstracts will be considered for inclusion in an edited collection to be published with Bloomsbury.

Please submit abstracts of approximately 500 words with a brief vita by January 11, 2026. Full submissions anticipated by June 01, 2026.

For inquiries regarding the edited collection, please contact Méghan Elizabeth Hodges at mberg35@lsu.edu