Concept Note

Research Scholar’s National Conference CFP – 22nd and 23rd April 2026

New Paradigms, New Epistemes: Literature and Criticality in the 21st Century

The primary goal of literature, as J.H. Miller defines it, is to promote Wissenschaft, or the impulse to find the truth about everything. The word in German stands for science but would actually imply scholarly knowledge or impulse pursued through the progressivist model. This principle is at the heart of literature, especially realism, and places on the scholar/writer the onerous task of pursuing literature as a vocation. The second goal of Bildung, or training citizens of a nation-state in the ethos it chooses to uphold, is historically the charge of philosophy, but where literature has come to play a dominant role since the 19th century and through the interventions of cultural arbiters such as Mathew Arnold, amongst others.

In the 21st century, the progressivist model and other older verities have been dislocated to produce newer paradigms of knowledge and understanding. Newer modes of interpretation fueled by the desire to sculpt forms and imaginaries which can keep pace with changes in the world have appeared, bolstering critical thinking towards newer epistemes. As the shared world transacts through novelties and inventions that reshape the coordinates of living and community, research also attempts to invent new vocabularies and frames to comprehend the perceived. This conference aims to foster an exchange between scholars in literature and the humanities as they work towards bringing their intellectual journey to fruition. The conference will be held over two days and is interested in exchanges regarding emergent forms of intellectual enquiry and scholarly practices.

The scholars can address the following sub-categories:

• Literature and Race
• Literature and Gender
• Literature and Caste
• Literature and Environment
• Literature and Violence
• Literature and Resistance
• Literature and Technology
• Literature and Culture
• Literature and Disability
• Literature and Climate

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

We invite abstracts from eligible scholars for presentation at the upcoming conference.

Please read the following submission guidelines carefully before submitting your abstract:

1. Submission Format:

• Authors must submit an abstract of 250–300 words.

• A brief bio-note of approximately 100 words must be included.

• Abstract, bio-note, and keywords must be compiled in a single Microsoft Word document (.doc/.docx).

• The document should be emailed to: newepistemes.ipuconf@gmail.com

• Authors are required to include 3–5 keywords along with the abstract.

2. Eligibility:

• Only registered Ph.D. scholars are eligible to participate.

3. Registration and Financial Support:

• There is no registration fee for participation.

• No TA/DA (Travel Allowance or Dearness Allowance) will be provided under any circumstances.

4. Publication Opportunity:

• Shortlisted participants, after the conference, will be invited to submit their fully developed research papers.

• Selected papers will be considered for publication in the upcoming issue of the journal Indraprasth - An International Journal of Culture and Communication Studies, subject to the journal’s review process.

   Link to Indraprasth - An International Journal of Culture and Communication Studies (ISSN 2278-7208) -  https://ipu.ac.in/indraprasth

5. Important Deadline:

• The last date for submission of abstracts is 23 March 2026.

*Authors are advised to ensure that submissions adhere strictly to the above guidelines.

Incomplete or non-compliant submissions may not be considered.