Histoires comparées du sida en Europe

Comparative Histories of HIV/AIDS in Europe

Call for Papers

We invite expressions of interest from scholars of any discipline, working on histories of HIV/AIDS in Europe, to participate in a one-day symposium in London on 19July 2018.

Recently, research on HIV and AIDS in historical perspective has intensified, with new projects looking at the UK, Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, and more. This exciting work is not only painting a large and vibrant picture of the histories of AIDS and HIV, incorporating groups and experiences previously under-documented, but it is also beginning to signal the vital importance of local and national contexts. Responses to, and experiences of AIDS and HIV were modulated by features that varied from place to place, within and between countries, and reflected the importance of the social, cultural, and political settings in which AIDS and HIV emerged.

This one-day symposium seeks to draw together these existing research projects, to encourage comparative perspectives and to consider resonances and dissonances between them. It will provide an opportunity for scholars at all career stages to discuss their work and to identify key avenues for further research. We anticipate that the symposium will lead to an edited collection, and significant future research collaborations.

We encourage a focus on comparative histories or national specificities, particularly those which capture previously unexamined experiences of those affected by HIV. Themes may include AIDS and HIV in relation to young people, women, and families, immigration, sex workers, and national politics, and the position of transnational networks and North American influences within Europe. These are suggestions only: we look forward to seeing what further themes may emerge. We will aim to include papers focusing on a variety of different European settings.

The symposium will be held in London on Thursday 19th July 2018, towards the end of a month-long public Festival of AIDS Cultures and Histories taking place in London and Amsterdam.

Please note that the symposium will follow a workshop format, with pre-circulated papers.

If you are interested in participating, please send up to 500 words, no later than 29 January 2018 to: HistoriesOfAids@gmail.com

This should be a summary of the research you would like to share and discuss at the symposium, highlighting its geographical focus and key themes.