Cfp: "Foucault: 25 Years On," Centre for Post-colonial Studies, University of South Australia, June 25, 2009.

Update: Thanks to Anonymous who pointed out that the conference is slated for the University of South Australia (www.unisa.edu.au) and not the other UNISA, the University of South Africa (www.unisa.ac.za). Original Post (March 1, 2009): Twenty five years after his death, reflecting on Foucault is an enormous task. His influence permeates disparate and innumerable fields and informs so much of our thinking, along with that of many great theorists who have followed him. Foucault’s influence is one of ramifying and far reaching interdisciplinary complexity, but he draws us together too, providing a common theoretical baseline to diverse disciplinary endeavours. He shows us the connections between things. Just as his life and his work connects up theoretical pursuits as diverse as queer theory and postcolonial studies, so his influence draws together and draws bridges between theorists. In so doing, Foucault’s legacy muddies the theoretical waters, forcing strange synergies and theoretical configurations such as the antifoundational humanist. Growing from the murky ferment of French colonial history, the father of poststructuralism’s story is as complex as that encounter, and his legacy is as mutating, unsettling and transformative. A reflection on Foucault needs to accommodate a consideration of the enormity of the shadow which such a legacy casts over continuing intellectual production. We invite proposals (300 words or less) responding to the above provocation, particularly those which engage with the Foucault’s influence on the intellectual production of the author. Selected papers will be presented at a conference to be held on 25 June 2009, with peer reviewed proceedings to be published online. Proposals should include an abstract, a short biography of the author/s, name, institutional affiliation and email contact details. Further details and enquiries: Ian Goodwin-Smith, Ian.GoodwinSmith@unisa.edu.au, 8302 4515; CPCS website: http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/cps/default.asp; CPCS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Hawke-Cpcs/1405028034.