CFP: NYU Comp Lit Folklore Graduate Conference 2026

CALL FOR PAPERS: In a Conference Far, Far Away…Traversing Forms of the
Folkloric (NYU Department of Comparative Literature Graduate Student Conference)

 Date: Friday, May 1, 2026

Since its formation in the nineteenth century, Folklore Studies has
been seen as an inherently comparative and interdisciplinary field to
the point where some are left wondering whether it would be better
housed as a subfield of anthropology, ethnography, or literary
studies. Part of the reason for this uncertainty may lie in both the
breadth of materials categorized as relating to folklore studies (oral
or written folk tales, myths, songs, jokes, articles of clothing,
etc.) as well as the longstanding difficulty of defining “folklore”
itself.

“In a Conference Far, Far Away,” brings together graduate students to
present work that engages with and problematizes the category of
folklore. We invite graduate students (MA, MFA, and PhD) to submit
proposals for 15-20 minute presentations that explore and critically
reflect on the myriad dimensions of the folkloric.

Organized by NYU’s Comparative Literature Department, with the aim of
fostering interdisciplinary conversations, we welcome submissions from
a variety of fields and disciplines. Topics may include, but are not
limited to:

Memory; Oral history and embodied history; Speculative fiction
(horror, fantasy, science fiction, apocalypse, etc.); Mythos, magic,
and fairy tales; Revolution; Repression of folklore; Adaptation,
repetition, and appropriation; Material cultures; Museum studies;
Religion; Ritual and performance; Musicology; Nostalgia; Nationalism;
Eco-criticism

Please submit an abstract of 250 words and a short bio of 100 words to
nyufolkloreconference@gmail.com by March 1, 2026.

Participants will be notified by April 1, 2026.