Call for Papers [now closed]
Revisiting the Canon
The School of Art History at the University of St Andrews is delighted to announce the 2026 Postgraduate Symposium of Art and Culture.
This year’s symposium convenes around the theme of ‘Revisiting the Canon’. The canon refers to works that are conventionally accepted and perpetually revered. It directly and indirectly shapes how people encounter, experience, and understand art. Pausing to reflect on the constructed canon, this symposium poses two fundamental questions: what do we study as ‘art’ and ‘culture’, and how do we study them? The symposium uses these questions to push for investigation and examination of the current landscape of knowledge and explore possibilities for the future.
We warmly invite proposals for 15-minute papers that address subjects and topics related to ideas of the canon in the fields of art, culture, and heritage from postgraduate students and early career researchers from any discipline. Showcases of creative practice are also welcome.
Topics might include, but are not limited to:
Interrogating the concept of the canon
- The role of the canon in history
- The arbitrariness/subjectivity of the canon
- The relationship between historiography and canonicity
- Issues around authorship, authenticity, and originality
Challenging established narratives
- Hierarchies of subjects and materials
- Gender and queer histories, theories, and practices
- Centre-periphery model
- Postcolonial consideration of race, geography, and class
- Digital humanities
Case studies of ignored/erased/hidden histories
- Imperial legacies in local history
- Archival research of and about obscured materials
- Art histories and indigenous voices in a global context
- Interdisciplinary interpretations
Role of museums and institutions
- In upholding, subverting, and renegotiating the canon
- Intersectional approaches to art and institutions
Experiences in museums
- Examining curatorial and museological practices
- Strategies of expanding visitor experiences
- Accessibility and inclusivity of museum spaces
Pedagogical approaches and practices
- Relationship between art education and art historical knowledge
- Innovative pedagogical practices
- Reshaping the field with digital technologies
To submit a paper, please use this form to upload your abstract (maximum 250 words) and a 100 word bio. The deadline for submission is Friday 17 July 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by 4 September.
We welcome proposals from early career researchers, current and entrant PhD students, and all master’s students (taught and research).
Please note that the symposium will be in-person attendance only, and all speakers are expected to present their papers in St Andrews. We may be able to offer a small travel bursary subject to availability, but it is not guaranteed.
This symposium will also feature a digital display of posters. The call for posters will be circulated mid-August 2026. We warmly invite submission from anyone, especially those unable to travel to St Andrews to deliver a full paper. Master’s and entrant PhD students are especially encouraged to submit a poster proposal.
All are welcome to attend the event. Keep an eye on our website and socials for more information regarding registration. For any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to St Andrews!
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]