ENGAGING BAUDRILLARD International Conference

4-6th September 2006, Swansea University, Wales  UK

Download Baudrillard_programme (PDF)

Keynote addresses

• Mike Gane, Loughborough University, England
• Douglas Kellner, University of California, Los Angeles USA
• Mark Poster, University of California, Irvine USA
  

Confirmed speakers include

• John Armitage, University of Northumbria, England
• Ian Buchanan, Cardiff University, Wales
• Rex Butler, University of Queensland, Australia
• lan Cholodenko, University of Sydney, Australia
• Gerry Coulter, Bishops University, Canada
• Gary Genosko, Lakehead University, Canada
• Paul Hegarty, University College Cork, Ireland
• Andrew Wernick, Trent University, Canada

 Introducing the Conference

This conference was the first major international, multi-disciplinary conference devoted to Jean Baudrillard’s work to be held in the United Kingdom.

Jean Baudrillard is one of the world’s most important and celebrated contemporary thinkers; the author of over 30 books and innumerable articles; and the inventor of a vast array of influential concepts and suggestive strategies that have touched upon an extremely diverse range of fields.

Although his work was initially received within the context of debates over postmodernism, the last decade has witnessed a more rounded and nuanced appreciation of the full complexity of Baudrillard’s oeuvre.  The enrichment of our engagement with his ideas, concepts, and strategies has been accomplished in a variety of disciplinary contexts. However, the proliferation of engagements across a host of academic disciplines and non-academic arenas poses the problem of how we can gather together and make sense of the numerous versions of Baudrillard.

Accordingly, the conference aims were to explore how Baudrillard’s work has been taken up within different disciplines and contexts; to consider how these relate to one another; and to ponder their likely legacy. Thus, the conference brought together people from all disciplines who engaged with Baudrillard’s ideas, including enthusiasts, critics, and sceptics.

Download Baudrillard_programme (PDF)