Call for Papers: Relations with the ‘Other’: Ethnocentrism and Alterity. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Identity, Difference, and Cultural Encounters
Conference Date: 24th and 25th September 2026
Conference Venue: Marietta Blau Saal, University of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria
Deadline for abstract submissions: 30th April 2026
The concept of the “Other” lies at the heart of cultural, political, religious, anthropological, social and philosophical discourse. Whether in the context of colonial encounters, religious polemics, migration, gender relations, or ideological conflict, the way human societies define themselves is often shaped by how they perceive, and construct, their “Others.”
This conference aims to explore the dynamic and often fraught relationships with the “Other” through the lens of ethnocentrism and alterity. We invite critical engagement with both historical and contemporary forms of exclusion, marginalisation, and cultural projection, as well as reflections on hospitality, hybridisation, and dialogical encounters.
We welcome proposals from scholars from anthropology, history, philosophy, religious studies, political science, literature, sociology, and other related disciplines that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Ethnocentric paradigms in historiography, politics, or theology
- The construction of alterity in sacred texts and religious discourse
- Postcolonial perspectives on identity and cultural encounter
- Migration, borders, and the ethics of hospitality
- Representations of the “Other” in literature, film, or art
- Structuralism and the legacy of Lévi-Strauss in the study of alterity
- Feminist, queer, or subaltern readings of the “Other”
- Dialogical approaches and interfaith engagement
- Language, translation, and the epistemology of difference
- Violence and reconciliation in intercultural or interethnic contexts
We aim to foster a virbant dialogue that bridges disciplines and perspectives, encouraging new ways of understanding how societies construct and respond to difference, whether through exclusion, misunderstanding, conflict, or negotiation, and how these dynamics are shaped by cultural assumptions. We especially encourage interdisciplinary approaches and contributions that challenge traditional boundaries and offer innovative frameworks.
Submission Guidelines
Please send an abstract (250–300 words) and a brief biographical note (max 150 words) to: icsahcy1@gmail.com
Deadline for submissions: 30th April 2026
Papers may be presented in English or Italian or French. Selected papers will be considered for publication in a post-conference volume.
For more information, visit: http://icsah.eu
