Call for Papers
The conference theme, Contemporary Horizons in English Studies, casts a wide net, encompassing diverse areas and perspectives within the field. As we reflect on decades of growth in English studies and the 70-year history of our department, we also look toward the new horizons that continue to expand the boundaries of our discipline. Inspired by our department’s interdisciplinary spirit, the theme highlights a variety of research, teaching, and creative work taking place across English studies. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Department of English Studies at the University of Zadar, we warmly invite scholars and practitioners whose work is grounded in diverse areas, such as linguistics, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, literature, culture, media, film, literary translation and translation studies, to participate at the conference.
Over the past seventy years, English studies at the University of Zadar have evolved with the discipline itself. What began as a department focused primarily on literature and linguistics has grown to embrace new perspectives, methods, and areas of interest. Today, our scholars explore diverse fields and approaches, ranging from discourse and cultural studies, contemporary literature, translation, media and film, gaming, gender and popular culture to linguistics, language teaching, and teacher well-being. This diversity reflects both global developments in English studies and the department’s long tradition of openness and collaboration. In keeping with the conference theme, Contemporary Horizons in English Studies, we encourage participants to explore the shifting boundaries and emerging directions that define our field today.
We welcome proposals that engage with contemporary debates and explore innovative approaches, including but not limited to the following areas of interest:
- British and American Literature
- Literary and Cultural Theory
- Postcolonial Studies
- Gender Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Film, Media, and Popular Culture
- Literary Translation and World Literature
- General Linguistics
- Applied Linguistics
- Second Language Acquisition and Teaching
- Discourse, Identity, and Multilingualism
- Digital Humanities and New Media
Keynote Speakers
Stipe Grgas (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
Christina Gkonou (University of Essex, UK)
Presentation Format
Paper Presentation: 15 minutes, followed by a ten-minute discussion
Submission Guidelines
All submissions should be prepared in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Bio statement: up to 150 words
- Abstract: 200-300 words (excluding the references)
- Keywords: 3-5
- Language of the conference/submission: English
- Style of reference: MLA (9th edition)
Submit HERE.
Peer Review Process
All submissions will undergo blind review by the conference Scientific Committee. Proposals will be assessed based on their scholarly contribution, alignment with the conference theme, and the clarity, organization, and overall quality of the abstract.
Conference Fees
- Early bird registration fee: 110 EUR
- Late registration fee: 130 EUR
- Student early bird registration fee: 70 EUR
- Student late registration fee: 90 EUR
Confirmation of student status should be sent to the conference email address (ches@unizd.hr) upon registration.
The conference fee covers the conference materials, lunch and coffee breaks. All the authors and co-authors pay the conference fee. Payment will be made possible via University of Zadar’s webshop or bank transfer. Details to be announced soon.
Important Dates
- Deadline for proposal submission: April 15, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: by May 15, 2026
- Early bird registration fee payment: May 16, 2026 – June 15, 2026
- Late registration fee payment: June 16, 2026 – June 30, 2026
- Conference dates: September 18-19, 2026
Conference Proceedings and Publication
The conference plans to publish a book of proceedings. Specific details regarding submission formats, deadlines, and publication policies will be provided at a later date.