Queen’s University Belfast, 8-13 June 2025

We are delighted to announce a call for papers for the INSAP XIII conference Celestial Connections Across Time and Space. This conference aims to bring together scholars, artists, and scientists from various disciplines to explore the multifaceted relationships between the skies - be it the stars, planets, or other celestial phenomena - and their influence across cultures, histories, and fields of study. INSAP’s purpose from its inception has been to foster a dialogue that bridges the gap between the sciences and the arts, encouraging a holistic understanding of the universe.

Themes and Topics:

We invite proposals for papers, presentations and posters on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Astronomy and Cosmology Through the Ages
  How different civilisations have understood and interpreted the cosmos, including the development of astronomical knowledge, cosmological models and their influence on scientific progress.
• Astro-Architecture and Celestial Alignments
  Studies on ancient and modern architecture designed with astronomical significance, such as megalithic structures, sacred sites, and observatories aligned with celestial events.
• Art and the Celestial: The depiction of celestial bodies and phenomena in visual arts, literature, and music across different historical periods and cultures.
• Philosophy and the Cosmos: Philosophical interpretations of the universe.
• Literature and Myth: The portrayal of celestial events in literature, myths, and legends; how the skies have inspired narratives and storytelling.
• History of Science: The development of astronomical knowledge, key figures, and their contributions to understanding the universe.
• Space Exploration and Human Imagination
  Discussions on the impact of space exploration on contemporary culture, ethics, and the future of human civilisation, including the role of science fiction and speculative narratives.
• Interdisciplinary Approaches: Combining methodologies from different fields to explore celestial phenomena.
• Environmental and Ethical Implications of Space Exploration
  Consideration of the environmental impact of space missions and the ethical questions surrounding the exploration and exploitation of outer space.

Submission Guidelines:

We welcome submissions from established scholars, early-career researchers, graduate students, practitioners in the arts and anyone interested in the sky. Submissions include:

• Individual Paper: Abstracts of up to 300 words and short bio of the author(s).
• Artistic Presentations or Performances: A description of the work (up to 300 words) and any technical requirements.

Key Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 22 December 2024
• Notification of Acceptance: 20 January 2025

Submission Process:

All submissions should include the following:

1. Title of the presentation.
2. Name(s) and affiliation(s) of the author(s).
3. Contact details.
4. A brief bio (up to 150 words).

Please submit your abstracts and proposals via the Proposal Submission Form:

Link to submission form

Conference Publication:

Papers from the conference will be considered for publication in a special journal issue of Culture and Cosmos.

Contact Information:

For any queries, please contact the conference organising committee at insapxiii@gmail.com

or visit the conference website.

📜 Call for Contributions for the edited collection tentatively titled  "Medicine at the Fringes in the Northern World (1000-1500): Manuscripts, Language, and Society" 📜

The Crossing Frontiers Team 🌐 are thrilled to share a unique opportunity for scholars and enthusiasts to contribute to this captivating project, an initiative of our member Dr Luthien Cangemi, currently under consideration by the Medieval Institute Publications and De Gruyter.

ℹ️ Find all the details in the attached Call for Contribution. If you're passionate about medieval medicine, we invite you to participate and spread the word among your colleagues and networks.

Your engagement is vital in fostering our scholarly community. For any queries or further information, don't hesitate to contact Luthien.

Reach out to us if you'd like us to promote similar initiatives or events.

Let's delve into the fascinating world of medieval medicine together! 💡💊