CfP: CFP: EUPOP 2026 – Spectacle Revisited (1.-3.07.2026, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland) Deadline: 28.02.202
CFP: EUPOP 2026 – Spectacle Revisited
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), Pori, Finland, July 1–3, 2026
Individual paper and panel contributions are invited for the thirteenth annual international conference of the European Popular Culture Association (EPCA), to be held at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Pori, Finland, July 1–3, 2026.
The theme of the conference is Spectacle Revisited. Returning to Guy Debord’s widely cited work The Society of the Spectacle, the conference welcomes contributions addressing the spectacular—that is, the mediatization of cultural forms, (mega)events, performance, and the allure of “the popular.” In line with the conference’s main theme, particular emphasis will be placed on the production and remediation of events, including music festivals, sports events, blockbuster films, and exhibitions. In addition, the organizers encourage proposals exploring fans and fan communities as producers, interpreters, and challengers of the spectacular. Other possible themes include rethinking the spectacular in the digital age, especially the new expressions and aesthetics brought forth by the rapid development of open-access, easy-to-use AI tools. The aforementioned topics, however, are not exclusive, and the organizers also welcome proposals within the broader popular cultural framework, including—but not limited to—media, fashion, celebrity culture, and popular literature and comics.
All individual papers and complete panels will be subject to peer review. Proposals for individual presentations should be suitable for 20-minute papers; panel proposals are limited to 90 minutes in total. For panel proposals, please provide a short description of the panel along with individual abstracts. Poster presentations and video projections are also warmly welcomed.
There will be opportunities for networking and publishing within the EPCA. Presenters at EUPOP 2026 will be encouraged to develop their papers for publication in several Intellect journals, including the EPCA’s Journal of European Popular Culture. Journal editors will work closely with strand convenors. A full list of Intellect journals is available at: http://www.intellectbooks.com.
Proposals—consisting of a maximum 300-word abstract, your full name, affiliation, and contact details (as a Word file, not a PDF)—should be submitted to Dr. Kimi Kärki (kimi.karki[at]uniarts[dot]fi) by 28 February 2026. Receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged by e-mail. The draft conference programme will be announced in May 2026, along with registration and accommodation details. The conference fee will be 200 euros (students) and 250 euros (others). The fee includes coffee breaks, lunches, an evening reception and dinner, and EPCA membership (including one sample issue of the Journal of European Popular Culture, Intellect Books). For information about fee payment, please contact EPCA Treasurer Tommi Iivonen (ttiivo[at]utu[dot]fi).
EUPOP 2026 keynote speakers will be announced in February 2026.
The European Popular Culture Association
The European Popular Culture Association (EPCA) promotes the study of popular culture from, in, and about Europe. Popular culture involves a wide range of activities, material forms and audiences. EPCA aims to examine and discuss these different aspects as they relate both to Europe and to Europeans across the globe, whether contemporary or historical.
EUPOP 2026 is organised by:
European Popular Culture Association (EPCA): https://epcablog.wordpress.com/
International Institute for Popular Culture (IIPC): http://iipc.utu.fi/