CfP: Conference "Sounds of Subversion: Queer musicologies 2", Université de Tours, 9–11. December 2026 (Deadline: 31.05.2026)

Sounds of Subversion : Queer musicologies 2
Louise Barrière, Catherine Deutsch, Apolline Gouzi et Jérémy Michot
December 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2026, University of Tours

Following the first international conference ‘Musicologies queer : de l’invisible au déjà-là’ and the seminar ‘Pensée straight, (im)pensée queer,’ the Musi·queer research group is organising a new international symposium, ‘Sounds of Subversion: Queer Musicologies 2.’ Fitting into a contemporary dynamic aimed at deepening and broadening queer approaches in music, this second edition, not restrictive in terms of periods, corpus, fields or methods, offers a critical and methodological exploration into the study of sound, performance, musical sources and music. The conference also aims to support all types of research and offer a platform to researchers, at all stages of their careers, who wish to explore gender or sexuality dissidence at the intersection of queer theory, musicology and music studies more generally. Finally, this event seeks to question the traditional categories and epistemological frameworks of historiography and academic musical knowledge. How do queer studies foster the renewal of theoretical regimes, question the normative implications of common analytical discourses, and encourage alternative ways of describing, listening to, producing, and appreciating music? These questions will initiate a discussion on the relationship between academic discourse and queer subjectivities, more broadly aiming to challenge often unquestioned discursive hierarchies in musicology.

‘Sounds of Subversion: Queer Musicologies 2.’ aims to position queer musicology at the core of contemporary methodological and theoretical reflection, with a focus on analytical innovativeness, critical reflection on musicological discourse, as well as alternative forms of research, for example, oriented towards performance or creation. We welcome work from all the humanities and social sciences (cultural anthropology, cultural studies, musicology, history, popular music studies, sociology, sound studies, etc.), in French and English.

Submission of abstracts: Abstracts (c. 500 words) accompanied by a short biography should be sent to the organising committee (louise.barriere[at]univ-amu[dot]fr, catherine.deutsch[at]univ-lorraine[dot]fr, avlhcg2[at]cam[d, jeremy.michot[at]univ-tours[dot]fr) before 31 May 2026. The final programme will be sent to participants in June 2026.

Scientific committee: Louise Barrière (University of Aix-Marseille), Catherine Deutsch (University of Lorraine / IUF), Apolline Gouzi (University of Cambridge), Jérémy Michot (University of Tours) and the Musi·queer research group.

Further information can be found here.