Call for Presenters: Early Modern European Neurodivergence

Call for Contributors – Early Modern European Neurodivergence
August 3rd and 4th 2026, Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University

We welcome contributions to a conference on the topic of neurodivergence and early modern Europe. This accessible, hybrid event will examine neurodivergence in the period 1550-1750, across languages and cultures, including cross-cultural encounters between Europe and other continents. Topics might include:
• Representations of neurodivergence in early modern European writing
• Neurodivergent ways of engaging early modern texts, from stimming with books to
ADHDer responses to literature
• Indigenous neurodiversity studies
• Intersections between neurodivergence and other aspects of early modern Europe (for example religion, race, gender, social class)
• Early modern neurotrans studies
• Interviews with theatre practitioners
We welcome proposals (up to 150 words) and biographies of presenters (up to 100 words each) for 5-20 minute talks, posters, workshops, performances, and practical sessions on these themes. We want the conference to be as accessible as possible, so are keen to include sessions that might appeal to a variety of ways of engaging with literature. If you are proposing a practical session or performance that requires particular props or materials, please enquire about what we can provide.
We can cover presenters’ travel and accommodation if needed. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided at the conference. We also have a number of bursaries available to cover the cost of travel and accommodation for unwaged or student attendees who wish to come to the conference without presenting.
Presenters and attendees please fill out this form by 5pm BST 31st March 2026 :
https://forms.office.com/e/L6rnAcaL8F

If we receive many proposals we will give preference to those that fit the conference theme (neurodivergence in early modern Europe) and that provide a diversity of languages, cultures, and approaches. As we plan to publish a selection of essays from the conference with Bloomsbury publishers, the conference will include a workshop from Bloomsbury editors about the publishing process. This conference is part of the AMEND – Early Modern European Neurodivergence project at Swansea University, funded by The Wellcome Trust.

Any questions, please contact a member of the project team: Dr Laura Seymour (she/her) laura.seymour@swansea.ac.uk, Dr Bridget Bartlett (they/them)
bridget.bartlett@swansea.ac.uk; Vicky Hansly (she/her) victoria.hansly@swansea.ac.uk The medium of the conference will be English. All organisational materials (e.g. conference schedule, map of the rooms) will be provided in Welsh and English. If you wish to use the spoken Welsh language throughout the conference, please let us know via the Microsoft Form and we will arrange a Welsh interpreter.