CrimSL 2025 Graduate Student Conference: The Politics of Resistance and Belonging

The Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Toronto is pleased to invite graduate students to the 2025 Annual Graduate Student Conference! This year's theme is The Politics of Resistance and Belonging.

This free, one-day conference will take place in person at the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, Canadiana Gallery building, University of Toronto, 14 Queens Park Cres. W.

The purpose of the conference is to shed light on the nature of resistance, how it relates to belonging and other terms like solidarity, resilience and rebellion, engage in conversations about coercive powers of exclusion, use of violent measures, and consider the tensions and conflicting messages that exist when people engage in resistance and are subjected to criminalization. 

The conference is meant to provide attendees with new analytical insights on the contradictions inherent and implied, in resisting and belonging, as understood from criminological, legal, and sociolegal, anthropological and geographical perspectives, for example. The theme is also centered on the disparate impact that colonial histories, legal, pseudo-legal, and informal practices have on racial, ethnic, and political groups, and which ultimately create ‘us versus them’ dichotomies. 

This is an exciting opportunity for PhD and advanced MA students to present research and works of art within this theme for feedback among supportive peers.

Call for submissions

We welcome submissions until December 20, 2024, from criminology, sociolegal studies, sociology, law, psychology, history, science and technology studies, anthropology, public policy, geography and related disciplines.  

Applications should be submitted using the online submission form.

Topics

Topics include, but are not limited to: 

• How does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, both uphold and undermine a democratic or undemocratic society? 
• How does ‘belonging,’ broadly construed, relate to a democratic or undemocratic society? Can it exist beyond borders? 
• How does the use of ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, relate to terms like resilience and rebellion? 
• Does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, require solidarity? 
• Does ‘resistance,’ broadly construed, necessarily involve the practice of othering 
• What is the relationship between resistance, belonging, othering and colonialism? How is belonging or othering informed by colonialism? 
• How does the use of violence on the part of the resisters or those who attempt to subdue them come into play? 
• What are the implications of the criminalization of resistance from a local, national and international perspective? 
• What is the nature of repression in resistance and belonging?

Timeline

• Registration opens: December 12, 2024
• Submission deadline: December 20, 2024 
• Notification of selection: January 10, 2025 
• Conference date: April 25, 2025 

Register to attend

Registration for general attendance at the conference will open closer to the event date.

There is no fee to attend or present. 

Questions?

Please direct all questions to gradconf.crimsl@utoronto.ca.