Caucasus University (Georgia), in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Comparative Thought and Literature, is delighted to host the international interdisciplinary conference “Authoritarianism Reimagined: Narratives, Cultures, Continuities, Ruptures, and Shifts, Past and Present.”
October 15-16, 2026.
Venue: Caucasus University, Tbilisi, Georgia (hybrid format – in person and online).
Concept
Authoritarianism is not only a political system; it is also a cultural force, a narrative, and a lived experience. This conference, to be held in November 2026, explores the multifaceted aspects of contemporary authoritarian movements.
In recent decades, authoritarianism has resurfaced in new and unexpected forms. No longer confined to traditional political models, it emerges through cultural narratives, media ecologies, symbolic politics, propaganda, hybrid wars, and global crises, to name but a few. The legacies of the twentieth century persist, while contemporary societies undergo ruptures and reconfigurations under the influence of transnational shifts that demand critical reassessment.
Suggested themes include, but are not limited to:
- Authoritarian narratives and legitimacy-making
- Cultural and symbolic dimensions of authoritarian power
- Continuities and ruptures from past authoritarian regimes
- Transnational shifts and comparative perspectives
- Spaces of resistance, dissent, and reimagination
Scope
This international interdisciplinary conference welcomes contributions from political science and international studies, history and cultural studies, literature, philosophy, sociology, media and communication studies, the arts, music, and performance. By bringing together scholars from the humanities, social sciences, and policy studies, the conference seeks to reassess authoritarianism as both a political structure and a cultural phenomenon, and to consider how its shifting forms shape societies across borders.
The programme will feature keynote lectures, thematic panels, and roundtable discussions designed to foster dialogue across disciplines. Contributions are welcome from researchers and practitioners at all career stages.
November 2026 | Venue Caucasus University.
Call for Papers
We invite proposals for papers and panels for the International Conference Authoritarianism Reimagined, to be held in November 2026.
The conference aims to reassess authoritarianism by examining its cultural narratives, historical continuities, and political transformations across disciplines and regions.
Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts: 250–300 words for individual papers
- Biography: Short bio (100 words) including affiliation and contact details
- Deadline for submissions: 1 February 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 31 March, 2026
Please send proposals to: grc@cu.edu.ge
The conference welcomes contributions from scholars at all career stages and across disciplines. Selected papers may be considered for publication in an edited volume or special journal issue - OA.
The official conference language is English. The conference is planned as an in-person event with a limited number of virtual presentations, depending on circumstances.
All submitted conference papers will undergo a rigorous review process overseen by our International Program Board, composed of distinguished scholars and experts across relevant disciplines. Each submission will be evaluated for its scholarly quality, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the conference themes.
The International Program Board will make final decisions regarding acceptance or rejection. Authors will be notified of the outcome along with any feedback or recommendations for improvement. This process ensures a fair, transparent, and high-standard selection of contributions from around the world.