From early quests to discover new worlds to contemporary explorations of the frontiers of cyberspace, space and place play a defining role in global imagination. Intimately tied to our understanding of ourselves and others, our environment(s), and our institutions, space and place shape who we are and how we understand the world in which we live. From what physical or cultural vantages do we read, write, paint, understand social and business processes, engage with our environments, and imagine new or old spatial frontiers? How does occupying certain (or uncertain) spaces and places invigorate and/or frustrate our attempts to face the political, social, and scientific challenges of an increasingly globalized world?

The graduate community at URI invites submissions for presentations and panels pertaining to issues of space, place, and imagination. We anticipate a wide range of presentations from a variety of disciplines. Possible topics and areas of interest include, but are not restricted to:

• Cultural Uses of Space/ Place (Urban/ Rural Spaces, Cemeteries, Public Sculptures, Native Peoples’ Reservations, Internment/Refugee Camps, etc.) • Portrayals of Space/ Place (Geography, History, Cartography)
• Written and Spoken Uses of Space/ Place (Journalism, Mass media, Literatures)
• Environmental Spaces/ Places (Land, Oceans, Outer Space)
• Scientific Uses of Space (Medicine, Pharmacology, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, etc.)
• Arts and Uses of Space (Visual Arts, including Architecture, Film, Interior and Landscape Design, Drama, Dance, Photography, and Music)
• Virtual and Cyber-spaces
• The Body and Space/Place (Acting, Dance, Race, Class, Gender)
• Institutional Spaces/ Places (Education, Justice, Church, Business)

Please propose individual papers or panels, and indicate whether you are willing to moderate a panel. Panels of 3-4 presentations are especially welcome.

To propose a paper, please submit a cover page with your name; institutional affiliation;
contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email), a 250-word abstract of the paper; a roughly 100-word bio; and a detailed request for audiovisual equipment if needed.
Presentations will be limited to fifteen minutes (about seven double-spaced pages).

To propose a panel, please submit a cover page including the title of the panel and the names of presenters; a panel abstract of 150-250 words; a separate page with the names of presenters, their contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email) and institutional affiliation(s), and the titles of their presentations; and a 250-word abstract for each paper. Panels will be one hour and fifteen minutes long.

The conference committee requests the submission of materials in the body of an email or as an attachment in Word, text, or PDF document sent to Stefanie Head (stefanie_head@mail.uri.edu ). We are happy to answer any questions regarding the conference. Please contact Laurie Carlson (lcarlso2@cox.net).

Deadline for submissions is 8:00 a.m. Monday, 5 November 2007.

Notification of acceptance will be by Thursday, 29 November 2007.

There will be a registration fee for each individual selected to participate in the conference. This fee includes continental breakfast, a buffet luncheon, and a closing reception. Payment received by 1 March is to be in the amount of $20.00. After 1 March, the fee will be $25.00.