Memorialization:
Theory, Methods, Goals, and Ethics
March 14 - 15, 2025
University of Mississippi
Conference Topic
Memorialization
Scholars from many fields develop and study memorials and the process of memorialization. Some scholars work on the contextualization of existing monuments. Others create art installations and educational displays in museums and memorials in public spaces, and still others examine historical trends and the interplay of psychological, cultural, legal, and institutional influences on the memorials themselves, the memorialization process, and how people use and interact with them. But scholarship on the theory and practice of memorialization largely proceeds within specific fields. Fields across the humanities and social sciences (1) have their own methods, goals, and conceptual/theoretical tools, (2) examine different types of cases, and (3) engage with different populations of subjects, partners, and communities. The ethical questions, challenges, and approaches vary along with the nature of the work. This two-day interdisciplinary conference features headline speakers from five disciplines, and includes receptions, meals, and outings. We welcome submissions from any field addressing the ethics, importance, and process of memorials and memorialization.
Conference Details
March 14-15
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS
The conference is set to begin at 9am on Friday, March 14 and run through 7pm on Saturday, March 15 at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. It will comprise headline lectures, outings, meals, receptions, and, of course, concurrent sessions for successful submissions.
Paper presentations will be ~20 minutes in length, allowing for 10 minutes of Q&A.
Workshops may be structured according to the presenter's preferences. By default, aim for a ~30 minute presentation followed by ~20 minutes for discussion.
The offered outings are set to include:
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Campus Civil Rights Tour
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Campus Slavery and Memorialization Tour
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Black History at Rowan Oak Tour
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There is no registration fee; this cost has been generously covered by the NEH.
Headline Speakers
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Colleen Murphy (Law)
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne
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author of The Conceptual Foundations of Transitional Justice
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Derek Alderman (Geography)
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University of Tennessee
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author of Civil Rights Memorials and the Geography of Memory
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Janet Donohoe (Philosophy)
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University of West Georgia
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author of Remembering Places
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Daniel Levy (Sociology)
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SUNY at Stony Brook
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author of Human Rights and Human Memory
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Guy Beiner (History)
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Boston College
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author of Forgetful Remembrance
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Travel and Lodging
The nearest major airport to Oxford is Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Memphis, TN, roughly one hour and 15 minutes from campus. You can also attempt to fly into Tupelo, MS which is 50 minutes from campus.
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For transport to/from Memphis, you can look into booking a university shuttle depending on your arrival/departure times. This option is cheap and reliable, but as the conference is over Spring Break, you should check their availability well in advance. Alternatively, you may just want to rent a car.
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We have a hotel block at the Tru by Hilton with shuttle service to campus. Use this link to book your room https://group.trubyhilton.com/4hvh5q. (Hotels within walking distance to campus are mostly booked.)
Conference Directors
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Deborah Mower (Philosophy), University of Mississippi
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Carolyn Freiwald (Anthropology), University of Mississippi
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Patrick Hopkins (Bioethics and Psychiatry), Millsaps College and University of Mississippi Medical Center
Conference Schedule
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Check-In (Farrington Gallery)
8:00 – 8:50 am Breakfast (Farrington Gallery
9:00 – 9:50 Commencement (Room 209)
10:00 am – 11:15 Concurrent Session 1 (A, B, C)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm Primary Speaker 1: Law (Room 209)
12:30 – 1:20 pm Lunch (Farrington Gallery)
1:30 – 2:45 pm Concurrent Session 2 (A, B, C)
3:00 – 4:30 pm Memorialization Project Outings
4:45 – 6:00 pm Primary Speaker 2: Geography (Room 209)
6:00 – 7:00 pm College of Liberal Arts Reception (Farrington Gallery)
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
8:00 – 8:50 am Book Table (Farrington Gallery)
8:00 – 8:50 am Breakfast (Farrington Gallery)
9:00 am – 10:45 pm Concurrent Session 3 (Interdisciplinary Workshops) (A, B, C, D)
11:00 am – 12:15 pm Primary Speaker 3: Philosophy (Room 209)
12:30 – 1:20 pm Lunch (Ballroom Lobby)
1:30 – 2:45 pm Primary Speaker 4: Sociology (Room 209)
3:00 – 4:15 pm Concurrent Session 4 (A, B, C, D)
4:30 – 5:45 pm Primary Speaker 5: History (Room 209)
6:00 – 7:00 pm School of Law Reception (Farrington Gallery)