Call for Papers: Translating Chinese Masculinities: Chinese Men in Global Contexts

Funded by British Academy and the School of Chinese, University of Hong Kong

Convenors: Derek Hird (University of Westminster) and Geng Song (University of Hong Kong)

Dates: 12-13 December 2014

Venue: The University of Hong Kong

The main purpose of the conference is to examine depictions and practices of contemporary Chinese masculinities beyond China’s borders. It aims to formulate new theorisations of Chinese masculinities that take account of the reshapings of Chinese masculinities in foreign settings. Through its focus on developing innovative interdisciplinary methodologies and conceptual frameworks, the conference will make a theoretical contribution to the field of men and masculinities that will go beyond existing cultural histories of Chinese masculinities to develop a critique of dominant Anglo-American models of masculinity. Through the conference and a subsequent edited volume, the participants will forge new understandings of Chinese men and masculinities in differing global contexts.

Possible topics include but not limited to:

1. Transnational masculinities in Chinese film and media
2. The interplay and negotiation between manhood and nationhood in a global context
3. Representations of Chinese men in non-Chinese cultures
4. Representations of foreign men by Chinese media
5. Perceptions and practices of Chinese men in non-Chinese cultures
6. Intersections between ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, age and class in Chinese masculinities in non-Chinese cultures
7. Bodily concepts and practices of Chinese men in global contexts
8. ‘Offshore’ Chinese business, sports, political and military masculinities
9. Chinese masculinities as travelling cultures

Flights and accommodation will be provided for non-Hong Kong based participants. Interested parties please send an abstract to d.hird@westminster.ac.uk and gsong@hku.hk by 31 August, 2014. Doctoral students are encouraged to apply.