Theme: Music and Dance Research in Times of Crises

The emergence and steady expansion of research addressing theoretically and methodologically diverse contexts of crises and conflicts around the globe (e.g., Pettan 1998, Araujo 2006, Ochoa 2006, Dirksen 2012, Ruiz 2021, Quintero Rivera 2021, Levignat 2021, Garcia 2021) constitutes a groundbreaking trend in music and dance studies (Rice 2014). Deeply committed to working closely and horizontally with the communities of practice to overcome the harsh and often predatory pressures on their lived realities, such initiatives have informed a plethora of more specialized subfields. These include areas of research—often referred to as applied, medical, participatory, and engaged (eco-) ethnomusicology/ethnochoreology—in which communities and researchers develop collaborative strategies in search of more sustainable forms of coexistence.

This session will address the ethics of care for both researchers and the people with whom they work. For 2026, we focus on those living in the face of conflict, war, and violence in different parts of the world. Accordingly, the presentations will explore the following questions:

• How can all parties involved cope with various conflict situations through their collaborative actions, potentials, and pitfalls to be addressed in the course of their joint work?

• How can we build bridges between researchers and performers living in countries in conflict?

• How can we apply activist collaborative ethnomusicology and engage with musicians and dancers living in war and conflict zones in our research?

• How can we help archive materials that are in danger of being lost?

Submission Guidelines

We welcome proposals for the session from ICTMD members around the world. The proposal should have: a clear title, names of collaborators (if any) and an abstract (250 to 300 words) of what you wish to talk about. The proposals may include a variety of formats such as film, video, PowerPoint, performance, panel discussion, or other experimental modes.

Selection Committee

Proposals will be evaluated and selected by the members of the Committee for ICTMD Dialogues:

• Tan Sooi Beng (Malaysia, Chair)
• Samuel Araujo (Brazil)
• Christian Onyeji (Nigeria)
• Silvia Citro (Argentina)
• Marcia Ostashewski (Canada)
• Mayco Santaella (Malaysia, Argentina)
• Shzr Ee Tan (Singapore/UK)
• Sarah Weiss (Austria/USA)

Timeline

• Deadline for submissions: 30 September 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 15 October 2026
• Announcement of preliminary programme: 31 October 2026
• Online presentation: End of November 2026

Please send all proposals to Tan Sooi Beng (tansooibeng@ictmd.org) by 30 September 2026.