May 31-June 3, 2023 in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
Hosted by the Film Studies Department at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
http://scsmi-online.org/conference
Deadline for proposals: Midnight (EST) December 12, 2022
The Society for Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image (SCSMI) invites proposals for
presentations at its annual conference to be held May 31-June 3, 2023, at the University
of North Carolina Wilmington in the United States. SCSMI is an interdisciplinary
organization of scholars interested in cognitive, philosophical, aesthetic, historical,
psychological, neuroscientific, and evolutionary approaches to the analysis of film and
other moving image media. Presentations should facilitate the society’s mission: to foster
an interdisciplinary dialogue between moving image theorists, historians, critics, and
philosophers, and scientificallyoriented researchers working on moving image media.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Types of Proposals
Participants may propose a long paper presentation, short paper presentation,
poster/demonstration, or author-meets-critics panel. In some cases, presenters may be
asked to revise their proposal for a different format. For all proposals, presenters should
plan to physically attend the conference, although remote presentations may be allowed
in cases of emergency or disability.
Long Paper Presentation
A 50-minute session divided between a 25-minute presentation and a 25-minute
Q&A. This format is reserved for well-developed projects that present
conceptually complicated ideas or extensive research data.
Short Paper Presentation
A 25-minute session divided between a presentation of 15 minutes or less with the
residual time used for discussion. This format is suitable for works in progress or
research that may be presented more succinctly.
Poster Presentation or Demonstration
Any form of research display or demonstration. Posters/demonstrations may
present empirical research, scholarship with a single question or thesis, short
movies, essay films, or interactive installations. Presenters will display and
discuss their research during a plenary session.
Author-Meets-Critics Panel
A pre-constituted panel focusing on outstanding publications of interest to the
society, such as monographs or empirical studies offering important new insights.
Proposals include names of the panel chair, participating author, and 1-3 critics
who have agreed to serve as panel members. The author of the work should not be the panel proposer or chair.
Only works published between March 2022 and
September 2023 will be considered for such panels.
Submission and Evaluation Procedures
Submit proposals by midnight (EST) December 12, 2022, through Oxford Abstracts at
https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/4454/submitter. Late proposals or those that do not
fulfill proposal requirements will not be considered. You should not have previously
made your presentation elsewhere.
Proposals include:
Title
Format (long paper, short paper, poster presentation/demonstration, or author-
meets-critics panel)
Presenter(s) name(s)
Biographical statement for each presenting author (up to 75 words)
Abstract (75-150 words) for the conference program
Proposal (500-800 words)
Bibliography of key sources (up to 5; MLA or APA format)
The conference program committee reviews and selects proposals blindly based on merit,
according to the following criteria:
The appropriateness of the topic to the interests of SCSMI
The conceptual clarity and intellectual rigor of the project
The project’s contribution to current understanding
The carefulness and thoroughness of the proposal
Presenters must be current members of the Society. Nonmembers may submit a proposal
but, if accepted, they must join SCSMI by March 15, 2023, or acceptance will be
withdrawn.
The Society for the Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image is dedicated to welcoming
and encouraging all participants, regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, religion, and other such
characteristics. We actively seek to enhance the diversity of our membership and
encourage research in areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Visit the website
for the full SCSMI Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Anti-
Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
TRAVEL AWARDS
SCSMI will sponsor three travel awards for presenters in the amount of $1000
apiece. You are eligible for a travel award if you fit one of the following criteria:
- It is your first-time presenting in person at an SCSMI conference, or
- Your paper addresses issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g. ethnicity,
race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, disability,
neurodivergence, religion, and other such characteristics) from the perspective of
cognitive film studies, or
- Your employment circumstances make it financially difficult to attend the
conference (You are a student, an adjunct, or a part-time employee; you lack
travel funds or come from a university in a developing nation; the cost of travel or
some other such circumstance makes travel financially difficult), or - You are a member of an “underrepresented group” (defined by ethnicity, race,
sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, disability, neurodivergence,
religion, and other such characteristics).
Those applying for a travel award must submit a brief personal statement (300 words or
fewer) addressing one or more of the four criteria listed above, which are
nonhierarchical. Each application will be evaluated holistically based on the criteria. The
application for the travel award is included in the proposal submission portal here.
VENUE
The Film Studies Department at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)
is proud to host the conference. One of the premiere departments at UNCW, Film Studies
combines critical studies with production, and, in Fall 2020, launched integrated
MA/MFA programs. The department also hosts the Visions Film Festival and Conference
and the Film Matters journal and has a robust working relationship with EUE Screen
Gems Studios, the Cucalorus Film Festival, and area filmmaking professionals. A
Research 2 public institution, UNCW is consistently recognized for academic excellence
by publications such as U. S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.
Conference participants may choose to extend their stay in the coastal resort area in order
to enjoy beaches, Wilmington’s historic downtown, the Cape Fear River area, the
Battleship North Carolina, boating and kayaking, Airlie Gardens, the North Carolina
Aquarium, walking tours, and other nearby sites.
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is closest and is served by Delta, American,
United, and Avelo airlines. Other nearby airports include MYR (1.5 hrs. by car), RDU
(2.5 hrs.), and CLT (3.5 hrs.)
OTHER INFORMATION
Notifications of acceptance will be made by February 10, 2023. The conference
registration deadline is March 31, 2023, although late registrations will be allowed for a
higher fee.
For more information about SCSMI, to join, or to learn about membership costs and
privileges, visit https://scsmi-online.org.
Further questions about the conference or submission process should be addressed to
scsmi2023@uncw.edu.