CfP: PROTEST! Expression, Organization and Impact in a Central and Eastern European Perspective

Conference organised by the Johann Gottfried Herder-Research Council and European Solidarity Centre, Gdańsk, 22-24 June 2026

Individuals and groups respond to perceived injustices and grievances with protest. The forms of expression are diverse and interact with the conditions defined by social and political opportunity structures. Protest is a central instrument of social negotiation processes related to participation and co-determination. It thrives on publicity and attention, yet it is – especially in authoritarian contexts – often accompanied by less visible practices of resistance that take place in everyday life or in subversive, hidden forms.

Protest manifests itself not only in rallies and marches but also in artistic forms of expression: in the visual arts, in literature, and in performance. Numerous narratives refer to the evaluation and appropriation of rebellious behaviour.

The conference aims to focus on various forms of protest and resistance, their structural conditions and consequences, as well as their (current and retrospective) legitimization vs. condemnation. While protest is a global phenomenon, we are focusing on contributions that explore its manifestations in Central and Eastern Europe across different historical periods (from the early modern era to the present). We will also accept papers addressing theoretical and methodological aspects of protest.

The event is interdisciplinary in nature, as is the topic itself, and encompasses the disciplines of history, political science, cultural anthropology, sociology, literary studies, musicology, or art history. Contributions may be historical or contemporary in nature.

Possible approaches and topics:

• Interpretations and evaluations (what can protest be?) – from peaceful participation movements and emancipatory self-empowerment to violent or radicalized forms of resistance
• Processes of negotiation and the role/effectiveness of protest initiators
• Political substructures as resistance to state structures
• Petitions and other forms of civic engagement
• Transnational protest and its cross-border diffusion
• Exclusionary and discriminatory protest movements
• Narratives and perspectives (e.g., emancipatory histories of the oppressed vs. narratives of uprising)
• Forms and formats of protest (material, symbolic, performative)
• Visual and acoustic dimensions (symbols, sounds, images)
• Emotions and affect in protest
• The role of violence and repression in protest dynamics
• Appropriations and re-appropriations of protest (political and cultural)

Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and should be submitted by 10 January 2026 to:

https://conf.isgv.de/conftool/

We will endeavor to cover the costs for accommodation and travel for a limited number of participants. Should you be interested in funding, please inform us in your application.

If you have any further questions, please contact: protest2026@isgv.de

The organizing team is looking forward to receiving your abstract.

Paulina Gulińska-Jurgiel
Jörg Hackmann
Piotr Kocyba
Grzegorz Piotrowski
Ira Spieker