Xxi Symbiogenesis Symposium

CALLOUT FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS!

Responding to the theme ’Symbiogenesis - In the Between: Neuroqueer theory & the Posthuman’

This symposium aims to nurture space for academic discourse and creative play with neuroqueer theory and the posthuman around our theme of ‘Symbiogenesis – In the between’.

We are aiming to stitch new sight lines between neuroqueer theories and practices and posthuman theories – drawing connections between theoretical siblings that each aim to disrupt, trouble, deconstruct, crip, queer and hack harmful binaries and their normativitites – The neuroqueer and the posthuman being both ‘critters in a queer litter’ (Haraway, 2016, 105). The key question this symposium takes up is the relation between neuroqueer theory, posthumanism, crip theory and de-colonial practices and the ways each theory and practice overlap and differ. In discussing these overlaps and divergences we hope to nurture a generative space for developing ways of moving together – making kin.

We are looking for academic and/or activist presentations/papers and creative practice based talks that discuss, respond to or question any of the below provocations:

  • Neuroqueering queer creative practice
  • Anti-colonial, neuroqueer practice
  • Posthuman subject/object
  • Neuroqueering the posthuman
  • Post-identity + speculative futures
  • The non-human, more-than-human, alien and the other
  • Neuroqueer + CRIP posthuman subjectivities
  • CRIP creative practices
  • Neuroqueer/CRIP care
  • De-colonising technology
  • Neuroqueering/cripping technology
  • Technological kin and care

We welcome submissions from early career researchers, para-academics, non-academics, artists, writers, designers, scientists, activists and anything in-between. Our hope is that this is a trans-disiplinary event; we are looking to hear from those in fashion, arts, sciences, design etc …

Held at RMIT, School of Art (Melbourne) & online, supported by CAST

This hybrid event will be held in person at RMIT campus and online, expanding accessibility to the event.

This symposium is being organised by early career researchers and PhD candidates from RMIT School of Art and other disciplines.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Late March 2026 (TBC)
Time: To be confirmed
In person location: Melbourne, RMIT Swanson Street Campus
Online event: Link to be confirmed.

ACCESSIBILITY & FURTHER DETAILS

Once accepted a full information pack will be provided, this pack will cover off presentation and publication specifics, including a full Social Story with images and descriptions of accessibility access to the in person room and online room. Supports we may not have considered will be provided to the best of our ability.

For enquiries please contact hello@xxi.net.au

CALLOUT OPEN UNTIL 15 December 2025

Please complete the submission form which will request a short bio and an abstract/introduction/description of your presentation.

APPLY HERE

Art > J.Rosenbaum
Graphic Design > b.

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATIONS

While our symposium framework is a traditional starting point, we encourage presentations that disrupt, neuroqueer, hack or trouble traditional academic formats, welcoming a range of diverse and divergent contributions, including performance, artist talks, readings, and video lectures beyond traditional academic formats.
Presentations will be grouped thematically in 1.5 hour blocks, including a short Q&A within each block.

When developing your submission, consider the following guide for time slots:

  • Full-length presentation – 20 minutes
  • Short/Snapshot/Artist presentations – 10 minutes

SYMPOSIUM PUBLICATION

To compliment the symposium and expand the accessibility of the presentations we will also be creating a print publication of the symposium papers and artworks. Finalised papers will be required by the symposium, however the publication date will be after the symposium itself (TBC), allowing us to reflect on the symposium and include its documentation.
Once launched electronic copies will be made freely available and print issues at cost.

When developing your submission, consider the following guide for word count:

  • Full-length presentation – 2,000 to max 5,000 words
  • Short/Snapshot/Artist presentations – 500 to max 2,000 words + images

THIS SYMPOSIUM IS HELD BY XXI

Xxi is a vessel for the holding and nurturing of playful, transgressive, transformative and generative ideas. Xxi is a space for the coming together of thinkers, makers and dreamers to grapple with, sit with and move through this collective moment and its joy and Troubles (Haraway, 2017). Xxi is for creative practice (in all fields), critical, disobedient thinking and expansive methods.

Xxi > Angelique Joy