Open Call for Contributions: Transatlantic Ruptures and Transformations
Frictions: Europe, America and Global Transformations is the Open Access blog/journal of the Leibniz ScienceCampus in Regensburg. The online publication aims to explore the historical and current dimensions of dis/connections between and within these regions. Given the current turbulence that is reshaping the global order, rupturing established transatlantic alliances and portending new forms of international and interregional relations, Frictions is issuing an open call for contributions.
There is no deadline, but we plan to collect ideas and texts until at least 30 April 2025, the 100th day of Donald Trump’s second presidential term.
We welcome contributions reflecting the transformations of the global, international and regional orders, while broadly addressing our key research themes:
- In/security, sovereignty & transatlantic relations
- Institutions, trade & supply chains
- Legal and cultural interactions, hierarchies & translations
- Media systems, discourses & technological change
We are open to pieces discussing the current disruptive, unpredictable role of the US in world politics today and its impact on other regions of the world. At the same time, we encourage reflections on other periods of regional and global upheaval that generated phenomena that are gaining resonance today. On the one hand, Great Power politics, imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, extractivism and resource extraction, anti-Americanism, population transfers and ethnic cleansing, oligarchy and democratic backsliding, as well as peace talks and treaties – including those imposed on native populations. But on the other hand, we are encouraged to think of the struggles to defend the rule of law, human rights, civil rights and constitutions, the value of international cooperation, alliances and solidarities. Equally, there are questions relating to the future of the “West” and transatlantic relations and the role of the “Global South” in a multipolar, polycentric world that require pressing critical reflection.
Contributions tracing the multidirectional transfer and exchange of ideas and practices between the Americas and Eastern and Southeastern Europe are particularly welcome.
In the spirit of the central concept of the journal, Frictions, we look to explore the disruptive, destructive aspects of tensions and conflicts in parallel with the productive, (re)generative potential of frictions.
At the ScienceCampus, Europe and the Americas are understood broadly, covering those areas staking a claim to be the Global North or “West”, as well as those areas that form(ed) the historical “Second World” (or socialist bloc) and Global South. Seen through an area studies lens, these regions cover spaces traditionally associated both with being centres of theory production and of empirical case studies, subjected to the gaze of those “centres”.
Contributions can take the form of longer, peer-reviewed essays or of shorter discussion pieces. As well as written texts, we can also publish in other formats, such as audio contributions, photo essays or video.
We welcome proposals via our contribution form.
Given the pressing nature of events, the editorial board will look to review, edit and publish contributions quickly, while encouraging dialogue between contributions.
Contact frictions@europeamerica.de with any queries.