3rd Call for Papers

We are pleased to inform you that the deadline for the Call for Papers for the conference “Understanding Plastics: From Heritage to Controversy and Beyond” has been extended to February 28, 2025. The conference will take place from November 5th to 7th, 2025, at the Museu do Calçado in São João da Madeira, Portugal.

Key Dates

Original deadline: February 21, 2025

Deadline extension: February 28, 2025

Call for Papers

In the framework of the project “The Plastics Metamorphoses – the reality and the multiple approaches to a material”, focussed on the multidisciplinary approaches to these materials, we invite all interested partners to submit papers, posters and communications to the incoming congress “Understanding Plastics: From Heritage to Controversy and Beyond”.

This congress aims to explore the inherent tensions that plastics present across various domains, including their indispensable role in modern life and their significant environmental impact.

Topics could address well-known antinomies, such as:

·    Luxury – Ubiquity

·    Durability – Degradation

·     Innovation – Imitation

·    Natural – Artificial/synthetic

·    Handmade – Mass production

·    Collection – Disposal

·    Recycling/Recovery – Littering

·    Environmental friendliness -pollution

The congress aims to foster a dialogue that spans disciplines such as history, anthropology, conservation, design, environmental studies, and engineering. Also, contributions that address the historical evolution of plastics, their socio-economic implications, the environmental paradoxes they embody as well as the abovementioned antinomies within plastic materials culture are particularly encouraged.

The programme committee suggests the following non-exhaustive sub-themes for contributors of individual papers, and posters:

• Bio-based materials for packaging;
• Plastics as cultural heritage;
• Material properties as vehicles of innovation;
• Artisanal and industrial design;
• Colonialism and pollution (Environmental education?);
• The ethics of plastics;
• Plastics sustainability.

All proposals must be in English. For advice on preparing your submission and the conference presentation, please consult the congress guidelines.

For advice on preparing your submission and the conference presentation, please consult the congress guidelines.
In addition to the scientific programme, the congress will include various social events.

This congress aims to explore the inherent tensions that plastics present across various domains, including their indispensable role in modern life and their significant environmental impact.