Conference Theme: Perseverantia
March 21, 2026
Sponsored by Fitchburg State University’s Center for Italian Culture (CIC), the conference aims to advance the mission of the organization by encouraging the understanding and appreciation of all aspects of Italian language, history, and culture, including ancient and contemporary studies, and the Italian experience in the New World.
The CIC is a dynamic, interdisciplinary center dedicated to the study, preservation, and celebration of all aspects of italianità. Through excellence in teaching, scholarship, the dissemination of learning, and community outreach, the CIC is a university and regional resource that advances Italian heritage and immigration through educational, cultural and social events and activities. In collaboration with the University, community, and other local and international organizations, the CIC provides innovative programming that connects, informs and inspires the communities of Fitchburg, North Central Massachusetts, and beyond.
Perseverantia, the motto of Fitchburg State University, offers a wide-ranging context for our inaugural conference. The organizers extend a broad call to all disciplines within Italian Studies exploring any aspect of the notions of persistence, perseverance, steadfastness, constancy, or any related concept.
Conference Details
Find details on the following topics below:
Paper and panel proposals due October 3, 2025
The conference organizers welcome paper and panel proposals in Italian or Italian-American Studies broadly conceived, and from a wide range of approaches and contexts. We encourage participation from colleagues working in, but not limited to, such fields as:
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Language teaching or translation
- Performance and/or Theatre
- Art History, Arts and/or Architecture
- Politics/Political Science
- History
- Philosophy
- Women’s Studies
- Film and Media
- Science
- Literature
- Italo-African Studies
- Classical Studies
- Music
- Journalism
In addition, we invite proposals for panels. Prospective participants are especially encouraged to consider the following themes related, but not limited, to “Perseverantia”:
- Overcoming Obstacles
- Courageous Action
- Roots, Heritage, and Growth
- Strength in Unexpected Circumstances
Paper and panel proposals due October 3, 2025
All proposals must be submitted electronically to CICconference@fitchburgstate.edu. Please submit paper and panel proposals per the following instructions:
- For Individual Papers: proposals should be no more than 250 words.
- Include title of presentation, name, affiliation, and email address of the proposer, plus a note on technical requirements.
- Plan for paper presentations to be 20 minutes in length followed by a 30-minute question and answer period, for a 90-minute session.
- For Panel Proposals: panel descriptions should not exceed 150 words.
- Panels may include up to five participants; panels with fewer than three participants will be asked to consider submitting proposals as individual papers.
- Submission for a panel must be made by the panel organizer on behalf of the group and must include all paper titles, abstracts (no more than 250 words each), and contact information (names, affiliations, and email addresses) of all panel members, including the organizer.
- All sessions will last 90 minutes, with time in each session for a question- and-answer period. For panels with three papers, plan for paper presentations to be 20 minutes in length. Panels with more than three papers will have to adjust paper length to accommodate additional speakers.
Once approved, papers, panels and sessions will be posted here on the CIC 2026 Conference on Italian Studies website.
Acceptance of a paper or complete panel implies a commitment on the part of all participants to register and attend the conference. See registration details below.
Submission deadline: October 3, 2025.
January 5, 2026 through March 5, 2026
When registration opens, a registration link will be available here.
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