Call for Papers on

Post-Fossil Fuel Futures and Ecotopian Imaginaries

in Popular Culture

Popular Culture Association 56th National Conference

Atlanta on April 8-11, 2026

Submissions open September 1 until November 30

The Ecology and Culture Area of the Popular Culture/American Culture Association is soliciting papers that address different aspects of this broad theme of the ways popular culture (movies, fiction, theater, futurism, environmental initiatives, climate justice, and other ecological and ecocultural initiatives) imagine (or fail to imagine) a world no longer dominated by fossil fuels. While the climate crisis, rising temperatures and sea levels, relentlessly challenge our civilization and human ability and willingness to move beyond our current existential geopolitical and cultural stalemate, popular culture offers the means to play out possible scenarios, practices, policies, and imaginaries of how a better future world might unfold.

How does popular cultural, through movies, novels, comics, theater, games, music, and other forms express, explore different ecocultural problems, aspirations, obstacles, and possibilities in our various efforts to create sustainable futures?

Sessions are scheduled in 1½ hour slots, typically with four papers or speakers per standard session. Presentations should not exceed 15 minutes. Working professionals, scholars, educators, and students are all encouraged to submit.

Interested individuals are asked to submit an abstract of no more than 250 words (including presentation title) and complete contact information (name, institutional affiliation, mail and e-mail addresses, and contact telephone number) through  http://pcaaca.org

Please address any questions to the area chair:

Jeffrey Barber
Integrative Strategies Forum
jeffreyisforum@gmail.com

Important Dates to Remember:

• Database opens for Submissions - Sept. 1, 2025
• Early Bird Registration Begins - Sept. 1, 2025
• Deadline for Paper Proposals - Nov. 30, 2025
• Travel Grant Applications Due - Dec. 15, 2025
• Early Bird Registration Ends for Presenters - Dec. 31, 202
• Regular Registration Begins for Presenters - Jan. 1, 2026 
• Travel Grant Decisions / Notifications - Jan. 31, 2026
• Regular Registration Ends for Presenters - Jan. 31, 2026
• Late Registration Starts for Presenters - Feb. 1, 2026
• Preliminary Program draft available - Feb. 6, 2026

Those Presenters Not Registered by Feb. 15 Will be Dropped from the Program

CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA, GA - April 8-11, 2026