Literature as a Reflection and Catalyst of Socio-cultural Change

Organizer:

Department of English, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan

Date:

November 15th, 2025 (UTC+5)

Committee Members:

Summaya Dahri	Department of English, QUEST	rajputsumayaalam@gmail.com
Mehak Dahri	Department of English, QUEST	mehakdahri2@gmail.com
Shan Kumar Oad	Department of English, QUEST	oadshan6@gmail.com
Amjad Ali Zardari	Department of English, QUEST	zamjadal82@gmail.com
Alisha Fatima Allahyar	Department of English, QUEST	alishamuhammadyaar@gmail.com

Call for Papers

Background:

This framework positions literary works as dynamic instruments that both document and propel socio-cultural dynamics, establishing literary studies as an essential discipline for interpreting and influencing global discourses. The conceptual foundation of this approach is deeply embedded within longstanding theoretical debates concerning the relationship between artistic production and societal structures. Literature maintains profound connections with human experience, serving as both a record of collective consciousness and an agent of ideological transformation. Historically, literary movements have consistently functioned as emancipatory forces, seeking to liberate marginalized groups from systemic injustice, inequality, and oppression. From abolitionist narratives and proletarian literature to postcolonial writing and contemporary feminist and anti-racial discourses, texts have not only reflected societal conditions but have also actively dismantled oppressive structures. In modern contexts, literature continues to inform and inspire social movements playing the role as a medium of reflection and a catalyst for meaningful change.

Goal/Rationale:

A central challenge within this domain persists: the precise theoretical formulation and empirical quantification of literature’s catalytic function. To address this, the field must adopt interdisciplinary methodologies, broaden its scope beyond canonical Western texts to incorporate the rich literary traditions of the Global South, and critically engage with evolving digital and media environments. Such an expansion would facilitate a shift from anecdotal assertions toward a rigorously evidence-based paradigm, illuminating literature’s unique role as a medium for both interpreting and transforming society. This requires moving beyond textual analysis alone to include the material and social dimensions of literary production and reception—such as publishing histories, distribution networks, translation practices, and audience responses—which are critical to understanding its socio-cultural impact. Furthermore, scholars must confront the analytical complexities posed by contemporary media convergence, namely, differentiating literature’s specific influence from that of other cultural forms like film, social media, and music. Equally imperative is the revaluation of historically marginalized genres—including non-fiction, speculative fiction, graphic narratives, and digital literature—whose potential to effect socio-cultural change has been substantially underestimated.

Scope and Information for Participants:

This field of study examines the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between literary production and socio-cultural systems. Its scope spans diverse genres (novels, poetry, drama, essays, oral traditions, and digital narratives), historical periods, and geographical contexts. It interrogates how literature both documents and gives rise to societal values, power structures, identities, and transformations. The approach is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on literary theory, sociology, cultural studies, history, and political science to analyze texts not as isolated aesthetic objects but as active participants in cultural discourse.

Venue:

Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Quest, Haqani town Nawabshah, 67450, Pakistan

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