This month, ICASP announces the beginning of a new Special Project aimed at exploring the boundaries, borders, and possibilities of critical improvisation studies as it applies to a number of divergent social issues, research fields, and contemporary ideas. The Think Pieces project will bring a monthly discussion and debate to the ICASP community (and beyond) in an attempt to explore a number of provocative questions: How can theories of improvisation re-imagine and redefine the roles of intellectuals? How can a theory be activated by an improvising subject and directed into tangible and meaningful action? What are the horizons of improvisation studies and why do they matter in contexts of crisis? Most critically, the Think Pieces project will offer a provocation to its readers: as improvisers/through improvisation, how and why do we think; how and why do we act?

The project is curated by University of Guelph PhD student, Gregory Fenton, who also authored the inaugural Think Piece, Think Pieces 1: Improvisation and ... Think Pieces. The piece explores many of the questions and issues raised by the Think Pieces project at its beginning and how the project can be relevant for our times.

Call For Think Pieces

We invite submissions of Think Pieces that range from 750-1250 words (approx.) and explore improvisation as it applies to different sites of theory, engagement, and practice. The papers can be creative or theoretical in nature, but should explore some aspect of improvisation and its possibilities for critical analysis, social action, and/or social belonging. A general format for the title of each piece should be as follows: “Think Piece: Improvisation and ______”. Papers do not need to be fully developed or scholarly in nature, and may seek to pose questions for future research. Submissions and questions should be directed to dme@uoguelph.ca.

The project hub is located here, where you can find more information on the project and view current and previous Think Pieces.