Call for Papers

By bringing together scholars in the many fields of knowledge in which Eco worked, the conference aims to bring out Eco's legacy of thought; the aspects that emerge following the progress and distance brought about by ten years; the elements of thought that are still worthy of attention; and the directions in which these elements can be developed and relaunched today. This conference, therefore, has no set themes or sub-themes for reflection; instead, it makes room for the most important themes to emerge from the papers, debate and work of the scholars summoned to Bologna.

In short, the Centro internazionale di Studi umanistici “Umberto Eco” is organising an open work-conference enabling the emergence of new paths of reflection by re-examining and re-filtering Umberto Eco's immense body of works.

The proposals should be structured around six main areas:

  1. Narrative
  2. Interpreting and Translation
  3. Semiotics
  4. Philosophy and History of ideas
  5. Middle Ages
  6. Media

With these areas in mind, those who identify with one or more of Eco's ideas will be able to interact and reflect dialogically with the conference’s community of scholars.

In doing so, not only will the conference redesign a legacy destined to become ever richer and more open; it will also make it possible to commemorate Eco's vast intellectual legacy of thought in a non-ceremonial manner, revealing its strength, renewing its interpretation, and creating an occasion that is not merely commemorative or retrospective, but rich in thought, innovation and future.

 

Organisational instructions

We invite researchers wishing to participate in the conference to submit their proposal by 30 October 2025.

The proposal should include:

  • Name and surname
  • Affiliation
  • Qualification
  • Reference area (among the 6 specified above)
  • Abstract (between 2000 and 4000 characters with spaces)
  • 5 keywords
  • Short biographical note (approx. 1000 characters with spaces)

 

The Scientific Committee of the Conference will notify acceptance of the proposal by 30 November 2025.

 

The conference languages are Italian and English. Consequently, the proposal should also be drafted in one of these two languages.

The maximum duration of each speech is 20 minutes.

 

Enrolment

If the proposal is accepted, its submission requires advance payment of the registration fee.

 

Registration fees

  • Early rate: EUR 180.00 (until 10 January 2026)
  • Standard rate: EUR 300.00 (from 10 January 2026 to the end of the conference)
  • PhD students: EUR 90.00.

Registration includes access to all keynote lectures and all convention and social events organised as part of the conference.