Summer School “Moving Bodies” 2026
Narratives, Transmediality, and Interculturality
The University of Klagenfurt is pleased to announce the 2026 edition of MOVING BODIES: Narratives, Transmediality, and Interculturality, taking place from 8–12 June 2026 in Klagenfurt.
Organised within the framework of the COINT initiative and under the scientific direction of Angela Fabris, the conference brings together international scholars, artists, educators, and practitioners working across literature, media, performance, cultural studies, and the humanities.
Conference Theme
Moving Bodies explores the ways in which bodies, movement, and mobility are represented, mediated, and negotiated across literary, artistic, digital, and intercultural contexts. Through an interdisciplinary dialogue, the conference addresses themes such as migration, transmedial storytelling, queer studies, game studies, AI and technology, ecological flows, performance, and transcultural exchange.
The programme includes:
- Academic panels and keynote lectures
- Artistic performances and exhibitions
- Interactive “Moving Tables”
- Queer Read-ins and collaborative workshops
- Discussions on media, narratives, simulation, literature, and performing arts
Keynote Speakers
- Francesco Pitassio (University of Udine)
- Yasuo Deguchi (Kyoto University)
Special Events
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with theatrical performances, artistic installations, and exhibitions throughout the conference week, fostering dialogue between academic research and creative practice.
MOVING BODIES aims to create a dynamic international platform for critical reflection on bodies in motion and their role in shaping contemporary cultural and media landscapes.
Further information and the full programme are available in the conference materials.
Further Information
For questions please contact coint2025 [at] aau [dot] at or angela [dot] fabris [at] aau [dot] at.
PhD students and MA students may register for the course “240.603 (26S) COINT Summer School “Moving Bodies” 8.-12. Juni 2026” here.
The poster for the conference can be found here.
More information on our second keynote on Thursday, which is organised by the University Centre for Human & Data Sciences, can be found here.
Monday, June 8
Panel 1 (10:00-11:30, Z.1.08)
Angela FABRIS, Elena IPPENDORF, Magdalena MÜHLBÖCK, & Tamara URACH
Body Mobility and Identity in Literary and Cultural Systems (Museums, Installations, Performance)
Robot Exhibition – “Hubot”
Presentation of the humanoid robot Unitree G1 Education (“Hubot”), developed in collaboration with the Institute of Smart Systems Technologies at the University of Klagenfurt. The exhibition explores human–robot interaction
Vanessa TISCHLER, Serkan ERGUN, and Jonatan PEREZ LOPEZ.
Panel 2 (11:30-13:30, Z.1.08)
Nicola MITTERER & Hajnalka NAGY
Body, Knowledge, and Movement in Literary, Media, and Learning Processes
Panel 3 (15:30-17:30, Z.1.08)
René SCHALLEGGER, Tamara URACH, & Elena IPPENDORF
Game Studies and Ludic Cultures: Bodies, Movement, and Spaces
Rehearsal Visit (19:00, Kammerlichtspiele)
S.O.S. Students on Stage
Production of “Constellations”
org. Elena IPPENDORF
Tuesday, June 9
Panel 4 (09:00-11:00, Z.1.08)
Cristina BERETTA, Angela FABRIS, & Peter SVETINA
Intersections between Narratives, Space, and Symbolic or Real Migration
Panel 5 (11:30-13:30, Z.1.08)
Roger Dale JONES
Bodies and Narratives Across Media: Developments in the Research of Foregin Language Learning and Teaching
Queer Read-in (14:00-15:30, Co-Forum)
Cristina BERETTA & Anes OSMIC
Queer Read-in: Words in Motion
Keynote 1 (18:00, Z.1.08)
Francesco PITASSIO
(Dean for Research, University of Udine)
“Red Giants. A Few Thoughts on Ageing Stars”
Introduced by Jasmin DONLIC (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education) and Angela FABRIS (COINT Coordinator)
Wednesday, June 10
Panel 6* (09:00-11:00, Z.1.08)
Anke BOSSE & Johannes WAßMER
Schriftkörper / Körperschrift
Panel 7* (11:30-13:30, Z.1.08)
Angelika KEMPER, Martina MEIDL, Cristina BERETTA, Jutta FORTIN, & Johannes WAßMER
Raum, Körper, Krieg
Panel 8 (11:30-13:30, O.0.01)
Anna FARAON, Anna MASCHIETTO, Beatrice SIMION, Francesca PUDDU,
Franz KRAMPL, Natalia LECCE, Davide TEMPESTA, & Camila BARROS
Moving Tables
Gold Extra (15:30-17:30, S.0.05)
“Body, Media, Art: Once Upon Unsteady Grounds”
Sophia REITERER & Karl ZECHENTER
Dinner on Campus (18:30)
Pizza Truck
*Panel in German
Thursday, June 11
Panel 9 (09:00-11:00, Z.1.09)
Agnes TURNER
Comparative Analysis of Body and Movement-Centered Writings
Panel 10 (09:00-11:00, Z.0.01)
Marlene HILZENSAUER
Deaf Awareness & Deaf Culture: Bodies in Motion
Panel 11 (11:30-13:30, Z.1.09)
Tamara URACH, Magdalena MÜHLBÖCK, Franz KRAMPL, Michele BALDARO, Michele CATERINO & Anes OSMIC
Moving Tables
Keynote 2 (16:00, HS3)
Yasuo DEGUCHI
(Kyoto University)
“From the WE-turn to the Fellowship Model”
Living with AI – FutureTalks: Humans & Technology
organised by the University of Klagenfurt – Centre for Human and Data Sciences
Friday, June 12
Panel 12 (09:00-11:00, O.0.01)
Beatrice SIMION, Elena IPPENDORF, Davide TEMPESTA
Moving Tables
Joint-visit Exhibition (11:30-13:30)
“ALL ABOUT NATURE. Zwischen Idylle, Krise und Hoffnung”
Exhibition Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt
Theatergasse 4, 9020 Klagenfurt
Opening hours Tuesday-Sunday (10:00-18:00)
further information here
