Call for Submission of Session Proposals

“Psychoanalysis, Economy, and Desire”

24th Annual Meeting of the
University of California / New Center for Psychoanalysis Interdisciplinary Psychoanalytic Consortium
(UC/NCP IPC)

June 3-5, 2016 – UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center

Our meeting this year is organized around the theme “Psychoanalysis, Economy, and Desire,” with a focus on the relationship between analytic and non-analytic conceptions of economics, money, and desire. We are soliciting session proposals that are related to this theme, focusing on the psychic, social, and interpersonal dynamics of economics and desire, broadly construed, in clinical, social, cultural, and ideological contexts. We invite session on thematically based discussions as well as clinical presentations.

Some broad, organizing questions that we hope will be addressed during the meeting include:

• How does psychoanalytic theory complicate popular conceptions of money, exchange, and value?
• How might psychoanalytic methods and ideas serve as a critique of economic discourse, or of current politico-economic culture?
• How have broader cultural understandings of economics shaped psychoanalytic theory and practice, and how do these processes play out in the clinical encounter?
• What can we say about the economic/exchange relation between analyst and analysand (both in terms of its ethical and psychodynamics dimensions)?
• In what ways do poverty, precarity, and politics shape psychoanalytic practice? Conversely, how do affluence, wealth, and power influence our work as analysts?
• In what ways do economic realities become objects of fantasy, defense, desire in the clinical setting?
• Is there such a thing as an “economic unconscious,” and if so, what is it, and how might it function?
• How might alternative conceptions of economy and desire emerge from the interface of psychoanalysis, economics, philosophy and religious worldviews?
• And many other questions related to the broad theme of Psychoanalysis, Economy, and Desire.

The goal of this year’s conference is an in-depth conversation of these issues, exploring how best to conceptualize them from an analytic perspective, gauging their impact on both theoretical and clinical fronts, and thinking creatively about how psychoanalysts might more fully engage with the tensions, fears, and anxieties—and perhaps promises—of psychoanalysis, economy, and desire, broadly conceived.

Sessions submissions should focus on the following:

• Interdisciplinary engagement—the potential purview of the issue discussed is not confined to a single discipline alone;
• Psychological / Psychoanalytic Emphasis — Some aspect of the paper must be clearly psychological and/or psychodynamic, with either direct or indirect psychoanalytic relevance;
• Theoretical and/or Clinical Focus—We welcome panels that engage these topics from theoretical, clinical, or integrated angles.  As always, we want to think about how psychoanalytic thought—as a form of clinical thinking and clinical theory—informs both our practice and our theories.
• Promotion of Thoughtful Discussion—Our format does not include the reading aloud of papers, as at a typical conference. Instead, we adopt a seminar or discussion format.  Panel or workshop proposals include a list of core readings that are circulated several weeks in advance, so attendees will have already read the papers by the time the conference opens. Presenters usually begin by making a few remarks about the panel theme and/or readings for around 10 or 15 minutes, followed by a very participatory discussion.

Proposal Submission Guidelines:

Submissions for both Workshop Sessions and Clinical Presentations are welcome. Although the majority of sessions will be thematically based discussion (consisting of brief opening remarks (less than 15 minutes) followed by a group discussion of several key readings), we plan to offer several clinical presentations as well.

Proposals abstracts should be 100-300 words long, followed by a discussion of the topics and texts / media screenings participants will discuss (such materials should require no more than three or four hours preparation on the part of attendees). Please submit proposals via to the Program Committee at UCIPC2016@gmail.com.

Any questions should be directed to the Program Committee Chair, Dr. Apurva Shah (heenapu@hotmail.com)

Proposals must be sent via email, and received by May 1, 2016. Be sure to include your full name and affiliation in the proposal.

Thank you, and we will see each other soon!

—The 2016 UC/NCP IPC Program Committee

Links: Call for Proposals | Registration Form | Hayman Fellowship Application
Graduate Conference Stipend Form | NCP Paper Prize