Telling Stories, Bridging Worlds: Reflections from Golden Jubilee
ChLA 2024 conference.
“śṛṇvantu viśve amṛtasya putrāḥ . . .”
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.5
I had a profound experience at ChLA50 when I met researchers from around the world. It reminded me of a quote from the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad that my father often recites to me. The quote is a clarion call to awaken and arouse our self-consciousness and recognize that all humans are equal and are connected to the eternal creation, the Brahman. I believe that the concept of strength in diversity was evident at the ChLA50 Conference. The event brought together academics, researchers, and authors from different generations, people who are underrepresented in Western academia due to their race, gender and sexual orientation. It provided an inclusive space for everyone to come together and celebrate children’s literature.
The Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) is a non-profit organization comprising of scholars, critics, professors, students, librarians, teachers, and institutions dedicated to the academic study of children’s literature. This year marking the golden jubilee of the ChLA was a momentous occasion that fostered a vibrant dialogue on innovative, diverse and productive engagements with children’s and young adult (YA) literature by scholars from around the globe. The ChLA 50th Annual Conference held at the Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club in Wisconsin, Madison, from May 30th to June 1st, 2024, had its conference theme, “Looking Back, Looking Forward” which encapsulated the reflective and anticipatory ethos of the event.
The conference featured over 90 sessions and attracted more than 300 academics and participants from all seven continents. The breadth of sessions covered a wide range of topics, including empirical research, theoretical studies, archival research, library studies, and pedagogical inquiries, encapsulating the full spectrum of children’s literature scholarship. Being amidst world-renowned scholars who have significantly shaped the field of children’s and YA literature was an exhilarating experience.
The conference hosted an awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding contributions to the field. Indian scholars and authors received multiple accolades at the conference’s award ceremony, underscoring the region’s growing prominence in children’s literature authorship and scholarship. For instance, Indian children’s literature author Uma Krishnaswami won the 2024 Phoenix Book Award for her book “Naming Maya.” Rudrani Sarma was awarded the Judith Plotz Emerging Scholar Award and Article Award (Honor). Scholars like Ahona Das and I were honored with the June Cummins Diversity Conference Travel Grant, highlighting the increasing recognition of South Asian contributions to the field.
This year’s conference underscored the South Asian scholars’ significant strides through their research presentations on diverse areas such as graphic narratives, life writings, periodicals, Netflix series, films, disability studies, and postcolonial studies which highlighted the richness and diversity of South Asian perspectives, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of children’s literature. Some papers presented at the conference are, “In the Memory of ‘Kashmir’: Recollecting Power and Violence on Children and Childhood in Munnu, A Boy from Kashmir” by me, “Remembering Girlhood: Memory and Performativity in 19th century Bengali Women’s Life Writings” by Ahona Das, “Tracing Ableism in Indian Children’s Publishing: Creating Practices for Future Accessibility and Representability” by Arpita Sarker, “’Chalantika’ or The Ongoing Political Socialization and the News Section of Bengali Children’s Periodicals from Colonial India” by Titas Bose, “Adolescence, Ideology, and Marketing in Never Have I Ever” by Tharini Viswanath and many more. Engaging with these scholars provided an opportunity to delve into fascinating research areas and explore potential collaborations.
Apart from the rewarding opportunity to forge meaningful connections with international scholars, it initiated an understanding of global research trends, inspired friendships and instilled booming positivity and confidence, particularly for emerging scholars like me. Interactions with these esteemed academics demonstrated the humility and helpfulness with which senior scholars guide emerging researchers in providing invaluable insights into the field. The cooperative friendliness of the environment often facilitated deeper discussions over drinks, coffee, lunches, and dinners. As I continue to reflect on my first ChLA conference, I am profoundly grateful for their nurturing of young scholars, the experience of encouragement and the opportunities presented. In associating myself with this vibrant and supportive academic community within the ChLA, I feel proud, and I look forward to participating in future conferences. I hope to encourage more upcoming scholars to engage with this organization, fostering a diverse and dynamic field of children’s literature scholarship.
The ChLA 50th Annual Conference on celebrating the rich tapestry of children’s literature scholarship provided the platform for diverse voices and facilitated meaningful academic exchanges exemplifying the ChLA’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature, paving the way for future scholarship that is both reflective and forward-looking.
Sohini Dasgupta
(June Cummins Diversity Travel Grant 2024 Awardee)
