Formal Programming Policies and Track Descriptions
Please read this entire document before filling out the Formal Programming Submission form
Please note that form submission requires a 50-75 word biography and a Proposal Abstract (max. 500 words). We recommend having these ready before starting the form)
MISTI-Con is pleased to announce our Call for Formal Programming is now open! We have set our sights set on the International platform of the Wizarding World's Fair. Please join us as we delve into the magical world of Harry Potter and apparate across borders as we reach out to the International Wizarding Community. Help us explore the culture, diversity and potential of the wizarding world as we seek to entertain, enlighten and inspire our magical community.
Formal Programming will start at MISTI-Con on Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2015.
Proposal submissions deadline is December 30, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
All submissions must be made by the deadline, and we encourage you to get your submission in early. Submissions will not be considered until all required information has been received. All entrants will be notified by January 31, 2015 of the status of their submission.
Our programming content is driven by fans for fans. Formal Programming includes the academic, fan-based, and educational elements of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and related media. Academic approaches to Harry Potter are welcomed: the conference particularly encourages the "aca-fan," or participant-observer, approach to Harry Potter studies. Formal Programming ranges from academic papers to informal roundtables. While we hope you will be inspired by our theme of the global wizarding world, proposals on all aspects of the Potterverse are welcome.
This year MISTI-Con is highlighting the following departments (themed tracks), and we are certain there is something for everyone. Under each track, we’ve suggested areas that may be of interest to particular types of fanwork and academic disciplines.
Department of Concealment and Subterfuge - (Cosplay, and performance studies) We encourage submissions, both theoretical and practical, geared toward all experience levels including character creation, history of fashion, genderbending cosplay, thrifting, crafting and construction, and acting. Knowing there is great interest in the track, we anticipate a wide variety of submissions.
Department of Global Wizarding Conservation (Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Ecology, Botany, Zoology) Do you run a dragon sanctuary? Are you working with magical creatures, or perhaps have discovered a new species? Do you liaise with centaurs or merfolk? Have you been working with Bowtruckles or Mandrakes? Are you prepared to expound on your newly discovered magical properties of plants? Submissions might include bestiaries, animal lore, herbs, gardening, and the use of Harry Potter in teaching about wildlife and conservation.
Department of Intelligence and Persons of Interest (Literature, Media Studies, Character Analysis, Books, Films, Ships) Submissions in this track include dossiers of particular characters, examining the writing of the books or screenplays, views of the acting, directing and artistry of the films, or share your particular ship.
Department of International Magical Cooperation (International Wizarding Communities, “global Harry Potter,” translation) Do you want to share the culture of the wizarding community in your country? Tell us how your magical education was different than Hogwarts. Compare and contrast the political dynamics of the magical communities of different countries.
Department of Intrawizarding Social Policy (Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Spirituality, Social Justice, gender and LGBTQ studies and issues). Submissions might include themes of psychology, personality theory, religion and spirituality, feminism, LGBTQ studies and issues, social justice, legal studies, as well as fandom analysis itself.
Department of Magical Education – (Pedagogy, literacy, education, and Harry Potter in the classroom). Proudly training the young wizards and witches of today for the magical jobs of tomorrow. Submissions might include Harry Potter in the classroom, training on various wizarding occupations, and studies of ministry departments.
Department of Magical Games and Sports – including but not limited to Quidditch (IQA and USQ) - Is wizarding chess your game, or maybe exploding snap? Are you an expert at wand dueling? Do you prefer playing gobstones? Explore sports and games in theory and practice.
Department of Magical Research and Development (Spells, Potions, Divination, Wandlore) Do you want to discuss magical inventions of previous world's fairs, or do you have a new invention to unveil? Do you want to challenge previous magical notions? Have you analyzed the relationship between wands and willpower? Share your research with us and help enlighten the next generation of wizards.
Department of Special Operations - Are you working on a top secret project for the Ministry? Is your work so unique, it isn't easily defined? Maybe it is time to bring your covert operations out to the rest of the wizarding world.
Fan driven content is what keeps the world of Harry Potter alive and growing. MISTI-Con is committed to providing a forum for fans and academics to expound and explore the world of Harry Potter. We need you to help make MISTI-Con the best it can be. The above tracks are provided as guides. You are only limited by your imagination. We are excited to hear your ideas, theories and speculations. We look forward to reading your proposals, and providing you with a fantastic formal programming schedule. Let the submissions begin!
Yours in Wizarding,
Trissa Hall, Co-Head Organizer
Programming Director
Melissa Aaron,
Academic Chair, Formal Programming
Formal Programming will start at MISTI-Con on Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2015.
Proposal submissions deadline is December 30, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
All submissions must be made by the deadline, and we encourage you to get your submission in early. Submissions will not be considered until all required information has been received. All entrants will be notified by January 31, 2015 of the status of their submission.
Our programming content is driven by fans for fans. Formal Programming includes the academic, fan-based, and educational elements of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and related media. Academic approaches to Harry Potter are welcomed: the conference particularly encourages the "aca-fan," or participant-observer, approach to Harry Potter studies. Formal Programming ranges from academic papers to informal roundtables. While we hope you will be inspired by our theme of the global wizarding world, proposals on all aspects of the Potterverse are welcome.
This year MISTI-Con is highlighting the following departments (themed tracks), and we are certain there is something for everyone. Under each track, we’ve suggested areas that may be of interest to particular types of fanwork and academic disciplines.
Department of Concealment and Subterfuge - (Cosplay, and performance studies) We encourage submissions, both theoretical and practical, geared toward all experience levels including character creation, history of fashion, genderbending cosplay, thrifting, crafting and construction, and acting. Knowing there is great interest in the track, we anticipate a wide variety of submissions.
Department of Global Wizarding Conservation (Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Ecology, Botany, Zoology) Do you run a dragon sanctuary? Are you working with magical creatures, or perhaps have discovered a new species? Do you liaise with centaurs or merfolk? Have you been working with Bowtruckles or Mandrakes? Are you prepared to expound on your newly discovered magical properties of plants? Submissions might include bestiaries, animal lore, herbs, gardening, and the use of Harry Potter in teaching about wildlife and conservation.
Department of Intelligence and Persons of Interest (Literature, Media Studies, Character Analysis, Books, Films, Ships) Submissions in this track include dossiers of particular characters, examining the writing of the books or screenplays, views of the acting, directing and artistry of the films, or share your particular ship.
Department of International Magical Cooperation (International Wizarding Communities, “global Harry Potter,” translation) Do you want to share the culture of the wizarding community in your country? Tell us how your magical education was different than Hogwarts. Compare and contrast the political dynamics of the magical communities of different countries.
Department of Intrawizarding Social Policy (Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Spirituality, Social Justice, gender and LGBTQ studies and issues). Submissions might include themes of psychology, personality theory, religion and spirituality, feminism, LGBTQ studies and issues, social justice, legal studies, as well as fandom analysis itself.
Department of Magical Education – (Pedagogy, literacy, education, and Harry Potter in the classroom). Proudly training the young wizards and witches of today for the magical jobs of tomorrow. Submissions might include Harry Potter in the classroom, training on various wizarding occupations, and studies of ministry departments.
Department of Magical Games and Sports – including but not limited to Quidditch (IQA and USQ) - Is wizarding chess your game, or maybe exploding snap? Are you an expert at wand dueling? Do you prefer playing gobstones? Explore sports and games in theory and practice.
Department of Magical Research and Development (Spells, Potions, Divination, Wandlore) Do you want to discuss magical inventions of previous world's fairs, or do you have a new invention to unveil? Do you want to challenge previous magical notions? Have you analyzed the relationship between wands and willpower? Share your research with us and help enlighten the next generation of wizards.
Department of Special Operations - Are you working on a top secret project for the Ministry? Is your work so unique, it isn't easily defined? Maybe it is time to bring your covert operations out to the rest of the wizarding world.
Fan driven content is what keeps the world of Harry Potter alive and growing. MISTI-Con is committed to providing a forum for fans and academics to expound and explore the world of Harry Potter. We need you to help make MISTI-Con the best it can be. The above tracks are provided as guides. You are only limited by your imagination. We are excited to hear your ideas, theories and speculations. We look forward to reading your proposals, and providing you with a fantastic formal programming schedule. Let the submissions begin!
Yours in Wizarding,
Trissa Hall, Co-Head Organizer
Programming Director
Melissa Aaron,
Academic Chair, Formal Programming
