2026 AVSA Conference: Victorian Soundings

From its inception, the interdisciplinary field of sound studies has led to ground-breaking work by scholars of the nineteenth century. Recently, it has continued to expand in intriguing ways, exploring the interdependence of speaking, writing, reading, and listening; the sonic interconnections between the arts, science, and new technologies; and acoustic mediations in imperial encounters with indigenous peoples. We use the term “soundings” to invite very broad interpretations, taking into account its innumerable literal and figurative associations. For instance, the OED tells us that not only do “soundings” signify the literal giving forth of sounds, but they incorporate the more abstract notion of the “sounding board,” related to “information or evidence ascertained as a preliminary step before taking action.” Likewise, “taking soundings,” and “sounding lines” refer to “the determination of any physical property at a depth in the sea or at a height of the atmosphere.” Over 2-3 days, we will sound out afresh the diverse articulations of aurality from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including literature, art, philosophy, music, and history, exploring how sound and soundings were represented and contested in the global nineteenth century.

Keynote Speakers: Associate Professor Jason Camlot (Concordia University Research Chair in Literature and Sound Studies, Montréal, Canada), and Senior Lecturer, Dr. Toiroa Williams (Te Ipukarea Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology)

Travel Grants: We have two bursaries of $AU750.00 to support presenters at the AVSA Conference this year without access to institutional funding. Please email avsa@aut.ac.nz for application information, and see also https://avsa.net.au/postgrads/

On Wednesday 24 June, we have several free optional events to interest you:

1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Dr. Keri Mills, Senior Lecturer in History at AUT will lead a Guided Walk to some nearby historic sites of interest.

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Professor Tom McLean will lead a Pre-conference Graduate & Early Career Workshop: "Lives from Letters."

3:00-5:00 pm, Senior Lecturer, Melissa Dickson will lead Pre-conference Graduate & Early Career Workshop: "Listening as Method."

On Thursday 25 June 5:30-7:30, we are following the Victorian tradition of the Salon, inviting conference participants to perform a recitative or musical item.