TRANSATLANTIC REASONINGS
CONFERENCE
The Possibility of Forgiveness? Encountering the Legacies of Colonialism in the 21st Century
Montego Bay, Jamaica
November 12–15, 2026
Join scholars, creatives, and practitioners for an interdisciplinary conference exploring forgiveness, repair, justice, and the enduring legacies of colonialism in the 21st century.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The Transatlantic Reasonings Conference is an interdisciplinary gathering that will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from November 12–15, 2026. This conference will bring together scholars, creatives, and practitioners from a wide range of fields, including history, literary studies, law, musicology, performance, theatre studies, and theology.
The conference will explore the theme, “The Possibility of Forgiveness? Encountering the Legacies of Colonialism in the 21st Century,” with the aim of generating wide-ranging and far-reaching conversations on the role of forgiveness in relation to slavery, colonialism, reparations, justice, and repair.
OUR SPEAKERS
Professor Anna Kasafi Perkins
CONFERENCE THEME
Forgiveness is approached here as a broad and challenging framework for thinking through the legacies of slavery and colonialism in contemporary academic, political, and social life. The conference asks whether forgiveness is possible, what it requires, and how it intersects with justice, apology, repair, and material reparations.
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Rather than treating forgiveness narrowly, the conference also welcomes engagement with related themes such as shame, hospitality, racism, nostalgia, justice, cultural and economic reparations, and the question of how we meaningfully encounter the past in the present.
CALL
FOR PAPERS
We invite papers addressing the theme “The Possibility of Forgiveness? Encountering the Legacies of Colonialism in the 21st Century.”
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We welcome submissions from scholars, creatives, and practitioners across disciplines including history, theology, literary studies, law, musicology, performance, and cultural studies.
Submission deadline: June 10, 2026
Notification of acceptance: July 1, 2026
Submit:
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Abstract (250 words)
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Short bio (150 words)
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Contact details and affiliation
Email submissions to:
transatlanticcollective@gmail.com
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration includes accommodation for three nights, conference materials, and a visit to a historic or heritage site. The resort is all-inclusive and includes meals, beverages, and access to amenities.
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Single - £720 (one person in a room)
Double - £525 (two persons sharing)
Triple - £450 (three persons sharing)
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Arrangements can also be made for up to three additional nights before or after the conference at an additional cost.
If you require this, please indicate at the time of registration.
Venue
Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Resort
Montego Bay, Jamaica
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The venue is a five-star, all-inclusive resort offering beach access, swimming pools, restaurants, entertainment, and conference facilities. It is located approximately 15-20 minutes from Sangster International Airport (MBJ).
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For booking to confirm your attendance and payment visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transatlantic-collective-reasonings-an-interdisciplinary-conference-tickets-1986522362863?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Bursaries and Financial Support
A limited number of bursaries to cover full or partial registration will be available for postgraduate students and people without institutional support. Priority will be given to presenters at the conference.
To apply for bursary support, please indicate your interest within the registration form.
Applicants will be informed of our decision in due course.
CONFERENCE FORMAT
The conference will span three days and will include interdisciplinary paper presentations, two keynote talks explicitly addressing the conference theme, and a community conversation outside the conference hotel as part of the organizers’ effort to engage the wider public in these important discussions.
ORGANIZERS
The conference organizers comprise a group of academics and practitioners based in the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and the United States. Together, they represent the disciplines of history, theology, ethnomusicology, and English, and are affiliated with the University of the West Indies, the University of Leeds, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
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The conference is supported by the United Society Partners in the Gospel.
PARTNERS
For general enquiries about the Transatlantic Reasonings Conference 2026, please contact the organising team using the details below.
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Email: transatlanticcollective@gmail.com
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