The primary purpose of the Inaugural Conference of the Memory Studies Association was to think through the theoretical, methodological and professional challenges faced by memory studies as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry and practice. The overarching questions for the conference were: What is the identity of the memory studies field and how can/should we actively shape its future?

Another important aim of the conference was to set-up an international Memory Studies Association that would gather under its umbrella all the already existing smaller scholarly groups working on memory issues, as well as providing a home to research-oriented practitioners and policy-makers. Networking and exchange was key for the conference.

The programme featured 12 panels, three rountables, a professional development and a teaching workshop. Among the speakers were: Jeffrey Olick, Daniel Levy, Astrid Erll, Michael Rothberg, Ann Rigney, Siobhan Kattago, Wulf Kansteiner and Andrew Hoskins.

ENRS was one of the conference’s partners.