Deus ex Machina: Technology as Salvation or Damnation?
We are pleased to announce the call for papers for the 43rd annual Humanities and Technology Association Conference to be held at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island from Oct. 23-25th, 2025. The main theme for this year’s conference is Deus Ex Machina: Technology as Salvation or Damnation?
The modern “project” – emerging as it did sometime during the Renaissance and stretching at least as far as the Industrial Revolution if not to the present day – was largely fueled by a vision of scientific progress wedded, for better or worse, to technological innovation and the supposed betterment of humankind. Perhaps best envisioned by Francis Bacon, the techno-scientific optimism that drove this project has largely proceeded unquestioned, save the likes of a Ned Ludd, Charles Dickens, or Jaques Ellul – voices in the wilderness who were at least noted, if not heeded. But now we come to it: a moment in our history (perhaps the end of history?) when the rapid development of AI, undeniable changes in the climate, threats of advanced weaponry, and challenges of global migration force us to ask whether technology is the problem or solution, our nemesis or our best hope, our damnation or salvation? We invite treatments on this subject from all disciplines and perspectives and hope the conference itself provides an opportunity for fruitful dialogue that considers the place of technology in our uncertain futures.
Beyond the main conference theme, and to allow for as broad of a range of scholars as possible, papers and panel suggestions are also accepted that examine other vital issue areas at the juncture of technology and society, such as politics and social life, representations of technology in art and literature, technology and identity (in terms of gender, race, and culture), or technology and education. The Humanities and Technology Association is an interdisciplinary scholarly society that explores the impact of technology on human life from a broad range of perspectives. We welcome papers that investigate the cultural interaction of the humanities, science, engineering, and technology.
Submission Information:
Please email an abstract (of approximately 500 words) by September 1, 2025 to Brian Boeninger at brian.boeninger@salve.edu. Please include basic biographical information such as your affiliated institution, your position at this institution, and your contact information. Graduate student submissions are welcome and encouraged. Panel proposals of two or three presenters are also welcome. When submitting your abstract, panelists are asked to indicate the theme of their panel and their fellow panelist(s). Two-person sessions will run 60 minutes and three-person sessions will run 90 minutes. Presenters should therefore aim for 20-minute presentations that allow time for discussion afterwards. Prepared papers, slideshow presentations, or some combination thereof are all equally welcome.