International symposium: Maps in American Literature
Organized by Aurore Clavier (Université Paris Cité), Monica Manolescu (University of Strasbourg, USIAS/SEARCH), Julien Nègre (ENS de Lyon, IUF) and Pauline Pilote (Université Bretagne Sud).
The “Maps in American Literature” international symposium will take place at ENS de Lyon, France, on April 1-3, 2026. The symposium explores how maps have shaped American literature from the era of exploration to the present day. The symposium will include several panels exploring different periods and aspects of the interactions between American texts and cartographic documents. It will feature 3 keynote speakers and different workshops and presentations:
Martin Brückner, Professor at the University of Delaware and Director of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, is a specialist of early American literature, material culture, and the history of cartography. He will deliver the first keynote lecture, “Mapping With/Out Maps: the Cartographic Imagination in American Literature” on Wednesday, April 1, at 10:30 AM.
Sarah Sense and Caroline Wigginton will deliver the second keynote lecture on Thursday, April 2, at 9:30 AM. The lecture is entitled: “Mapping with Trees: A Co-Learning from Indigenous American Literatures”. Sarah Sense (Chitimacha / Choctaw) is an independent artist working at the intersection of mapping, photography, and Indigenous weaving traditions. Caroline Wigginton is Chair and Professor of English at the University of Mississippi. Her research explores earlier American literatures, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and book history and material cultures.
Sarah Sense will also give a separate talk about her work on Friday, April 3 at 9:30 AM. Sarah Sense uses traditional weaving techniques to create works based on ancient maps, photographs, and Indigenous patterns.
Eventually, the French publishing company Éditions Marchialy will present their work with and around maps on Friday, April 3 at 1:30 PM. The conversation will be in English and French, with the help of an interpreter, Christopher Mole.
The symposium will take place at the ENS de Lyon, room D8.001, at 15 parvis René Descartes in Lyon, France. Métro station: Debourg.
All sessions will take place in person only. No remote attendance will be possible.
The event is free and open to the public.
Conference website:
https://www.ens-lyon.fr/evenement/recherche/international-symposium-maps-american-literature
Programme: maps2026.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/3
Poster: https://www.ens-lyon.fr/sites/default/files/2026-03/202604_ColInter_MapsAmLit_Aff_Web.pdf