Click here to submit a proposal

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Who we are 

Sonic Rebellions is an international network of artists, activists and scholars exploring the relationship between sound and social justice. We hold bi-annual ‘seasons’ which have featured interactive workshops, panels, presentations and social events. We have a book series with Routledge and are proud that our publications champion early career researchers and non-academic authors. Our first volume explored the agency of sonic actors not always recognised as ‘political,’ including listeners. Our second volume on War, Conflict and Remembering, is currently being finalised and addresses how sound can help us to conceptualise conflict and how people survive it.
We are delighted to open the call for contributions to our third season of events to be held at Newcastle University on Wednesday 22nd July, Thursday 23rd July and Friday 24th July 2026.

The Theme

Our forthcoming season will centre on policing, criminalisation and sound/music. How are some sounds policed and how do sonic practices, music, or methods create opportunities to resist or counteract this policing? Are some sounds criminalised and why? Can sound inform alternatives to the current criminal justice system, such as practices in restorative justice, or more widely tackle inequalities in society, through transformative justice or abolitionist organising? SR does not restrict the definition or medium of sound. Previous contributions have explored a range of musical genres (including hip hop, Drill, Trap, metal, reggae, EDM), listening practices (soundwalks, festivals, auto-ethnographic methods, archiving) and socio-political movements.

Themes and subjects may include, but are by no means limited to:

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• Transformative justice and sonic practices/methods

• Indigeneity, sound and restorative justice 

• Music for the Miners: sound in the Northeast

• The criminalisation of and/or censorship of rap music

• The prosecution of musicians and music

• Palestine, Kneecap, Bob Vylan and the policing of concerts

• Auditory experiences and colonial-psychiatric policing

• Sound practices in prison

• Sound and abolitionism

• The acoustic architecture of the courtroom

• Queering sound against the policing of bodies and sexuality 

Proposals

As part of our commitment to challenging the hierarchy and inaccessibility of academic conferences, we do not have conventional keynotes, and we are interested in disrupting ideas of ‘expert’ panels. For this event we will instead have 45 minutes for each contributor who can use the time as they feel best, whether this is a presentation, interactive workshop or experimental approaches. You should accommodate time for questions within this time, as appropriate.

Each session will be followed by 15 minutes comfort break and rotation. At the end of the day, contributors and participants will be invited to reflect and discuss themes and issues that have come up throughout the day. Please note that due to our proposed layout, which encourages more thorough discussion and feedback between contributors, we ask that Rebels consider attending the whole event (not just your session), especially Thursday and Friday.

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Online event 

We recognise that not everybody can or wants to travel and that resources are limited. We will therefore host an online only event on Friday 17th July. Please note that priority will be given to Rebels in the Global South. Proposals are strongly encouraged to be interactive in some way and must take into consideration the online space. Paper presentations are unlikely to be accepted and should not involve transmitted audio due to the poor quality. You might consider for example, a facilitated session, discussion, accessible exercise. If you intend to join the online event—please tick the appropriate box below. 


Returning Rebels 

If you have previously participated in a Sonic Rebellions season, you will be aware that we encourage contributors to return. We anticipate that time will be reserved on the first day for rebels—please tick the appropriate box. 


Participation bursaries 

We hope to provide limited bursaries of up to £100 to contribute to the travel or accommodation costs for people who are not affiliated to universities. Please note that this is strictly reserved for people who are ineligible to apply for academic funds and grants. We cannot cover travel or catering costs for carers, but they are very welcome to attend with you. There are no fees to attend for contributors whose proposal is accepted.

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A vegan lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. 

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Click here to submit a proposal

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