INTERNATIONAL DAVID FOSTER WALLACE CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN

June 4–6, 2026

University of Texas, Austin

CALL FOR PAPERS

#DFW26

To mark the 30th anniversary of the publication of Infinite Jest, the 2026 David Foster Wallace Conference invites papers examining Wallace’s masterwork. 

This conference is the showcase of serious work devoted to Wallace’s writing and presents a valuable opportunity to meet others in the field. For the 2026 conference in Austin—home of the Harry Ransom Center and Wallace’s archive—we invite papers commenting on Infinite Jest or any aspect of Wallace’s work, thought, influence, or context. Although the primary focus of the conference will be the 30th anniversary of Infinite Jest, we welcome papers and proposals across the broad range of Wallace’s fiction and nonfiction.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• Infinite Jest and/or related works in relation to race and/or socioeconomic class
  
  

• Infinite Jest and/or related works in relation to gender, masculinity, misogyny, and sexualities
  
  

• Infinite Jest and/or related works in relation to politics, philosophy, and/or religion
  
  

• Issues involving translation and international reception
  
  

• The role and influence of contemporary film and television in relation to Wallace’s writing
  
  

• Approaches to teaching Infinite Jest, Wallace’s short stories, or his nonfiction
  
  

• New close readings of any of Wallace’s works, especially those that might challenge prevailing wisdom or established readings

The International David Foster Wallace Society is committed to promoting and fostering a greater inclusion of women scholars, scholars of color, and otherwise historically underrepresented scholars in Wallace Studies, and we welcome proposals that specifically engage these issues.

We encourage submissions from established scholars as well as postdoctoral researchers, unaffiliated scholars, contingent faculty, faculty in settings other than higher education, graduate and undergraduate students, and non-academics invested in Wallace’s work. Full panel proposals and roundtable proposals are welcome as well. We encourage panels that span a variety of faculty ranks and institutions.

Submit an abstract of 300 words (for a max. 20-minute presentation) and brief biographical info to [email protected] by February 27, 2026. Submissions should include your name, affiliation (if any), and email address. Please specify any special AV or scheduling needs when submitting your proposal.

Further details about the conference, including keynotes and accommodations, will be posted at https://dfwsociety.org/dfw26/.

We intend to communicate decisions on paper selection before April 1, 2026.