The Otterdam Furry Arts Festival (otterdam.art) will host the world’s first furry studies conference, with the theme of “Being Furry”. With support from Swansea University (UK) and Birmingham City University (UK), the all-day conference will bring together academics from around the globe to “formalise a field of ‘furry studies’ that explores and examines this creative community.”

Its chairs “encourage the submission of proposals for academic papers, short workshops, practitioner-based activities, best-practice showcases, and pre-formed panels. We welcome established academics at all stages of their careers, and warmly embrace independent scholars. We also encourage submissions from non-academic furries and welcome other presentation formats such as photographic essays, alternative presentation styles, etc.”

The deadline for abstracts and/or proposals is Monday, 10 June 2024 (update: 24 June 2024) at 1700 (UTC). All submissions will be double-reviewed by a panel of researchers who are actively involved in furry fandom. Submitters will be notified of the panel’s decision on 1 July 2024.

For further information, see https://furrystudies.org.