The night has been the subject of multiple readings by the social and human sciences, as well as it has inspired multiple narratives throughout history, literature and popular culture. However, the study of nightlife, practices, and actors only gained attention in recent years.
The appearance of “mayors of the night” with the intention of improving urban governance during this period and thus guaranteeing needs, rights and services is the result of a progressive change in the local political paradigm, which begins to face this space-time as a “new” opportunity for its economic, social and cultural development. We could say that the night and the activities that take place in it begin to be projected as forms of tourist attraction, whether for their leisure activities such as discos, parties or other forms of fun; or because of its cultural potential, such as the White Nights.
Contemporary urban night implies having active professionals, capable of reacting to any incident, such as the case of health professionals, but also maintaining those professions – often illegal – that tend to be considered problematic or hidden as could be prostitution. Surveillance and control during this period is also a good example of active professions, such as the case of the police, surveillance companies, video-doorman, or firefighters.
It has never been so easy to commute in the urban space, public transport normally meets the needs of users, and the emergence of new forms of transport resulting from the circular economy, both of people and goods, completes the demand, not without controversy.
There are many different ways to approach the night, many issues that could be addressed and we invite all researchers, professionals, and artists to participate with outstanding works.
The 1st International Conference on Night Studies is an international event that aims to echo frontier research, artistic works and professional practices related to the study of the urban night in multiple contexts around the world.
This event aims to be a platform for sharing ongoing or recent research, open a critical and interdisciplinary debate, and boost networking, bringing together academia and society.
ICNS will be held in Lisbon on July 2nd and July 3rd, 2020 at ISCTE-IUL. In parallel with the conference sessions, there will be field excursions and other activities related to the night in the Portuguese capital.
The topics include, but are not limited to:
- Myths and prejudices associated with the night
- Experiences in night management
- Public policies and night
- Urban development and the 24h city
- Work and night workers
- Urban regeneration practices associated with night and nightlife
- Night transportation and urban mobility
- Nightlife, tourism, and consumptions
- Nighteconomy
- Culture and arts
- Lighting in urban space: artistic, functional and environmental practices
- Security and vigilance
- Nightlife, culture, and inclusion
- Informality, exclusion and/or marginality in the nocturnal city
- Nocturnal soundscapes, atmospheres, and ambiances
We invite paper and poster submissions, but nontraditional formats will be considered too.
ICNS is a collaborative effort of the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-IUL), the Interdisciplinary Center of Social Sciences (CICS.NOVA), the Institute of Sociology – University of Porto (ISUP) and the LXNIGHTS Network.
ICNS.LX 