PGR symposium: Crime Narratives on Screen

Durham University (hybrid)

10th July 2026

Keynote Speaker: Dr Helen Piper (University of Bristol)

Proposal Deadline: May 31st 2026

Funded by BAFTSS, the PGR symposium of Crime Narratives on Screen invites papers that explore how crime narratives engage with social, political, and cultural issues within rapidly transforming screen industries.

In recent years, crime narratives have expanded across media platforms, including films, television series, documentaries, short-form content, and video games. This proliferation has positioned crime as a central storytelling mode within contemporary visual culture. Its global reach invites critical reflection on the ways crime, justice, and morality are framed through screen cultures.

Crime narratives encompass any texts that centre on social transgression, investigation, or the negotiation of deviance and order. This includes genres not conventionally labelled as ‘crime’ within their national or cultural contexts. Submissions from all disciplines and methodological approaches are welcome. 

Submission Guidelines

Individual paper proposals should include:

• a 250-word abstract for a 20-minute presentation, including the paper title, the presenter’s name, email address, and institutional affiliation (if applicable)

• a 100-word biographical note

Pre-constituted panel proposals (three papers) should include:

• the above materials for each participant

• a 250-word panel abstract outlining the panel’s overall theme and rationale
  
  All proposals should be sent to CNS.Durham2026@gmail.com

Contact Information

For inquiries, email CNS.Durham2026@gmail.com