CFP – New Terms, New Horizons: Conceptualizing Digital Narrative

This workshop offers a platform for discussing (emerging) terminology in the field of (born-) digital literature and culture to gain new perspectives on digital narrative and identifying directions for future research. We invite contributions that examine existing concepts, propose new terms, or reconsider established terminology for the study of digital narrative, while reflecting on their analytical potential as well as their limitations. 

A central objective of the workshop is to collaboratively expand the Living Glossary of Digital Narrative (external link) (LGDN), a newly established open-access resource in this field. Launched in 2025, the Living Glossary is hosted by the Center for Digital Narrative (CDN) at the University of Bergen, one of the leading research centres for electronic literature and digital narrative in shifting cultural contexts, in close collaboration with the University of Stuttgart. 

Designed as a dynamic and collaborative resource, the Glossary adapts to developments in the field, accommodating evolving terminology both within and across disciplines. Its entries are continuously expanded through contributions from different disciplinary backgrounds, career stages, and professional contexts. 

We welcome presentations from contributors at all career stages, including students. Contributors may focus on terms included in the LGDN list and/or introduce new terms or concepts that should be added to the Living Glossary. 

Presentations should address the following aspects:

• a definition of the term or concept 
• its significance for the study of digital narrative 
• a brief overview of its use in existing research and/or digital culture
• examples from digital literature and culture
• cross-references to related concepts (where applicable)
• discussion questions to encourage engagement and reflection of participants during the 
  workshop.

If you wish to participate in the workshop, please submit an abstract on a specific term or concept (up to 250 words) for a 10–15-minute presentation, together with a short bio (max. 100 words) to kerstin.kurz@ilw.uni-stuttgart.de by 24 August 2026.

The workshop is organised as part of the project Born Digital, funded by the Baden-Württemberg-Foundation. The BWS plus-project “Born Digital: Towards a Glossary of Digital Narrative” is carried out by the Baden-Württemberg  Stiftung as part of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM programme for university students.