The Sound Studies Reading Group is dedicated to critical perspectives in sound studies. In our sessions we work closely with sound materials, using the theoretical texts as support to unpack the implications of working with sounds in an academic setting. We center creative and artistic practices as modes of reflection on/with sound. Our approaches are explicitly oriented towards decolonial, queer and feminist approaches to sound studies. Some of the topics we have covered thus far are the use of voice recording technologies for the determination of asylum seekers’ origin (Lawrence Abu-Hamdan), the implications of decolonizing sound archives (Yamomo and Titus), masculinity and black identities in sound (Nina Sun Eidsheim), queer memories of the AIDS crisis in sound (Groom), sonic fictions (Eshun), etc. We welcome scholars from any discipline and background (academic or not) who are interested in engaging with the sonic.

We meet approximately every 4 weeks on Zoom, for two hours. In preparation we read one text/engage with one sound object. Anyone can suggest readings and facilitate a session. For more information or to join a meeting, please send an email to Luc Marraffa (they/them): l.m.o.marraffa@uva.nl