INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE, LANGUAGE AND POPULAR CULTURE Theme: Youth Voices Unbound Reimagining Worlds Through Young Adult Literature, Language, and Popular Culture Distinguished Speakers Prof. Mabel Evwierihoma Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja Keynote Speaker 1 Prof. Karin Lesnik-Oberstein Director of the Graduate Centre for International Research in Childhood: Literature, Culture, Media (CIRCL), University of Reading, UK Keynote Speaker 2 Patrick Oguejiofor YAL Author & Publisher, Abuja Lead Paper Presenter 1 Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, PhD Chairman, T.Y. Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) Lead Paper Presenter 2 Chief Dr. Iganya Joy Agene Idoko Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank Distinguished Global Youth & Eco-Future Awardee Host Dr. Peter Ochefu Okpeh Head, Department of English and Literary Studies Chief Host Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja Special Guest of Honour Hon. Aridajo Monday Anyabe Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Kogi State --- SUB-THEMES 1. Digital Dialects: Young Adult Language in Social Media and Memes 2. Fanfiction Frontiers: Remixing Canon in Pop Culture 3. Afrofuturism/Africanfuturism in Young Adult Literature: Imagining Postcolonial Futures 4. Queering Narratives in Young Adult Literature and Media 5. Environmental Action Through Young Adult Stories, Songs, and Films 6. Hybrid Tongues: Pidgin, Slang, and Global Youth Identities 7. Graphic Grit: Comics, Manga, and Visual Pop Culture 8. Protest Poetry: Language of Resistance in Street Literature and Hip-Hop 9. Literature–Technology Horizons: Virtual Reality (VR), Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs), and Immersive Young Adult Worlds 10. Adaptation and Popular Media Including Digital Platforms 11. Pedagogy and Teaching of Young Adult Literature 12. Gender, Sexuality, and Power Relations 13. Migration, Displacement, and Belonging 14. Ethics, Morality, and Defiance in Spoken Word Poetry 15. Convergence of Young Adult Culture in Transmedia Narrative 16. Dystopian Rhetorics and Youth Mobilisation --- IMPORTANT INFORMATION Abstract Submission Deadline: 30th September 2026 Conference Date: 4th–6th November 2026 Submission Guidelines: Abstract limit: 200–300 words Font: Times New Roman, 12 Designated Email: youngadultconference2026@gmail.com --- REGISTRATION FEES Regular: ₦30,000 International Participants: $40 Students: ₦10,000 Payment Details Account Name: Department of English and Literary Studies Affairs Account Number: 0107314096 Bank: Sterling Bank --- ORGANISING COMMITTEE Host: Dr. Peter Okpeh — 08068242965 LOC Chair 1: Prof. Abel Joseph — 08037015394 LOC Chair 2: Dr. Abba Abba — 08038756759 LOC Secretary: Dr. Ezekiel Olajimbití — 08066449004 Celebrating Youth. Amplifying Voices. Reimagining Tomorrow.
