The “Maps in American Literature” international symposium will take place at the ENS de Lyon, France, on April 1-3, 2026. The symposium explores how maps have shaped American literature from the era of exploration to the present day. The symposium will include several panels exploring different periods and aspects of the interactions between American texts and cartographic documents. It will feature 3 keynote speakers and different workshops and presentations:

Keynote 1: Martin Brückner (U. of Delaware), “Mapping With/Out Maps: the Cartographic Imagination in American Literature,” Wednesday, April 1, 10:30 AM.
Keynote 2: Sarah Sense (Chitimacha / Choctaw), independent artist, and Caroline Wigginton (U. of Mississippi), “Mapping with Trees: A Co-Learning from Indigenous American Literatures,” Thursday, April 2, 9:30 AM.
Sarah Sense will also give a separate talk about her work on Friday, April 3 at 9:30 AM. Sarah Sense (www.sarahsense.com) uses traditional weaving techniques to create works based on ancient maps, photographs, and Indigenous patterns.
The French publishing company Éditions Marchialy will present their work with and around maps on Friday, April 3 at 1:30 PM.

The symposium will take place at the ENS de Lyon, room D8.001, at 15 parvis René Descartes in Lyon, France. Métro station: Debourg.
All sessions will take place in person only. No remote attendance will be possible.
The event is free and open to the public.
More info and program: https://maps2026.sciencesconf.org/

Organized by Aurore Clavier (Université Paris Cité), Monica Manolescu (University of Strasbourg, USIAS), Julien Nègre (ENS de Lyon, IUF) and Pauline Pilote (Université Bretagne Sud).