Convention

Marshall McLuhan often spoke of many ways borders were falling — of our world as increasingly “without walls,” in a reapplication of Andre Gide’s original coining. He forecast both benefits and drawbacks as outcomes of incoming change. He saw danger in a wide-open global village but would have considered current calls for actual walls as “rear view mirror thinking” — ineffective, change-resistant thinking.

We are proposing the conference theme—crossing[out] borders in our global village — as a generative and open cue, inviting rather than forfending explorations. It has multiple applications. Anyone attending the conference will have crossed some sort of border, and many of us do research that considers the power of relationality and purpose of differentiating. Figuratively, many of us cross borders by blending disciplinary interests or research methods. We chose our theme to suggest that all avenues are open, all topics welcome for review.

Winnipeg welcomes you as the hometown of Marshall McLuhan, a founding figure of the MEA. We will offer an opportunity for you to tour several sites connected to McLuhan: his family home on Gertrude Ave, the University of Manitoba where he received an undergraduate degree, and the Red River where he practiced sailing with his brother in their home-made boat. There are other cultural markers to enjoy: the Museum for Human Rights, the Forks Market, and the newly-opened Qaumajuq, the foremost Inuit Art gallery.

We look forward to hosting you and convening a vibrant MEA Conference.

For more information, contact convention organizer Jaqueline McLeod Rogers at j.mcleod-rogers@uwinnipeg.ca.