The relationship between music, sound, and memory has become a focal point of scholarly inquiry in recent years, illuminating the intricate connections between auditory experiences, cognitive functions, and how these might be written down or discussed in a wider dialogue within culture. Researchers have begun to explore the way various musical elements, such as melody, rhythm, and harmony, can evoke specific memories and emotional responses, thereby influencing individual recollection and perception of past events. This exploration has revealed that auditory stimuli (for example, melodies and other musical material) can serve as powerful triggers for memory recall, often eliciting vivid recollections deeply intertwined with personal experiences (Jancke 2008, 21.3).

At the same time, music and sound are also mobilized to build collective or cultural memories (Assmann 1995, 125–133). These processes can vary widely, from the historical negotiation that elevates a genre into a paradigm for national identity (L’Hoeste & Vila 2017) to the relationship between nostalgia and soundscapes (Brusila, Johnson & Richardson 2016). Further, music, sound and memory can also reflect political meaning, particularly in struggles between ideology and hegemony (Frith 1996), and shape both autobiographical and collective memories.

This conference aims to explore multidisciplinary approaches in the fields of Music Studies, Culture Studies, Literary Studies, Sound Studies, and Memory Studies. Contributions are welcome on (but not limited to) the following topics:

· Autobiographical memory and music or sound;

· Autobiography and the recording/description of music in literature;

· Music, sound, identity, and the politics of memory;

· Collective and/or individual memories and soundscapes;

· Nostalgia and sonic environments;

· Music/sound in film, media, and popular culture;

· The relationships between music, sound, and memory in literature;

· Transcultural and postcolonial perspectives on music and sound

We particularly encourage abstract submissions from early-career researchers, PhD candidates, and independent scholars, as well as posters from MA candidates. Authors are also kindly asked to specify whether they have used AI or any other Large Language Model (LLM) in the writing of their abstract. The conference organizers are additionally considering the possibility of publishing conference proceedings, pending funding approval.

Submission Guidelines

All proposals must be submitted to: cecc.fch@ucp.pt
Papers: Submit a 300-word abstract for a 20-minute presentation, including a working title, a brief bio note (max. 150 words), and contact details.

Posters: Submit a 250-word abstract for a poster. The finalized poster must be submitted as A0-size (with Introduction, Objectives, Method, Discussion, and Conclusion), structured for a 5-minute presentation.

● Deadline for abstract submission: 16 January 2026

● Notification of acceptance: 01 February 2026

● After acceptance of abstracts, participants will be asked to register for the conference.

For more information: https://cecc.fch.lisboa.ucp.pt/en/news/music-sound-and-memory

Registration fees & deadlines

The registration fee includes coffee breaks and conference materials.

Early bird registration (1 - 28 February): €75

Regular registration (1 - 15 March): €100

Late registration (16 - 20 March): €125

References Assmann, Jan. 1995. ‘Collective Memory and Cultural Identity’. New German Critique, no. 65, 125–33. https://doi.org/10.2307/488538.

Baumgartner, Michael, and Ewelina Boczkowska. 2020. Music, Collective Memory, Trauma, and Nostalgia in European Cinema after the Second World War. London: Routledge.

Belfi, Amy M., and Kelly Jakubowski. 2021. ‘Music and Autobiographical Memory’. Music & Science 4 (January):20592043211047123. https://doi.org/10.1177/20592043211047123.

Brusila, Johannes, Bruce Johnson, and John Richardson, eds. 2016. Memory, Space and Sound. Bristol Chicago, Illinois: Intellect Ltd. DeNora, Tia. 2000. Music in Everyday Life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Frith, Simon. 1996. Performing Rites: On the Value of Popular Music. Harvard: Harvard University Press. Jäncke, Lutz. 2008. ‘Music, Memory and Emotion’. Journal of Biology 7 (6): 21.

L’Hoeste, Héctor Fernández, and Pablo Vila. 2017. Sound, Image, and National Imaginary in the Construction of Latin/o American Identities. Bloomsbury