What is PACES?

PACES (Pamukkale Conference of English Studies) is an annual one-day conference organized by the Department of English Language and Literature, Pamukkale University, providing a distinctive platform exclusively for undergraduate students to present their academic work. First held on 27 May 2016, the conference welcomed over 50 undergraduate participants from universities across Turkey. Since then, PACES has been held annually, establishing itself as a decade-long tradition of academic exchange at undergraduate level. The forthcoming tenth edition in 2026 will celebrate this milestone with the theme “Fantasy.”

Purpose and Vision

PACES has been organised annually with the aim of bringing together promising undergraduates in an academic setting where they can present their own papers and discuss literary and cultural topics. The purpose of the conference is to provide future academics with a supportive academic platform, fostering an environment of curiosity, critical thinking, and scholarly collaboration. Since its inception, PACES has aimed to be a formative experience in the academic careers of talented students, encouraging them to take their first steps into academia as confident researchers. Each year's conference theme sparks new dialogues, enabling students to explore and share ideas within that thematic focus in a supportive, collegial environment.

Target Audience

PACES is open to all undergraduate students with an interest in literature, language, and related fields. Participants typically come from a range of departments, including English Language and Literature, American Culture and Literature, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, World Languages and Literatures, and Translation Studies, as well as other similar programmes. Students from universities across Turkey are invited to present their work, making PACES a national gathering of emerging scholars. By welcoming students from diverse institutions and backgrounds, the conference builds a bridge between different universities and disciplines, integrating undergraduates into the broader academic community early in their careers.

Scope and Disciplines

While PACES is rooted in English studies, it embraces a broad range of fields through an interdisciplinary approach. Presentations and paper topics at PACES often span areas including:   

  • English and American Literature
  • Comparative Literature
  • Cultural Studies
  • Film and Media Studies (including film, television, and digital media)
  • Translation Studies (translation theory and practice)
  • World Languages and Literatures (non-Anglophone literary traditions)
  • Other interdisciplinary approaches relevant to the annual conference theme

Academic Value and Publication Opportunities

PACES offers undergraduate students a valuable academic experience, often serving as their first opportunity to participate in a scholarly conference. Through the preparation and presentation of their papers, students develop essential research, writing, and public speaking skills within a formal academic setting. Presenting their work and engaging in discussion enables participants to gain confidence while receiving constructive feedback from peers and faculty members. For many, PACES represents a significant first step into academia, providing an early introduction to academic discourse and scholarly practice.

The conference also fosters intellectual exchange and networking by bringing together undergraduate students from universities across the country. This environment encourages the sharing of diverse perspectives and contributes to the broadening of participants’ academic horizons. In addition, keynote speakers offer insights into various fields of literary and cultural studies, further enriching the conference experience.

Moreover, the academic ethos of PACES is reinforced by complementary student-led initiatives within the department. The English Department’s TÜBİTAK-supported HALO Magazine provides students with an additional platform to publish both creative and scholarly work (for details, click here for HALO magazine). Together, PACES and HALO Magazine contribute to the development of a dynamic intellectual community that encourages students to engage with literary and cultural debates beyond the classroom.

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