Black Germany & Beyond 2020 POSTPONED 

It is with great regret that we decided – in the face of the COVID-19-epidemy – that it is no longer practical or ethical to continue with the conference as planned. We are, therefore, postponing – not cancelling – our conference due to the recent developments. We tried to delay this decision as long as possible, since we were looking forward to our conference and its surrounding debates.

But in the meantime, an increasing number of universities and academic institutions around the world have either advised faculty, staff, and students to restrict travel or banned it altogether. Today, Tuesday, 10 March 2020, the situation has escalated: Italy is under quarantine, universities in Austria stopped teaching, the same applies to some other European countries.  And within the past hour, Rutgers University, the host institution for this year’s conference, cancelled all on-campus instruction and gatherings until at least April 15.   

All we can do now is to postpone the conference until a date to be announced, hopeful that we will get all of our sponsors on board again.  We understand that postponing the conference may mean a financial loss for you, e.g. not getting any refunds for the already booked accommodation.  If a letter from Rutgers University would be helpful, explaining that the conference was postponed due to COVID-19, please feel free to reach out directly to conference co-organizer Keith Green (keigreen@camden.rutgers.edu).

Refunds will be offered to anyone who has already paid the conference registration fee.  However, if you plan to attend in August, there is no need to withdraw and then resubmit your funds. As the situation evolves, we will keep you informed. Again, we’re hopeful about seeing everyone in August.  In the meantime, please stay safe.