Mythologium 2026 | ISMythology

MARCH 13-15, 2026 | ONLINE

7th Mythologium Conference

Registration Opens Soon!

Where ancient wisdom meets contemporary challenges through the power of mythic imagination.

Mythology conveys ancestral wisdom, highlights cultural themes, and provides prescient insight through collective imagination. Mythic imagination has the potential to guide us during times of personal and collective challenges.

As mythologist and 2024 Mythologium keynote speaker Michael Meade says: "Myth reconnects us to the deep story of life, reminding us that imagination and soul are the renewable energies that can sustain the world."

Join mythologists, scholars, writers, artists, students, scientists, psychologists, teachers, storytellers, and visionaries from around the world as we explore how mythic imagination can illuminate paths of renewal in our contemporary world.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Classicist, Historian, & Author

Dr. EMILY HAUSER

Dr Emily Hauser is the Keynote Speaker for Mythologium. She will be speaking live (via Zoom) on Friday, March 13th, 2026.

Dr. Hauser is an award-winning classicist, historian, and author. She has a Ph.D in Classics from Yale University, and was a Junior Fellow at the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. Her books include Mythica and Penelope’s Bones.

In Mythica, Dr Hauser tells the extraordinary stories of the real women behind some of the Western world’s greatest legends: weaving a new history of the Bronze Age Aegean and a journey through Homer’s epics charted entirely by women – from Helen of Troy to Circe, Cassandra to Aphrodite by way of Hera, Calypso, and Penelope.

In this ground-breaking reassessment of the reality behind the oft-mythologised women of Greece’s greatest epics, Hauser draws on original texts, recent archaeological discoveries, and the latest DNA studies to radically reappraise ancient Greek epic, history and myth as a story of women. It's Janina Ramirez's Femina for ancient Greece.

Thoroughly researched and told with page-turning flair, Mythica brings the lives of the real queens, female warriors and enslaved women of ancient Greece to light for the first time.

Dr. Hauser read Classics at Cambridge with Mary Beard, where she received a double first with distinction and won the prestigious Chancellor's Medal for Classical Proficiency. She is now Senior Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter, and teaches and researches on women's writing, ancient and modern.

ISM is thrilled that Dr. Hauser is the Keynote Speaker on the opening day of The Mythologium. Besides her incredible scholarship, her work epitomizes the theme of the conference, Mythic Imagination.

CONFERENCE TRACK PANELS
& MYTH FLIX SUBJECTS

The following is a full list of track subjects for both the Track Panels and Myth Flix, in theme with Myth and Creativity:

Animals, Plants, Nature, Ecology

Mythologies across cultures and time emphasize the importance of nature, animals, plants and the earth to our soul, purpose, and the divine. In our modern world as we encounter more isolation and an epidemic of loneliness despite increased ways of connecting, how can myths about animals, nature, plants and the planet bring us back to soul, purpose, and community?

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Mythic Earth: Tales of Flora, Fauna, and the Elemental
Nature’s Lore: Ecological Myths and the Voices of the Wild
Sacred Canopy: Mythologies of Green Spaces and Animal Guides

Archaeology & Anthropology

Exploring ancient civilizations and cultural evolution, Archaeology & Anthropology reveal humanity's mythic underpinnings. From buried ruins to generational stories, these fields connect mythic narratives across time. This track delves into how archaeological discoveries and anthropological insights enrich our understanding of myths, bridging mystical pasts with modern societal constructs. We invite proposals that lead us in exploration of ancient echoes shaping our world and identities, from tribal tales to urban legends.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Ancient Echoes: Unearthing the Mythic Foundations of Humanity
Cultural Relics: Archaeological Insights into Mythic Narratives
Anthropological Myths: From Tribal Tales to Urban Legends

Archetypal Studies & Depth Psychology

Delving into the mysteries of the mind, the Archetypal Studies and Depth Psychology track explores the profound connections between archetypes, myths, and the psyche's deepest layers. This field uncovers the mythic structures that shape our psychological landscapes, examining how archetypes and myths influence our behavior, relationships, and self-perception. From the journey of the psyche to the interplay between shadow and self, this track investigates the recurring patterns that recur in human consciousness. We invite proposals that address how these timeless elements guide our personal growth and understanding, providing a deeper grasp of the universal themes that resonate through our lives.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Psyche’s Journey: Archetypes and Myths in the Depths of the Mind
Shadow and Self: Exploring the Mythic Structure of Psychology
Archetypal Realms: Mythic Patterns in Human Consciousness

Artificial Intelligence & Technology

Venturing into the intersection of technology and mythology, the Artificial Intelligence & Technology track explores how modern myths are woven into the fabric of our digital era. From ancient tales of automatons to contemporary visions of AI gods, this field examines the narrative evolution driven by technological advancement. It considers how stories about technology shape our expectations and fears about the future, and how AI stirs the mythic imagination to create new legends and lore. This track probes the symbiotic relationship between tech-driven myths and human creativity, inviting insights into how these narratives influence society and the individual psyche. We welcome proposals that delve into these dynamic, evolving myths and their impact on our digital futures.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Mythos of Machines: From Automatons to AI Gods
Technological Tales: The New Myths Shaping our Digital Futures
Cybernetic Lore: AI and the Mythic Imagination

Stellar Mythologies

Stellar Mythologies invites us to explore the celestial narratives that have fascinated humanity from ancient times to the present. This track spans discussions from cosmic legends and astro-mythology that bridge ancient lore with sci-fi visions, to the evolving cosmos and stellar mythologies that traverse time. Participants are encouraged to consider how these starry tales reflect our past, present, and future. Proposals are invited that explore the role of celestial myths in culture and their continuing evolution in our collective imagination.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Cosmic Legends: Past, Present, and Future Mythologies of the Stars
Astro-Mythology Across Ages: Bridging Ancient Lore and Sci-Fi Visions
Celestial Myths: Navigating the Stars in Lore and Culture

Career Development

In the realm of Career Development, we explore how mythic archetypes and stories can influence professional growth. From the Hero/Heroine’s Journey in personal development to navigating work life through story and symbol, this track uncovers the profound connections between professional pathways and mythic lessons from legends. It invites an exploration of how these narratives can shape career trajectories and professional identities. We welcome proposals that delve into the intersections of myth and career development, exploring how ancient wisdom informs modern professional journeys.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Hero’s Journey: Mythic Archetypes in Professional Growth
Mythic Careers: Navigating Work Life Through Story and Symbol
Professional Pathways: Lessons from Legends in Career Development

Justice, Equity, Diversity,
& Inclusion

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are crucial lenses through which to view mythic narratives. This track delves into how myths can reveal and inform concepts of justice, equality, and inclusion. From ancient wisdom on mythic justice to diverse voices in mythological narratives and inclusive stories from around the world, participants will examine the power of myth in shaping societal values. Proposals are invited that explore how these enduring stories can lead to a more equitable and inclusive world.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Mythic Justice: Exploring Equity and Inclusion Through Ancient Wisdom
Legends of Equality: Diverse Voices in Mythological Narratives
Inclusive Mythos: Stories of Justice and Diversity from Around the World

Literature & Mythology

Literature & Mythology explores the intertwined nature of myth and narrative form. From weaving mythic elements into modern literature to understanding the role of epic texts in literary tradition, this track investigates how mythic structures and archetypes permeate literary works. We invite scholars and writers to submit proposals that delve into how myths influence and enhance narrative creativity and literary analysis.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Narrative Threads: Weaving Myth into Modern Literature
Epic Texts: The Role of Myth in Shaping Literary Tradition
Literary Myths: Exploring Archetypal Narratives in Fiction

Popular Culture

Popular culture, frequently dismissed as a lesser form of art, captures the imaginations of billions. In what ways does popular culture engage with mythological themes? What innovative expressions are emerging as they blend with time-honored traditions? Proposals that analyze the influence of mythology in popular culture, from films to comics, are warmly invited.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Myth and Media: Tracing Legends through Popular Culture
Pop Mythology: Superheroes, Cinema, and Storytelling
Cultural Icons: Mythmaking in Modern Media Landscapes

Ritual

How do the dance of myth and the flow of creativity influence the sacred rhythms and rituals that connect us to the divine?

Ritual plays a central role in enacting and preserving myths. This track explores the power of ceremony in mythic contexts, from sacred rites to the ritual roots of storytelling. We encourage participants to examine how rituals embody myths and how these practices convey cultural and spiritual meanings. Proposals are invited that explore the relationship between ritualistic practices and mythic narratives in various cultures.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Ritualistic Resonance: The Power of Ceremony in Mythic Contexts
Sacred Rites: Understanding Myth Through Ritual Practices
Ceremonial Mythology: Exploring the Ritual Roots of Storytelling

Religious Studies

How do mythological narratives influence religious and spiritual traditions? How might the inner mysteries unveiled through myth and creativity reflect and face the beauty of the Divine? This track delves into how mythology underpins religious beliefs and practices, exploring the mythic roots of faith and folklore across diverse cultures. We invite proposals that consider how myths and religious narratives intersect, influence, and inspire spiritual life and cultural traditions.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Sacred Stories: Exploring Mythology within World Religions
Divine Narratives: The Mythic Underpinnings of Religious Belief
Faith and Folklore: Intersections of Religion and Myth

Textual, Translations, & Comparative Mythology

Textual, Translations, and Comparative Mythology examines how myths travel and transform across cultures and languages. From mythic translations that bridge cultural divides to comparative studies of legends and scriptural myths, this track invites a deeper understanding of how stories adapt and resonate globally. We invite proposals that explore the nuances of translating and comparing myths, shedding light on their universal and unique aspects across different societies.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Mythic Translations: Bridging Cultures Through Story
Comparative Legends: Cross-Cultural Studies in Mythology
Scriptural Myths: Exploring the Variants of Tales Across Time and Space

Gender Studies & Sexuality

How have myths and creative narratives from various cultures explored the depths of human sexuality, desire, and intimacy, delving into taboos, gender roles, and the mystical aspects of erotic love through the symbolic lens of storytelling? We invite proposals that explore the intersections of mythology with gender identity and sexuality, offering fresh insights into old narratives and their modern implications.

Possible Topics (Suggested but not limited to these):

Mythic Genders: Exploring Sexuality and Identity in Lore
Queer Myths: Tales of Gender Fluidity and Sexuality Across Cultures
Gendered Lore: Revisiting the Myths of Masculinity and Femininity

PRESENTATION FORMATS

TRACK PANELS

Deliver your research in a 15-minute live presentation as part of a themed panel discussion, followed by interactive Q&A with fellow presenters and attendees.

MYTH FLIX

Submit a pre-recorded 15-minute presentation incorporating scholarly research, performances, and/or artistic creations. Perfect for international presenters or those unable to attend live. Videos will be available to all attendees during and after the conference. Select Myth Flix entries will be featured at our special Watch Party.

A ROOM OF WONDERS

Showcase your mythological-themed artwork, music, video, or photography in our online gallery. Featured artists will participate in a special Q&A panel during the conference.

Submit Proposal Here