A genealogy of the concept of “Mad Studies”

This chapter traces the concept of “Mad Studies” back to the first time it entered the author’s consciousness, and subsequently examines how the concept has evolved since its launch in 2008. The author is credited with being the first to use the concept at an academic conference at Syracuse University. He makes clear, however, that he also introduced the concept to a Mad Students Society listserv whose reach extended well beyond academia. The purpose of the chapter is to consider the context in which the concept of Mad Studies emerged, and in particular to clarify how the concept relates to the Mad movement. Also discussed is the role of madness, such as the apparent necessity of veering into madness in order to think a new concept.