Call for papers

The Construction of ‘Us’ and ‘Them’:
Discourses on populism and nationalism

University of Helsinki, 7-8 September 2007

A key
theme in politics, which translates to many fields of study, is
identification * or disidentification. ‘Us’ and the sometimes equally
relevant ‘them’ are articulated at various levels from the family circle,
to the neighbourhood, local identifications, sub-cultural groups,
political parties and social movements, and further to the level of
nationhood and beyond. These may overlap or draw from each other in the
process of their articulation. One of the cases in contemporary Europe,
are the overlapping identifications with the EU, nation, region and the
locality. They may also deal with populism, exclusion and minorities.

A useful tool for recognising and understanding the logics operating in
these processes is discourse theory. The key note speaker at the
conference is professor Ernesto Laclau - an author of, most recently, On
Populist Reason (2005), and also Hegemony and Socialist Strategy; Towards
a Radical Democratic Politics (Verso: London, 1985, with
Chantal Mouffe), New Reflections on Revolutions of Our Time (1990), and
Emancipation( s) (1996). Laclau’s discourse theory have made major
contributions in the field of politics, but also history, literary
studies and sociology, as well as area studies. This is his first visit
to Finland.

The conference seeks to discover different cases, logics and phenomena in
the construction of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Papers addressing nationhood and
populism are particularly sought for, but other ‘we’ groups may also be
studied, with focus on either empirical or theoretical problems - or a
combination of both.

The aim of the conference is to allow a truly interdisciplinary forum for
the study of these questions. The conference language is English.
Abstracts for presentations (ca. 150 words) should be emailed to the
conference organiser by 15 March 2007.

The conference is organised by Emilia Palonen on behalf of the Academy of
Finland funded research
project Nations and Their Others: The Finns and the Hungarians since
1900, led by Heino Nyyssönen. It is supported by the Aleksanteri
Institute, the Department of Government and the Collegium Helsinki at the
University of Helsinki.

Contact:
Dr. Emilia Palonen,
University of Helsinki
emilia.palonen@ helsinki. fi
emiliapalonen@ yahoo.co. uk
(please use both addresses)
Tel. +358 40 5077198

Conference: Beyond the Nation?: Critical Reflections on Nations and Nationalism in Uncertain Times
School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland
12-14 September 2007
(Pre-conference Workshop, 10-12 September 2007)
Deadline for submission of title/abstract: 1 March 2007
Paper acceptance notification 2 April 2007
Registration Deadline: 14 May 2007

Few ideas have proved more alluring and yet controversial than nationhood and nationalism. Celebrated by some as the source of political value and a key organizational principle, decried by others as treacherous and intellectually moribund, the nation and its attendant ideologies have endured despite the momentous upheavals of the 20th century. But in an age of increasing globalization and political fragmentation, does the nation have the relevance it once had? Are we, in short, finally moving into a post-national era? A major interdisciplinary conference, “Beyond the Nation? Critical Reflections on Nations and Nationalism in Uncertain Times” will explore the nation and nationalism as realities and ideals in the early 21st century. Its goal is to bring together leading international researchers and thinkers from the fields of nationalism studies, ethnic conflict studies, multiculturalism, comparative politics, European studies, international relations/theory, political history, political theory/philosophy, social history/theory, and law to critically interrogate the role and viability of nationalism in our time.

The conference will take place in Queen’s University Belfast’s central campus and run over a three day period, from Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th September inclusive. It will be comprised of three strands, each strand taking the form of a workshop devoted to a particular sub-theme(s) or discipline(s). There will be a number of plenary and keynote speeches, as well as social events on each of the evenings, including Friday 14th September.

The conference is open to those who intend to present papers and those who simply want to attend the various workshops. If you would like to give a paper, please submit a title and abstract (150-300 words) to the appropriate workshop convenor. For further details about the conference please visit:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPoliticsInternationalStudiesandPhilosophy/NewsandEvents/BeyondTheNationConference2007/#d.en.51488

Call for Papers - Edited Book
EVERYDAY MULTICULTURALISM

Amanda Wise & Selvaraj Velayutham (editors)

Following a successful conference on Everyday
Multiculturalism organised by the Centre for Research on
Social Inclusion at Macquarie University, Australia
[http://www.crsi.mq.edu.au/news_and_events/everyday_multiculturalism.htm],
we have received expressions of interest from a number of
publishers keen on publishing a collection on this topic.
They have encouraged us to attract a good international
spread of papers.

While research on multiculturalism and racism is well
developed, qualitative research into everyday modes of lived
multiculturalism, remains fairly limited. We invite papers
that explore quotidian experiences of cultural difference
and diversity. Quotidian diversity has been variously
described as ‘togetherness-in-difference’ (Ang 2000), and
‘inhabiting difference’ (Hage 1998). We take the term to
mean those perspectives on cultural diversity which
recognize the embodied or inhabited nature of living with
cultural difference.

We welcome expressions of interest from scholars doing
grounded research on the topic of multiculturalism which
explores the ways in which people experience and (dis)engage
with cultural difference using case studies from around the
world but which also make broader theoretical points
relevant beyond the locality involved. Accessible
theoretical papers which engage with the concept of the
everyday are also welcome. We are interested in papers that
explore the intersections and relationships between cultural
groups, rather than research taking a single ethnic group as
a focus. Papers can also examine:

* Interconnections between the everyday and larger
discourses of multiculturalism and nation;
* Everyday affinities and solidarities
* Everyday disjunctures, discomforts, and racisms between
cultures;
*Modes of living with and across difference in cities,
suburbia or regional areas;
*Food, neighbouring, shopping, school, sport, etc. as sites
for multicultural encounters and negotiations at the
neighbourhood level;
*Multicultural place-sharing and battles over place identity
and belonging.

Perspectives from any discipline are welcome, especially
sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and human geography.

Please send a proposed title, a 500 word abstract and a
short bio by 16 February 2007 to Banu Senay -
[log in to unmask]

Accepted contributions (5-7,000) words will have to be
completed by 31 July 2007 with a view to publication in
early 2008.

For all enquiries please contact - Dr Selvaraj Velayutham
[log in to unmask] or Dr Amanda Wise
[log in to unmask]

Deadline: 15 January 2007

The goal of this Third Millennium Foundation (TMF) initiative is to develop a cadre of young activists from different countries whose understanding of, commitment to and effectiveness in human rights work have been enhanced through a year long , in-depth exposure to and reflection on a broad range of perspectives, situations and
experiences related to human rights issues. Through these practical training fellowships, the Program aims to provide the fellows with the skills necessary to start or advance a career in the field of human rights.

The fellowship involves two different placements, one in the home country of the fellow and one abroad. Fellowships are awarded for practitioners as well as for students (graduate and undergraduate students of any faculty). One of the two placements is in the developing world or, in the country where the fellow intends to start her/his professional career.

Applicants must have two sponsoring organizations engaged in human rights work, broadly defined (or organizations related through a single project). One in the developing world, and one in the country where the fellow intends to pursue her/his professional career. These nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will, in most cases, be involved in human rights education, monitoring, reporting, litigation,
grassroots mobilization, providing direct services or advocacy. Most of these organizations would identify themselves as part of the broader, universal human rights movement, relying on the norms found in United Nations and regional treaties and declarations.

Objectives:

To deepen the fellows’ understanding of the diversity of situations and contexts facing human rights work and human rights activists in different countries as well as their practical and theoretical knowledge of and skills in human rights work and advocacy;
To deepen their understanding of the values underlying human rights work and the moral, emotional and psychological dimensions of that work;
To provide assistance to human rights groups in different countries (including the fellows’ own countries) through the year-long work of the fellows;
To facilitate the development of friendships and collaborative partnerships with young human rights activists from other countries;
To enhance the willingness and ability of young activists from different countries to call on the strengths and experiences of activists in other countries, and lend their own strength and experiences to these same activists;
To enhance the exchange of experiences among human rights groups in different countries through the shared experiences of these young activists.

More Information:

http://www.seedsoftolerance.org/docs/hr_fellowship_app.pdf

http://www.seedsoftolerance.org/initiative_intl_fellowship.html

Deadline: January 15, 2007

2007 ANNUAL SOYUZ SYMPOSIUM

Call for Papers

LOCATING “EURASIA” IN POSTSOCIALIST STUDIES:

THE GEOPOLITICS OF NAMING

April 27-29, 2007

Princeton University

The geographical and symbolic fragmentation of the “Soviet bloc” was one of the main outcomes of the collapse of state socialism in the late 1980s. A seemingly neutral and natural geographical collage of “Eastern Europe,” “the Balkans,” “the Baltics,” “the Caucasus,” “Eurasia,” and “the Central Asia” has replaced the politically enforced unity of the “Second World.” Yet, as some scholars of the region have pointed out, the new mapping of postsocialist space exhibits one persistent tendency: the “westernization” of eastern Europe is accompanied by a simultaneous “easternization” of its margins.

For its 2007 meeting, SOYUZ invites submissions for presentations on the emergence of “Eurasia” as a geocultural space, distinct from and even opposing to “Europe.” How does the reclaimed notion of “Eurasia” help to construct and symbolically uphold eastern borders of new Europe? To what extent this notion was instrumental in shaping new alliances, practices, and identities outside European borders? As at previous SOYUZ meetings, priority is given to rich ethnographic work while entertaining a broad range of topical and ideological terrains.

Presentations may be from any discipline (anthropology, sociology, geography, folklore, political science, history, cultural studies, law, economics, literary scholarship, etc.). We are looking for papers that combine solid archival and/or ethnographic material with theory. We are especially interested in submissions from scholars examining the role of “Eurasia” in the Far East. We will be able to make travel subsidies available for several foreign presenters (from the region).

The symposium has been held annually since 1992, and is at once an intimate forum where scholars can exchange ideas and engage in dialogue and also the site of cutting edge presentations from some of the most exciting thinkers within the growing field of postsocialist research.

(http://www.uvm. edu/~soyuz/ conferences. html)

The 2007 SOYUZ Program committee includes:

Judith B. Farquhar,
Professor of Anthropology and of Social Sciences (University of Chicago)

Kristen Ghodsee,
Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies (Bowdoin College); program
coordinator for SOYUZ

Sergey Glebov,
Assistant Professor of History (Smith College); co-editor of Ab Imperio.

Bruce Grant,
Associate Professor of Anthropology (New York University)

Mark von Hagen,
Boris Bakhmeteff Professor of Russian and East European Studies and Chair,
Department of History (Columbia University)

Krista Hegburg,
Doctoral Candidate, Anthropology (Columbia University)

Serguei Alex. Oushakine,
Assistant Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures (Princeton University)

Please send an abstract (no longer than 500 words) and a brief CV to Serguei Oushakine (oushakin@princeton. edu) by January 15, 2007.

Applicants will be notified of the program committee’s decision in February 2007.