Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central
Eurasian Studies

CONF./CFP. Dynamics of Transformation in Central Asia, Rome, Nov. 5-
6, 2004

Call for Papers

Dynamics of Transformation in Central Asia - Perspectives from the
Field A conference for research students to present and discuss their
fieldwork Rome, Italy: November 5-6, 2004

The Central Asia Research Network (CARN), the UK Central Asia
Graduate Students Network, the Italian Association for the Study of
Central Asia and the Caucasus (ASIAC), and the University of Roma III
(Rome, Italy) are pleased to announce the conference 'Dynamics of
Transformation in Central Asia - Perspectives from the Field'. The
conference is hosted by the Department of History, Geography, and
Anthropology of the University Roma III (Rome, Italy).

The purpose of the conference is to discuss how Central Asian
societies have adapted to, and shaped, social change in the period
since independence from the Soviet Union. The concept of
'transformation' appears to be particularly useful here as it avoids
the teleological and deterministic implications of the term
'transition', whilst allowing us to evaluate the multiplicity of
outcomes in the transformational process.

The conference is conceived to provide a forum for Ph.D. students and
other young scholars in the early stages of their career to discuss
their fieldwork.  They are invited to submit abstracts on research
methods, practices and outcomes in the study of patterns of civic,
political, religious, cultural and economic transformation in
contemporary Central Asia.

Paper proposals are invited to cover one or more of the following
topic areas:

 - Redefining Identities
 - International Politics, Conflict and Security
 - Legal and Constitutional Transformations
 - Culture, Rituals and Religion
 - Civil Society: New Approaches
 - Gender and Family: History and Current Issues
 - Environment and Ecology
 - Economic policies and trends

For the purpose of this conference 'Central Asia' refers primarily to
the five former Soviet republics. Papers are particularly welcome
from researchers from the Central Asian countries. The organisers can
give some  assistance with visas and accommodation, but cannot cover
any international travel expenses.

Submission of Proposals

Proposals should be submitted via e-mail to
  romeconference2004@yahoo.com
(as an attachment in MS Word, RTF or PDF format). Please include:

1) Name
2) Institutional affiliation
3) Title/position
4) E-mail address
5) A one-page resume/CV
6) Title of Paper (maximum 20 words)
7) Abstract of Paper (maximum 500 words)

The working language of the conference is English.

The deadline for abstracts is 25th July 2004. Notification of
acceptance will be by the middle of August. Full details of the
program, conference fee, registration and accommodation arrangements
will be available by the 1st of September.

The Organisers:

This conference builds on the successful experience of postgraduate
conferences organized over the last few years by the Central Asia
Research  Network (CARN), a Europe wide network of young scholars
currently conducting research in and about Central Asia, and the UK
Central Asia Graduate Students Network, affiliated to the Centre for
Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus (SOAS, University of
London).

The Department of History, Geography and Anthropology of the
University of  Rome III (Dipartimento di Studi Storici Geografici
Antropologici, Universita degli Studi Roma Tre) has established
itself as a research-oriented centre  with a strong interest in
issues of development and international cooperation, as confirmed
also by the popularity of its post-graduate program  (MSc in
'Educazione alla Pace: cooperazione internazionale, diritti umani e
politiche dell'Unione Europea').

The Italian Association for the Study of Central Asia and the
Caucasus (ASIAC) has been established in February 2003 as a cross-
disciplinary association gathering scholars with a research interest
in the areas of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is currently based
at the University of Turin (Department of History).

Organising Committee:

Chiara De Santi (European University Institute, Florence, Italy)
Michael Denison (Leeds University, UK)
Matteo Fumagalli (Edinburgh University, UK)
Irene Hilgers (Max-Planck Institute of Social Anthropology in Halle,
Germany)
Paolo Sartori (University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy)
Tommaso Trevisani (Centre for Development Research, Bonn, Germany)

For all enquiries contact romeconference2004@yahoo.com. Please
specify 'Enquiry' in the subject of the email.