CALL FOR PAPERS
Un-thinking Asian Migrations: Spaces of flows and intersections
25-26 August 2014, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
The Asian Migrations Research Theme is a collective of scholars working in Asian Studies at the University of Otago. The Asian Migrations Research Theme focuses on movements of peoples and ideas––past and present––in East, South, and South-East Asia and into the Pacific (encompassing the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand). It engages with the fields of diaspora, intercultural, global, and transnational studies, which have grown over the last twenty years to become key frameworks for understanding culture beyond the boundaries of one nation. We see significant shortcomings in the current theories and methodologies of Asian migration and diaspora and especially in their application to the Asia-Pacific region. Our focus on Asian migrations allows us to highlight and address these shortcomings and to develop new approaches. The goal of the Theme is to develop a theoretical and methodological framework for understanding the Asia-Pacific region as comprised by movements of peoples, ideas, and commodities. This symposium sets out to question and challenge current Asian migration studies. It aims to build upon the interdisciplinary foundations inherent in the field and, as the area begins to reach maturity, suggests that there is now a need to broaden, re-think and more importantly, un-think how Asian migration studies are currently conceived. The conference proposes that a broadening of the concept of migration should encompass the movement of ideas, cultures, and objects (as well as people) to offer new, different and fruitful avenues of research that embrace the diversity of scholarship in this field.
We are delighted to welcome two keynote speakers, Associate Professor Eric C. Thompson (Chair of Graduate Studies, Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore) and Professor D. Parthasarathy (Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay).
The Asian Migrations Research Theme at the University of Otago invites abstracts for individual papers and panels for this symposium. Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words; abstracts for panels should provide the title of the panel, detail the scope of the panel, and identify the convenor.
Abstracts should be submitted to asian (dot) migrations (at) otago (dot) ac (dot) nz, by 30 March 2014.
The early-bird registration rates (closes 13 June) is NZD $120 (waged) and NZD$50 (for postgraduate students). After 13 June the registration rates are NZD $150 (waged) and NZD$70 (for postgraduate students).
Details of payment methods will be announced in due course.
The symposium will be held on the University of Otago campus. There are many accommodation options in Dunedin close to the University. Please refer to the following website for details: http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/otago000807.html.
_______________ Dr. Paola Voci University of Otago / Te Whare Wänanga o Otago http://www.otago.ac.nz/chinese/staff/paola.html
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