Africa in Transition: Governance, Society and Culture
AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION of AUSTRALASIA AND THE PACIFIC (AFSAAP)
41st Annual Conference
University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney,
November 21st – 23rd 2018
Call for Papers
The African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP) calls for proposals for pre-organized panels, roundtables, thematic conversations and individual papers for its 41st annual meeting to be held at UNSW, Sydney from November 21st to November 23rd 2018.
Recent years have witnessed significant transitions in the governance of African nations. Long-standing leaders, many of whom were major figureheads in the post-colonial era, have given way to demands for change. Sometimes the transitions have been relatively peaceful such as South Africa and Zimbabwe, yet others such as Libya and Egypt have been tumultuous, leaving the nations concerned reeling from the after effects of change. In other nations, the grip of power has been tightened with attempts to do away with term limits or to interfere in the political process surrounding elections. Still others, such as South Sudan, have plunged into civil and ethnic violence which threatens the future stability of this new nation. Climate change, environmental loss and migration are influencing African societies, complicating patterns of governance.
Such changes reverberate across society with calls to rethink the nature of civil society and political participation, as well as the nature of equity and belonging. The call to rethink the way that society functions exists not only in the political sphere, but also across the whole spectrum of the arts and cultural communities as they come together from diverse backgrounds to envisage a different kind of shared future. While the deep challenges that remain must be acknowledged, it is also the case that such change can provide fertile ground for creative thinking and the exchange of ideas between academics, political actors and civil society organizations.
We therefore invite papers that engage with, but are not limited to, the theme: Africa in Transition: Governance, Society and Culture. As always, we bring together scholars working in different disciplines. We invite participants to contribute theoretically innovative and empirically grounded papers, panels and presentations that enhance our understanding of these issues. Though the central focus will be on this broader theme, we also welcome contributions on other topics that consider Africa, or Africa/Australia/Pacific relations and Africans in the region.
Panelists may present only one paper or one other presentation in an alternative format such as a thematic conversation or roundtable. We have set this limit in order to make limited participant spaces available to as many participants as possible.
Individual Papers:
An abstract of maximum 250 words should be sent.
Panels, Thematic Conversations, and Roundtables:
For panel proposals, thematic conversations and roundtables, an overall proposal abstract of maximum 250 words should be sent together with a 250 word abstract for each paper. Please also include names of chair and participants of each panel, thematic conversation or roundtable.
Panels
Send an overall abstract of maximum 250 words, together with a 250 word abstract for each paper. Also include name(s) of chair and participants.
Thematic Conversations:
Thematic Conversations extend on-going conversations among scholars while exploring new trends and approaches. They provide an intellectual venue for like-minded scholars to continue discussions that may have started before and engage in face-to-face academic exchange in an informal structure and with the audience. These might not be formal presentations but must have a chair, participants and a topic. Send an overall abstract of maximum 250 words, together with a 250 word abstract for each paper, name(s) of chair and participants.
Roundtables:
Roundtables provide groups of scholars an opportunity to discuss an issue, share opinions, or just to brainstorm through informed discussion and debate within the wider or the particular fields of scholarship. The roundtable format provides an open discussion where the chair and participants engage themselves and audience in discussion. Send an overall abstract of maximum 250 words, together with a 250 word abstract for each paper, name(s) of chair and participants.
All proposals will be peer reviewed.
Abstracts of proposed papers, panels and roundtables should be sent by July 1st, 2018 to Dr. Anne Bartlett, International Studies, Morven Brown 230, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. Email: a.bartlett@unsw.edu.au A preliminary program will be announced by August 1st, 2018. Late proposals for papers will be considered only if space is available. All proposals will be peer reviewed by the program committee. Registration and conference fees must be paid before presenters will be placed in the formal conference program.
Standard conference technology for Power Point will be available in all rooms. If you think that you may require other forms of technology please notify us ahead of time so that we are better able to accommodate you.