Unsolicited applications are welcomed from those seeking to participate in the conference. Applications will be accepted from both established scholars and those currently undertaking their PhD or other substantive research process. Preference will be given to those applicants whose proposed paper is based on recent fieldwork.
Initial applications should include:
- An abstract outlining the proposed paper (max. 250 words);
- A brief note (max. 250 words) indicating the nature of fieldwork conducted (if any); and
- A brief biography outlining (where applicable) position and institutional affiliation, research interests, previous education, relevant posts held, awards or grants attained, and any recent or forthcoming publications (max. 250 words).
Please submit all applications by January 14, 2018. Applications should be sent by email to cica.yale.2018@gmail.com. Any questions on the conference or application procedure can be sent to the same email address.
Successful applicants will be notified by January 31, 2018. They will then be requested to prepare an extended abstract (of approx. 2,000 words) for presentation at the conference. Final papers (of approx. 6-8,000 words) will be requested in early September, following completion of the conference, for possible publication.
Applicants are encouraged to be innovative in the framing of their abstract, within the broad boundaries of the orienting concepts of identity, social organization, intersectionality and social change in contemporary Afghanistan.
Several forms of identity are suggested for potential exploration by applicants including: ethnicity and race; gender or sexual orientation; generational membership; national or regional identity; religious and sectarian affinity; or political affiliation. Furthermore, topics participants might explore include, but are not restricted to:
- the growing prevalence of ethnic identity in modern-day Afghan politics;
- the emerging character of Afghan national identity and its shifting relationship with ethnic, regional or other identities;
- changing transnational/cross-border dynamics of identity linking Afghans and co-religionists/co-ethnics in neighboring countries;
- emerging perceptions of femininity/masculinity or hetero/homosexuality in present-day Afghanistan;
- the shifting importance or framing of class relations in Afghan society;
- identity politics surrounding ‘returnee’ identities versus those who remained in-country throughout the previous decades of conflict; and/or
- the changing salience of generational membership, in relation to an increasingly modernized and educated youth.
Funding is available for the travel and accommodation costs of successful applicants. Accommodation will be provided for two nights for those traveling domestically, and three nights for those traveling internationally. Economy fare travel will also be offered to all applicants. Speakers will also be provided lunch and hosted for dinner on both days of the conference.