Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Ecologies of Urbanism in Asia II: Cities, Towns, and the Places of Nature

Call for Papers
Ecologies of Urbanism in Asia II: Cities, Towns, and the Places of Nature

June 9-12, 2014
Hong Kong
Application deadline: July 15, 2013
Convenors: Anne Rademacher (NYU) and K. Sivaramakrishnan (Yale)

The organizers seek submissions for a conference to investigate urbanism, nature, and ecological sustainability in Asian cities and towns. The papers will engage cases grounded in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and south China in the following thematic areas: the political ecology of the city, urban environmentalism, nodes and networks, and the social lives of infrastructure. Paper proposals of no more than 300 words (1 double spaced page) and a two-page author's CV showing current institutional affiliation with postal and email addresses, should be sent via email attachment as pdf documents, to Sahana Ghosh, sahana.ghosh@yale.edu. All selected participants will be provided RT economy airfare to Hong Kong and up to six nights' accommodation. This conference follows on Urban Ecologies in Asia held in Hong Kong in 2010.

Theorising Mobilities in/from Asia

Call for Papers
Theorising Mobilities in/from Asia

November 14-15, 2013
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Proposal deadline: June 14, 2013

While mobilities have long been a staple in Asian societies and a force of social transformation throughout history, a greater need/desire for mobility in recent years has impelled new ways of being on the move in Asia. Yet the mobilities literature has remained rooted in the Anglo-American context. This conference invites scholars to explore ways of retrieving lost knowledges of mobilities through a deliberate (re)turn to Asia. In particular, the region is taken as a collective of centers for re-understanding and re-theorizing mobilities in their plurality and, especially, how migration and transport have compelled new social outlooks and modes of organisation in Asian contexts. Conference convenors: Prof. Brenda YEOH, National University of Singapore and Weiqiang LIN, University of London. See the ARI website for full details and for submission information www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1425.

Penang and the Hajj

Call for Papers
Penang and the Hajj

August 17-18, 2013
George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Keynote address by Prof. Eric Tagliacozzo (Cornell)

From the 18th century until the 1970s, Penang was a port of embarkation for aspiring pilgrims travelling by ship to the holy lands. The conference organizers seek papers for a workshop on the Penang and the Hajj, for example: the businesses of Penang Sheikh hajis/pilgrim brokers especially Hadhrami operators and the service industry at the port cluster; religious, social and cultural change stimulated by Hajj returnees; colonial regulations on hajj travel; travel preparations for the pilgrimage; socio-economic dimensions of hajj travel. Paper proposals should consist of an abstract of 300-500 words and short biographical information (100-150 words) and should be sent to Abdur-Razzaq Lubis at namorasende@gmail.com. Abstracts should be submitted by May 6, 2013. The workshop is organised by Penang Heritage Trust www.pht.org.my/ and Think City www.thinkcity.com.my/.

Sites of Knowledge: Space, Locality, and Circulation between Asia and Europe

Call for Papers
Sites of Knowledge: Space, Locality, and Circulation between Asia and Europe

Heidelberg, Germany
August 4-8, 2013
Application deadline: May 31, 2013

The Cluster of Excellence for Asia and Europe in a Global Context at Heidelberg University Summer School 2013 is intended for graduate students with an interest in theories and practices of knowledge production in Asia and Europe. The academic program combines informal lectures with more interactive elements such as reading groups and writing workshops. Confirmed speakers include Christian Jacob (Paris), Dhruv Raina (Delhi), Ruth Rogaski (Vanderbilt), Stephan Günzel (Berlin), Fan Fa-ti (Binghamton) Henrique Leitao (Lisbon), Martin Dusinberre (Newcastle), Eric Hayot (Penn State) and, from Heidelberg University, Frank Grüner, Rui Magone and Joachim Kurtz. For application information see the website www.asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de/en/students/summerschool.html.

Vietnam and World History

Call for Papers
Vietnam and World History

Hanoi, Vietnam, December 29-31, 2013
Deadline for submissions: August 15, 2013
Web announcement: www.thewha.org/files/conference_2013/Hanoi-Call-for-Papers.pdf

The World History Association, in association with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi, the Vietnam History Association and Hawaii Pacific University, and the Vietnam Center and Archive, is issuing an initial Call for Papers for a Symposium on Vietnam in World History.

The program committee can help find a panel chair, if necessary. Individual panelists should then proceed to submit their individual papers to this panel and indicate that it is part of this panel where indicated. Submit via the WHA website link on the organized panel submission site: thewha.org/abstract-submission/hanoi/group.php

Individual paper proposals abstracts must include no more than a 250 word summary with the title of the paper, your name, your institutional affiliation, email address, phone number, and brief curriculum vitae, all submitted to the WHA website link on the individual paper submission site: thewha.org/abstract-submission/hanoi/individual.php

At the request of the conference hosts, the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, University of Social Sciences and Hmanities and the Vietnam History Association, a workshop for Vietnamese teachers on world history will be held immediately prior to the symposium.

Please contact thewha@hawaii.edu for further information or answers to any questions you may have.

CFP: Consensus and Conflict in Contemporary Vietnam

Vietnam Update 2013: Consensus and Conflict in Contemporary Vietnam

The Australian National University, Canberra, 31 October - 1 November 2013

As they approach four decades since the end of the Vietnam Wars, most people in today's Vietnam have no direct personal experience of war or revolutionary violence. Most have known only peace and political stability as they have attempted to benefit from a postwar expansion in socio-economic opportunities and widening of social and cultural horizons. Is this era of peaceable change durable? Have the factors that contributed to decades of destructive wars and divisive social, regional and religious conflicts been resolved decisively?
This Vietnam Update is devoted to the examination of consensus and conflict as key dimensions of contemporary Vietnamese life. The organizers of this year’s Update seek papers which combine first-hand research with critical analysis and the ability to place the conference theme in wider social context. We are particularly interested in the following sets of questions:

1. In an era of globalization and markets what is the ‘glue’ that binds together Vietnamese society? What integrating or co-ordinating role is played by state institutions? How effective are the country’s longstanding political institutions in responding to demands for change?

2. Is nationalism–official and non-official–a unifying force? What other rallying-points and processes promote consensus and community from ‘micro’ to ‘macro’ societal levels?

3. How important in the regulation of social, economic and political affairs are formal conventions and written agreements? Are unwritten norms and rules potentially more binding? What part is played in the regulation of social life or in mobilisation for change by sentiments, memories, stories, symbols and rites?

4. Despite an official emphasis on stability and harmonious integration, conflicts and disputes are a prominent feature of Vietnam’s domestic landscape. What do disputes and conflicts tell us about the grievances and fault-lines that divide the society? By what means, formal and informal, are such disputes articulated, managed and resolved? Of what relevance today are the politics of resistance and revolution by which the ruling party came to power?

5. What are Vietnam’s prospects and means for peaceable dealings with its neighbours, most importantly with China? How might Vietnam find itself aligned in emerging regional, transnational and global conflicts? What structures, forces, passions and trends shape the country’s negotiation of its fast-changing regional context and new security challenges?

Interested writers are invited to submit paper proposals on the above themes. We do not expect each paper to address all the sets of questions noted above. We would like, however, each paper to take up issues from more than one of these sets. Papers can approach the issues in different ways; we expect variety in this regard. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged Contributions should endeavour to put the discussion in comparative perspective.
Proposal Submission: Contributors should send their proposals and a one page CV to Philip Taylor by 25 May 2013. Email: Philip.taylor@anu.edu.au

Each proposal should be no longer than 600 words. The proposal should outline how the paper relates to the issues highlighted in the above set of questions and the kind of research the paper will be based on. The conference organizers will then decide which proposals to accept. We will then extend invitations to the authors of the selected proposals to prepare and present their papers to the conference. The organizers also reserve the right to solicit papers, if necessary, from individuals who did not submit proposals.
Funding for travel and accommodation is available and details will be discussed later with each paper presenter.
Paper Specifications: The paper itself should be submitted 30 days before the date of the conference. The paper should not exceed 10,000 words and it should include appropriate bibliography and citations. Each paper should include an abstract of 200 words.
Presentation and Publication: We envisage about ten paper presentations during a one and a half day workshop in Canberra on 31 October and 1 November 2013.
At the Update each author will have approximately 40 minutes to summarize what her/his paper argues and the evidence used. The conference will also have to other presentations about recent political and economic developments in Vietnam. The full text of the paper may be included subject to any necessary revisions to meet publication requirements, in a refereed book that we hope will be published within a year after the conference.
For more information on this Vietnam Update theme or questions about paper proposals please contact the Update convenors John Gillespie (john.gillespie@monash.edu) and Philip Taylor (philip.taylor@anu.edu.au).

CFP: Western Conference of the Association for Asian Studies

Asia in Memory and Imagination

Western Conference of the Association for Asian Studies
September 27-28, 2013
Weber State University, Shepherd Union Building, Ogden, Utah 84408

We welcome faculty, scholars and students from all disciplines to submit proposals for papers, panels, roundtables, poster exhibits, or workshops.
Proposal Deadline: August 1, 2013
Visit our website: www.weber.edu/WCAAS
Contact: Greg Lewis, Program Chair, 801-626-6707 or glewis@weber.edu

CFP: Urban Hybridity in the Post-Colonial Age

December 16-20, 2013
Macau
Deadline for applications: May 16, 2013
Co-hosted by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) and and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Macau. Ph.D. students accepted to the program will have the opportunity to present their research and receive productive critical feedback from scholars and their student peers. The session will close with a one-day conference where selected participants will present their revised papers. Academic Directors: Prof. Engseng Ho (Duke), Prof. Akhil Gupta (UCLA) and Prof. Michael Herzfeld (Harvard). See the IIAS program page for more details and information on how to apply www.iias.nl/masterclass/urban-hybridity-post-colonial-age.

Being Muslim: How Local Islam Overturns Narratives of Exceptionalism

Call for Proposals
Being Muslim: How Local Islam Overturns Narratives of Exceptionalism

Web announcement: as.vanderbilt.edu/religiousstudies/IslamProject.php

The overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide live outside the Middle East, especially in Africa and Asia, but the Islam they practice is generally devalued in public discourse in favor of the idealized Arabic-centric standard forms, especially found in Saudi Arabia and Egypt; likewise the majority of Muslims worldwide do not speak Arabic. This project seeks to bring together several generations of scholars from all parts the world to complicate our—and the public’s—understanding of the ways Islam has naturalized itself in communities worldwide, including more recent developments in Europe and America.

To apply, please submit a title and 250-300 word précis to Morgan Cates, Administrative Assistant, Department of Religious Studies, Vanderbilt University, email: morgan.cates@vanderbilt.edu. It would be most helpful if you would include an updated CV or the URL of your personal website where your credentials can be found. Scholars from all ranks, independent and within the academy, are encouraged to apply. Electronic submissions only.

Thailand in the World

Call for Papers
Thailand in the World

Web announcement: sydney.edu.au/southeast-asia-centre/thai-studies-2014/call-for-panels-papers.shtml

The International Conference on Thai Studies is held every three years, hosted either by a Thai university or by a university outside of Thailand where there is an interest in Thai studies. The University of Sydney is pleased to host the next conference from 22 to 24 April 2014.

Abstracts of papers due by 1 September 2013.

History, current and future directions of Buddhism in Australasian region

Call for Papers
History, current and future directions of Buddhism in Australasian region

6 - 8 February 2014, Perth, Western Australia.

Web announcement: www.buddhismandaustralia.com/
Deadline for Abstracts: September 30, 2013
Submit to the following e-mail: info@buddhismandaustralia.com

THEORISING MOBILITIES IN/FROM ASIA

THEORISING MOBILITIES IN/FROM ASIA
Date: 14-15 November 2013
Venue: Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Website: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1425

Asia’s rapid ascension to become a beacon of 21st century development has ostensibly rendered the region that much more dynamic and fluid. In particular, the continent now seems abuzz with activities involving the circulation of large numbers of people and goods between and within countries and urban centers. While mobilities have long been a staple in Asian societies and a force of social transformation throughout history, a greater need/desire for mobility in recent years has impelled new ways of being on the move in Asia. Of note, fresh outlooks have emerged in relations to the organisation of. as well as people's aspirations for, migration and transport mobilities—at times resulting in new innovations and phenomena, and at others, seeing the importation and re-circulation of different models.

Shifting the focus to these themes inevitably plugs Asian social research to literatures subscribing to the mobilities turn. Of note, there is growing awareness among scholars that societies are principally loose formations shaped and reshaped by the very condition of flux and restlessness, rather than stable, self-evident entities. From how urban rhythms alter the city’s fabric to how international travel is governed, scholars have outlined the disparate ways in which places are animated, made meaningful, and moulded out of mobile ideologies and practices. The resulting scholarship is also one that does not seek to locate stasis, but one that tries to unfix apparent, but misleading, 'fixities'.

Despite this newfound emphasis, the mobilities literature has remained rooted in the Anglo-American context within which it first gained prominence. Its disposition, it seems, remains to valorise, even universalise, ‘western’ theories, terminologies and perspectives about moving, so much so that 'Other' expressions of mobilities have been silenced or excluded. This conference thus invites scholars to explore ways of retrieving these lost knowledges of mobilities through a deliberate (re)turn to ‘Asia’. In particular, the region is taken as a collective of centres for re-understanding and re-theorising mobilities in their plurality and, especially, how migration and transport have compelled new social outlooks and modes of organisation in ‘Asian’ contexts. In building such a cosmopolitan case, participants are encouraged to engage with the following questions:

• What do mobilities (and mobile subjects) mean in the region, and how are they expressed through migration and transport?
• How have mobilities in Asia developed over time and through disparate historical pathways?
• What are the impetuses for mobilities in Asia, particularly where organised movements are involved?
• How do different forms of mobilities intersect and to what extent have they challenged regulatory regimes in Asian contexts?
• How do we theorise mobilities in Asia vis-à-vis other regions?

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Paper proposals should include a title, an abstract of 300 words maximum and a brief personal biography of 150 words for submission by 14 June 2013. Please send all proposals to Mr Weiqiang Lin at weiqiang.lin.2011@live.rhul.ac.uk. Click here for the Paper Proposal Submission Form. Successful applicants will be notified by 14 July 2013 and will be required to send in a completed draft paper (5000 - 8000 words) by 14 October 2013.

Based on the quality of proposals and the availability of funds, partial or full funding will be granted to successful applicants. Participants are therefore encouraged to seek funding for travel from their home institutions. Full funding cover air travel to Singapore by the most economical means, plus board and lodging for the duration of the conference.

CONTACT DETAILS

Convenors

Prof Brenda YEOH
Asia Research Institute, Department of Geography,
and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

Mr Weiqiang LIN
Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
E| weiqiang.lin.2011@live.rhul.ac.uk

Secretariat

Miss Sharon ONG
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
#10-01 Tower Block,469A Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259770
E| arios@nus.edu.sg
T| +65 6516 8784
F| +65 6779 1428

Living Alone: Single-Person Households in Asia

CALL FOR PAPERS (DEADLINE: 20 MAY 2013)
Living Alone: Single-Person Households in Asia
Date: 21-22 NOVEMBER 2013
Venue: Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Website: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1420

The primary objective of this conference is to advance theoretical and empirical knowledge on the formation of single-person households in Asia and their implications for individual well-being and intergenerational relations. We invite submission of papers to examine the trends and determinants of single-person households in Asian countries. Longitudinal and comparative works are particularly welcome.

Family structure in Asia has undergone significant changes in the past several decades. A fast-growing trend that has raised concerns by scholars and policy makers is an increase in single-person households. By 2020, it is estimated that four out of the top ten countries with highest number of single-person households in the world will be in Asia. The increase raises questions regarding how family functions, and indeed regarding the definition of family system itself. Statistics show a high level of heterogeneity among groups who live alone, some by choice, others out of needs. The increasing number of single-person households for both young adults and elderly warrants special attentions as they are the two groups with the highest propensity to live in a single-person household. This group of population may be at higher risk of financial stress or social isolation. In particular, studies on solo-living of young adults are rare in the Asian context. In the face of vastly different paces of change, structurally and culturally, in the region, research that examines the trends of single-person households in different Asian societies would help us to understand the impacts of social changes on families in Asia.

Participants are invited to address the following themes in the conference. Cross-national and cross-temporal studies and empirical studies with theoretical implications are especially welcome:
• Overall trends: Single-person households in Asian countries
• Single-person households and living alone: Demographic and socioeconomic profile
• Micro- and macro-determinants living alone arrangement - Urbanization, migration, cultural values, demographic structure, and policy and institutional context:
- for the young and mature adults
- for the elderly
• Gender, social class and ethnic differentials: Cultural and structural explanations of the gender ,class and ethnic differences in forming single-person households in Asia
• Individual outcomes: Well-being, and economic outcomes
• Social support and isolation: Issues of public assistance, family and community network, geographical proximity of the family
• Intergenerational relationship: Elderly care, childcare, intergenerational transfer
• Policy considerations: Implications on the elderly and child care, welfare, urban planning and migration policy
• Conceptual and methodological challenges – Data source, measurement and definition

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

We invite those interested in participating in the conference to submit original paper proposals. We expect to publish selected papers from those accepted for presentation in a monograph/special journal issue. Paper proposals should include a title, an abstract of 300 words, a short biography of 150 words, and should be submitted on the attached form and sent to Ms Valerie Yeo at valerie.yeo@nus.edu.sg by 20 May 2013. Click here for the Paper Proposal Submission Form. Successful applicants will be notified by 14 June 2013.

Based on the quality of proposals and the availability of funds, partial or full funding will be granted to successful applicants. Participants are therefore encouraged to seek funding for travel from their home institutions. Full funding will cover air travel to Singapore by the most economical means, plus board and lodging for the duration of the conference.

CONTACT DETAILS

Organizers:

Prof Wei-Jun Jean YEUNG
Asia Research Institute, and Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore
Email: ariywj@nus.edu.sg

Dr Adam Ka-Lok CHEUNG
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Email: arickl@nus.edu.sg

Valerie YEO (Ms) :: Management Assistant Officer (Events), Asia Research Institute :: National University of Singapore :: 469A Tower Block, #10-01, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259770 :: 65-6516 5279 (DID) :: 65-6779 1428 (Fax) :: valerie.yeo@nus.edu.sg (E) :: www.ari.nus.edu.sg (W) :: Company Registration No: 200604346E

8th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asia Studies

CALL FOR PAPERS (Deadline: 25 March 2013)

8th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asia Studies
Organised by the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

Date:22 – 26 July 2013
Venue: Faculty of Law, Block B, Level 4, 469 Bukit Timah Rd
National University of Singapore @ Bukit Timah Campus
Website: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1404

The Asia Research Institute (ARI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications from postgraduate students who are engaged in research on Southeast Asia to attend the 7th Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asian Studies on 22 – 26 July 2013.

This 3-day forum will be part of ARI’s 5-day Graduate Development Institute and Forum, which in addition to the forum will include two full days of sessions aimed to develop graduate student understandings of academia and relevant skills, through roundtable discussions with faculty, focused practical seminars and breakout group discussions.

This event coincides with the Asia Research Institute’s Asian Graduate Student Fellowship Programme 2013, which brings some 35 graduate students to ARI for a two and a half month period. These students will also participate in the Graduate Forum.

Postgraduate students working on Southeast Asia are invited to submit abstracts based either on work in progress that is at an advanced stage (i.e. already completed data collection and analysis), or on completed work. NUS students are encouraged to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with students from ASEAN as well as those from other regions whose interests focus on Southeast Asia.

This three-day forum, the seventh of an annual series of forums for graduate students who work on Southeast Asia, will be organised thematically. Themes broadly reflect (but are not limited to) the core research strengths of the Asia Research Institute, including the Asian dynamics of religion, politics, economy, gender, culture, language, migration, urbanism, science and technology, population and social change.

In addition to student presentations, experts from the region will also be invited to give keynote speeches, sharing their insights on challenges and issues facing contemporary social science scholarship.

Students whose proposals are selected for presentation at the forum will participate in the full 5 days of the Graduate Development Institute and Forum. Partial or full funding may be available for selected students. Funding will cover board and lodging for the duration of the forum, and in selected cases, air travel to Singapore by the most economical means.

SUBMISSION OF PAPER PROPOSAL

Graduate students should submit a 300-400 words abstract of their proposed paper using the attached form to Mr Jonathan Lee at jonathan.lee@nus.edu.sg no later than 25 March 2013. Click here for the Application Form.

The abstract should clarify the substantive issues which your paper will address and be firmly grounded in your own research project. Please include information on objectives, methods, and findings, as well as explain the original contribution the research makes to the field of study.

One confidential letter of recommendation from a supervisor should also be forwarded along with your form by the same date. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 April 2013.

Those selected will have to submit full-length papers, of around 4,000-5,000 words in length, by 14 June 2013.

CONTACT DETAILS

Convenors:
Dr Michelle MILLER, Asia Research Institute, NUS (Chair)
Dr Jonathan BENNEY, Asia Research Institute, NUS
Dr Johan LINDQUIST, Asia Research Institute, NUS
Dr Kay MOHLMAN, Dept of Sociology, NUS
Dr Kumiko KAWASHIMA, Asia Research Institute, NUS
Dr LIANG Yongjia, Asia Research Institute, NUS
Dr Maria Wendy PLATT, Asia Research Institute, NUS
Dr Nausheen ANWAR, Asia Research Institute, NUS
A/P Titima SUTHIWAN, Centre for Language Studies, NUS
Dr ZHANG JUAN, Asia Research Institute, NUS

International Conference on Indonesian Development

CALL FOR PAPER
The International Conference on Indonesian Development (ICID) 2013 is a conference designed to become a hub between the Indonesian scholars, policy makers (executive and legislative), professionals, and the public. It will be an exciting opportunity for Indonesian scholars to exchange their ideas through interactive and comprehensive
discussions. The conference aims to create a “blueprint” of an ideal Indonesian development. It will take place at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) Erasmus University, The Hague, The Netherlands.

The conference committee invites researchers from relevant disciplines to submit and to present their scholarly works at ICID 2013. The main theme of the conference is “Innnovation-driven Economy as the Fundamental of the Indonesian Economic Growth”

Major topics to be included are (1) policy towards competitive economy and (2) innovation-driven economy from the perspective of social sciences, management, and technology. However, researches on overlapping and relevant topics are also accepted.

Abstract (max. 300 words) must be written in English and include background of the research, research questions, methods, findings, conclusions and keywords. Deadline for abstract submission is April 15th, 2013. The accepted authors should submit their full papers and register to the conference by June 30 th, 2013 in order for their
abstracts to be included in the final program. Abstracts and papers can only be submitted electronically through the conference website at http://icid.ppibelanda.org under “Abstract and Paper Submission” tagline.

The conference will feature 48 oral presentations and 24 poster presentations. In total, the conference will bring together 150 participants from all over the world, in their capacities as researchers, academicians, professionals, as well as Indonesian policy makers’ representatives.

We are looking forward to seeing you in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Best Regards,
Chairman of ICID 2013
M. Rihan Handaullah
Email: info@icid.ppibelanda.org.