Deadline: January 24, 2025
The Central Asia Research Forum aims to, through formal and informal discussions, bring together scholars in all disciplines and stages of the research process to discuss the theme of Teaching Central Asia. Since 1991 (and before), scholars have been trying to take on a recurring question, how should we study and teach Central Asia? Specifically, what new conceptual frameworks should we develop to convey the imbalance in sources, perspectives, and academic training, including disparities in access to publishing outlets and the production of knowledge itself? We invite scholars to submit proposals that retrace the founding of Central Asian Studies, in the region and abroad, and the numerous academic institutions that trained (and continue to do so) generations of scholars to study and teach this region.
Participants are also encouraged to submit proposals that shed light on innovative methods, practices, and initiatives that are used in teaching this region and the countries, societies, and peoples that inhabit this geographic space – past and present. Due to the nature of the theme, interested applicants may propose a traditional scholarly presentation or choose a more interactive format such as a lesson demonstration or syllabus workshop.
The standard length for research forum presentations is 15 minutes. Those seeking additional time for a novel format such as a lesson demonstration should indicate the necessary amount of time in their proposal.
We strongly encourage graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, librarians, curators, and archivists to submit proposals and share their scholarly perspectives on Teaching Central Asia.
Sub-themes for this iteration of the Forum include:
- Curriculum and Pedagogical Practice
- International Cooperation & Exchanges
- Transnational Projects
- Sources on Central Asia Institutes, Societies
- Academic Programs
- Professionalization – Past and Present
- Decolonizing Discourses
Participants are welcome to present in any language, but we ask participants to provide an accompanying English translation of their remarks.
The 2025 edition of the Central Asia Research Forum will be held on February 19-20, 2025. Those interested in presenting should submit an abstract by January 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m., CST. Applicants will be notified of acceptance status by February 4, 2025. Zoom details will be shared with all registered participants 2 days before the first event.
Submit a proposal: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeewrQllazGxYXU6vObUiZ9SFXH4OVjOJlJq2m6-bB2wb7aMw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Register to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdddutHZ7rDEPp3A38mTEqQAi9eQhng9qdVEPCV2_sOOYOewA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Questions? Contact srscite@library.illinois.edu