CALL FOR PROPOSALS
AAS-in-ASIA 2017
Deadline for Receipt of All Proposals is Monday, October 31, 2016 (5:00pm E.S.T)
On behalf of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) and Korea University in Seoul, Korea we are pleased to invite colleagues in Asian studies to submit proposals for organized panels and roundtables (no individual paper proposals accepted) to be presented at the fourth AAS-in-ASIA Conference to be held June 24-27, 2017 at Korea University, in Seoul, Korea.
The Program Committee for the AAS-in-ASIA conference seeks proposals dealing with all regions of Asia on subjects covering a wide range of scholarly disciplines and professional fields under the theme: “Asia in Motion: Beyond Borders and Boundaries.” Modern borders are often allowed to define and divide nations, cultures, and traditions. However, both present-day experience and historical records reveal that people and goods have always moved across boundaries. Ideas and material goods, rather than being the exclusive monopoly of one region or nation, have generally been the objects of exchange, competition, and rivalry. Our proposed theme questions the fixed political boundaries of nations and states, and encourages scholars to reconsider borders as in progress and Asia as in motion. By thinking beyond borders and boundaries we enhance our understanding of how the concept of “Asia” was shaped in the past and how it is now reshaping the world.
Panels are welcomed from scholars throughout the field of Asian studies, wherever they may be based academically, and are especially encouraged from scholars representing academic communities that are relatively underrepresented in international meetings. One of the goals of this AAS-in-ASIA conference is to foster lines of dialogue and scholarly communication that cross the ordinary (often nation-specific) boundaries of academic networks. Please note: The program committee will strongly favor and give preference to proposals that include participants from two or more countries, whether the panel focuses on a single nation or culture or focuses on some comparative dimension. The program discourages panel proposals from a group of scholars coming from the same institution. Generally speaking, panels with diverse (gender, academic rank, national origin, disciplinary approach) participation will be favored over narrowly constructed panels. Panels that address topics of broad relevance will also be preferred.
The deadline for proposal submissions is October 31, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. All proposals must be submitted electronically via the proposal submission website. After submission, your proposal will be forwarded to program committee for review. You will find detailed instructions for submissions below. You may also access detailed information about the conference (FAQs, venue, transportation, program, accommodations, etc.) via the link to the full 2016 AAS-in-ASIA conference webpage.
If you have any question regarding panel participation that is not answered in this Call for Proposals or FAQ, (pre-submission questions concerning format, possible participants or relevance of a potential panel topic to the overall conference theme) please submit your question to Dr. Robert Snow, AAS Director of Outreach and Strategic Initiatives, at rsnow@asian-studies.
For technical assistance regarding use of the application submission system, contact the AAS at aasinasia@asian-studies.org.
We look forward to your colleagueship at the 2017 AAS-in-ASIA conference in Seoul, Korea.
II. IMPORTANT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- ONE APPEARANCE RULE: No individual is to be on the formal program in more than one session.
Due to the numerous scheduling conflicts that can occur when one individual is participating on more than one session, we are unable to accommodate multiple appearances. This rule applies to ALL PANEL PARTICIPANTS: Chairs, Paper Presenters and Discussants. However, please note that an individual may serve multiple roles WITHIN ONE PANEL. For example, an individual may serve as both chair and discussant or as paper presenter and chair on the SAME PANEL.
Panel organizers must confirm that the proposed panelists are listed on their proposal only. The name of a single individual on more than one proposal could threaten the chance of acceptance of every proposal involved. Note: Individuals may ORGANIZE more than one panel session but can still only serve the roles of chair, paper presenter and discussant on one panel session.
2. CONFIRM COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE PRIOR TO SUBMISSION:
A proposal should be a commitment in the sense that its original configuration (the original proposal submission) should match its final appearance in the printed program, and its delivery at the conference. Replacement participants are allowed but additional participants and co-authors are not allowed after the panel has been accepted.
Toward this end, the Program Committee will expect strict compliance with the April 17, 2017 DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION, which assures inclusion in the printed Program, and will expect the in-person participation of all those named in successful proposals.
3. Habits of collegiality and professional courtesy are expected at the conference.
Most fundamental are the honoring of commitments to present papers and the provision of papers to discussants in a timely fashion. The Program Committee assumes and celebrates an interactive style and effective communication in the evolution and delivery of a well-coordinated panel session.
4. The language for conference presentations is English.
Non-English speaking presenters are also welcome, but it is expected that panel organizers will make arrangements to provide translation or a summary in English for the audience.
Panels are welcomed from scholars throughout the field of Asian studies, wherever they may be based academically, and are especially encouraged from scholars representing academic communities that are relatively underrepresented in international meetings. One of the goals of this AAS-in-ASIA conference is to foster lines of dialogue and scholarly communication that cross the ordinary (often nation-specific) boundaries of academic networks. The program committee will strongly favor and give preference to proposals that include participants from two or more countries, whether the panel focuses on a single nation or culture or focuses on some comparative dimension. The program discourages panel proposals from a group of scholars coming from the same institution. Generally speaking, panels with diverse (gender, academic rank, national origin, disciplinary approach) participation will be favored over narrowly constructed panels. Panels that address topics of broad relevance will also be preferred.
The criteria on which the committee focuses are:
- Relevance of panel topic to conference theme
- Intellectual quality of the research (originality of material or interpretations, soundness of methodology, knowledge of the field, etc.).
- Coherence of the papers proposed for a given panel.
- Quality of the written abstracts, the overall panel abstract being of greatest importance (clear, jargon-free prose is especially valued).
- Indication of a commitment to stimulating active discussion at panel sessions.
- Gender, ethnic, and institutional balance and a combination of junior and senior scholars.
- Attention to conference submission guidelines (deadline, prohibition on more than one appearance, limits on number of presenters, etc.).
The Program Committee supports innovative formats that will encourage bold thinking, lively dialogue, and audience involvement. We urge panel organizers to explore ways in which ideas can be communicated most effectively, and ways in which the audience can contribute to the liveliness of the dialogue.
In addition we encourage variety in the presentational format of sessions, perhaps by starting with discussants and then proceeding to papers delivered but not necessarily read aloud. Posting full texts of papers online would be a way of enlivening the session, in this instance by giving the audience a prior opportunity to approach the work of the panelists. Presentation by way of well-crafted remarks, rather than by reading an entire paper, might well suit these objectives. The following list of potential formats for the panel illustrates a range of styles but is not meant to confine your options:
- Formats that introduce, at the outset, a clash of perspectives, interpretations, or methodologies.
- Formats that limit each paper author/presenter to ten or fifteen minutes to explain the main idea of the paper.
- Formats permitting a joint panel discussion on a single theme or book as a part of the panel session.
- Formats in which commentators begin by summarizing and commenting on the papers and to which the paper writers then reply.
- Formats that ask audience members or panelists to comment on a particular image, short text passage, or news story.
- Formats that allow sharply focused commentary from the audience early on.
- Formats in which knowledgeable members of the audience are encouraged to prepare comments of their own.
- Formats in which a single, major paper, film, or book launching is the subject of attention and on which other papers and all the commentary are focused.
Panel sessions will begin on Friday, June 24 and end on Monday, June 26.
The Program Committee completes panel scheduling at the time of panel acceptance during the program committee meeting. Organizers/Proposers should indicate any potential scheduling conflicts—along with a specific reason—on the proposal. You may indicate work, travel, personal religious conflicts, etc. on the proposal application. The committee will attempt to accommodate conflicts, but cannot guarantee a particular time slot. Scheduling changes will not be permitted once the schedule has been determined.
Additionally, the program committee very carefully and conscientiously schedules panels to avoid conflicts within disciplines and subject matters; however it may be impossible to avoid all potential conflicts.
Panel organizers may request to have an academic institution, research center/archive, learned society, or official AAS affiliate or committee listed in the printed program book as the sponsor of the accepted panel session (e.g., if the institution has provided funding for the research being presented, is subsidizing the participation of presenters, has requested and peer reviewed the submitted proposals, etc.). The listing of a sponsor for the submitted proposal is taken into consideration by the Program Committee during the review process, but is not a guarantee of acceptance.
VII. Preregistration Requirements
PRE-REGISTRATION is required of ALL PARTICIPANTS on accepted panels.
Participant names WILL NOT appear in the Printed Program unless participants are pre-registered by the April 17, 2017 participant registration deadline. No refunds will be given for participants withdrawing after April 17, 2017. We suggest all participants in need of financial assistance from their institutions or other sources and/or those participants needing to complete a visa application begin the process immediately after notice of acceptance. The AAS cannot make exceptions for refund requests; including those submitted on the basis of denied funding and/or visa applications. Pre-registration information will be sent to all participants at the time they are notified of their acceptance to the program. Participant members must pre-register at the member rate. Participant non-members must pre-register at the higher non-member rate.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS IN REGARD TO THE PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS.
AAS-in-ASIA Travel Subsidies
We are pleased to announce the availability of limited funding for partial travel grants for the Seoul conference.
- Support is limited to those scholars who are active participants on regular panels and roundtables that have been accepted on the formal program.
- Only one (1) participant per panel will be considered for funding.
- Panel organizers must apply on behalf of the intended subsidy recipient.
- All subsidy recipients must be an AAS member in good standing by the conference registration deadline. Subsidy recipients who have not met this requirement will forfeit their awards.
- All applicants must indicate the city/country they will be traveling FROM to attend the conference.
Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient funds to cover all the related costs of attending the conference, and panel organizers or applicants should seek outside funding to supplement the travel grants. Travel expenses eligible for reimbursement will be limited to international round-trip discounted (minimum 30-day advance purchase) airfare and airport transfers, up to three night’s hotel accommodations at the conference rate, and/or conference registration.
Individual grant amounts will be “need-based” and vary depending on the recipient’s circumstances, point of departure and distance traveled. Grants for scholars traveling from North America likely will range from $1,200-$1,500; from Europe $800-$1,000; and from Asia $600-$1,000, but the AAS reserves the right to adjust these amounts as needed.
Due to the anticipated demand and limited amount of available funding, grant requests are not guaranteed and will be awarded on a competitive basis. Awards will be made by a special selection committee after the formal program has been decided by the Program Committee. Preference will be given to junior scholars and presenters (rather than chairs or discussants), and attempts will be made to maintain fairness across countries, specializations, disciplines, etc.
Panel organizers should submit their request as part of the online panel proposal by the October 31, 2016 deadline. No requests for funding will be considered after this date.
All grant funds will be handled on a reimbursement basis after the conference and be paid in US dollars. Receipts will be required for all claimed expenses. Individual scholars or their respective panel organizers are responsible for arranging purchase of tickets, hotel accommodations, registration, etc.
IX. Audio Visual (A/V) Equipment for Panel presentations
All meeting rooms will be equipped with an A/V package which includes PC computer, LCD projector, screen, and sound speaker (for PowerPoint presentations).
Please note PC Computers will be provided, but if participants wish to use Macintosh equipment or files they will need to bring their own Macintosh computer and dongle to connect with the projector cord).
The conference organizers WILL NOT PROVIDE TV/DVD equipment, overhead projectors, slide projectors, or any other equipment or supplies required for presentations.
Organized Panels
Organized Panels are proposed around a common subject or theme. Formal papers are presented, often followed by discussion. Organized panels last for two hours and must include ample time for audience participation. Organized Panel proposal submissions should include the following:
1. A 250-word (maximum) overall panel abstract is required, in addition to the 250-word (maximum) abstract for each paper on the panel. The abstracts provided for each prospective paper presentation are very important, but the overall panel abstract is of greatest importance.
2. Panels should include a maximum of five (5) paper presentations, one (1) panel chair and a maximum of (2) discussants. Note: If a panel has 5 papers only one discussant should be included due to time constraints.
The exact configuration of paper presenters and discussants is left to your discretion. One option would be to have a panel chair, four short paper presentations designed to stimulate discussion, and one discussant or 3 papers, and 1 or 2 discussants; or omit the discussant altogether and leave more time for Q & A with the audience.
It is the preference of the program committee to receive proposals that comply with posted participation limits and still allow a reasonable amount of time for discussion.
Organizers may submit “two-part” or “back-to-back” panel proposals on related themes or topics but each proposal will be reviewed on its own merits. The Program Committee cannot guarantee acceptance of a series of panels, nor can it guarantee specific scheduling requests for accepted “two-part” or “back-to-back” panels.
BEFORE SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL:
View Organized Panel Submission Checklist
Roundtables
A Roundtable is a panel format at which no formal papers are listed. This format provides opportunities for participants with specific expertise to discuss with each other, and with members of the audience, issues or themes concerning a discipline or an Asian regional area.
Roundtable proposal submissions should include the following:
1. A 350-word (maximum) abstract is required for the panel itself and should fully explain its purpose, its issue(s)/theme(s), and scope; including the role of each participant during the roundtable discussion.
2. Roundtables may have a maximum of five (5) discussants and one (1) Chair. Individuals may serve dual roles (Chair & Discussant) within the roundtable.
Organizers may submit “two-part” or “back-to-back” panel proposals on related themes or topics but each proposal will be reviewed on its own merits. The Program Committee cannot guarantee acceptance of a series of panels, nor can it guarantee specific scheduling requests for accepted “two-part” or “back-to-back” panels.
View Roundtable Submission Checklist
The following persons representing the AAS and hosting institutions have agreed to serve on the Program Committee:
Srimati Basu, University of Kentucky
Katherine Bowie, University of Wisconsin/Madison
Younghun CHO, Korea University
Helen Hardacre, Harvard University
Yong Wook LEE, Korea University
Yoonhwan SHIN, Sogang University
Panel organizers may contact committee members with pre-submission questions concerning format, possible participants or relevance of a potential panel topic to the overall conference theme.
XII. Important Dates and Deadlines
- OCTOBER 31, 2016: Deadline for submission of conference proposals
- JANUARY 17, 2017: E-mail notification of conference proposal acceptance/rejection
- APRIL 17, 2017: Deadline for pre-conference participation registration and refunds