Call for Papers
Theme
The IACS Conference 2025 invites submissions that explore the theme “Geo-Social Connection: The Continuing Journey of Critical Inquiry.” The Program Committee warmly welcomes all critical inquiries related to Asia from every (inter)discipline. We are especially excited about sessions that creatively and innovatively advance knowledge production from and about Asia. We highly encourage proposals that engage with Inter-Asian and cultural studies frameworks. Our goal is to reinforce Inter-Asia as an intellectual movement addressing critical questions relevant to the Asian public. Read our full Call for Papers here. (PDF version)
Sub-Themes
We invite papers that contribute to the discussions and help advance our understanding of geo-social connections in Asia.
Dive into stimulating panel discussions, interactive workshops, and vibrant networking sessions. Showcase your research and gain valuable feedback from experienced academics in a welcoming and supportive environment. The conference will serve as a collaborative space for scholars, cultural workers, and activists to engage with the following spotlight subthemes:
Theme 1
Forging Geo-Social Connections, Reimagining Inter-Asia Cultural Studies
Theme 2
Translating and Teaching Inter-Asia Knowledge through the Lenses of Gender and Indigeneity
Theme 3
Bandung Spirit and Asian Anticolonial Relations with the Third World/Global South
Theme 4
Political Economy of Intra-Regional and China-US Interactions
Theme 5
Navigating the Digital Future(s) Amidst Authoritarian and Illiberal Challenges
Theme 6
Rethinking Rituals and Sacred Sites as Avenues of Knowledge Production
Theme 7
Global Dimension of Asian Media, Popular Culture, and Intellectual Production
Theme 8
Designers, Musicians, and Filmmakers: Creative Expressions and Social Transformation
Theme 9
Activism, Youths, and New(est) Social Movements in Asia and Beyond
Theme 10
Cultural Mobilities and Migrations within Gendered Geographies
Theme 11
Eco-cultural Studies, Transoceanic Imaginaries, and Planetary Extractivism in Inter-Asian Contexts
Theme 12
Peace Movements and Anti-War Thoughts
For Individual/Panel Proposals
The Program Committee warmly welcomes all critical inquiries related to Asia from every (inter)discipline. We are especially excited about sessions that creatively and innovatively advance knowledge production from and about Asia. We highly encourage proposals that engage with Inter-Asian and cultural studies frameworks.
- Organized Panels (90-minute sessions with 3-4 panelists)
- Roundtables (90-minute sessions with 3-6 contributors)
- Individual Papers
For the first two formats, please designate the roles of Organizer (who can also be the Chair or Presenter), Chair (who can also be the Organizer or Presenter), and Presenter. Including a Discussant is optional. Please note, an individual may present only one paper (special sessions such as Plenary or Keynote do not count as a paper), but may serve in multiple roles during the Conference. We strongly encourage organized sessions rather than individual submissions.
For Organized Clusters
Organized Clusters are defined as a 3-hour workshop session of 6-10 participants. Similar to Panel proposal, please designate the roles of Organizer, Chair, and Presenter, with an optional Discussant. We encourage innovative proposals that go beyond traditional paper presentations and spark lively collaborative works on Inter-Asian issues by scholars and activists from different generations and backgrounds. Here are some examples:
- Focus on inter-Asian research projects and collaborations
- Discuss a major paper, film, or book
- Perform or read a creative work followed by a discussion
- Conduct a workshop of works-in-progress with commentators
- Host a debate on Modern Asian Thoughts
- Explore Inter-Asian teaching materials
- Engage with activists, curators, exhibitors, or filmmakers
Once your Cluster is accepted, you will have an additional 1.5-month window to organize your own Call for Panelists.
Commitment To Diversity And Equity
We are dedicated to promoting diversity and equity. We expect panel submissions to reflect diversity in gender, institution, nationality, and professional roles (such as graduate students, junior and senior scholars, and other professionals). We strongly encourage young scholars based in Asia from diverse backgrounds to reach out, organize, and apply.
While we ask for proposals to be submitted in English, our primary language, we can accommodate presentations in an Asian language under the following conditions:
- The scholar has difficulty presenting in English
- The scholar’s research significantly enriches the conversation
- A summary of the presentation will be made available in English
- The Organizer or Chair is prepared to facilitate the exchange of ideas through translation and interpretation.
Please note that this option is *not applicable to Individual Papers.
Important Dates
The deadline for submission
Nov
1
2024
Notify all received proposal
Feb
15
2025
Final cluster submission
Apr
30
2025
Submit All Forms
You will need to spend a few minutes filling out and submitting the form. We look forward to receiving your innovative and engaging submissions!
The deadline for application is November 1, 2024. We will notify the Organizer of the results by February 15, 2025. Cluster Organizers will receive an additional set of instructions about the confirmation of participants required by April 30, 2025.
*Please note that the conference is ‘in-person’ only as we do not have the capacity to afford online participation.