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The third annual Africanist graduate student research conference at Michigan State University, Oct 9-10, 2009, will focus on the theme “Africa’s Challenges and Possibilities.” The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for graduate students to discuss their research, engage in conversations with other students and scholars, and receive important feedback. The conference is also designed to prepare students who will present at the 2009 African Studies Association (ASA) Annual Meeting “Africa at a Crossroads.” The organizers of the conference invite papers from historical, political, sociological, anthropological, educational and literary perspectives. Students conducting research regarding the natural sciences, health, gender, or youths are also encouraged to participate. The conference is interdisciplinary and open to students at all levels of their graduate careers. Submissions may include research proposals, research designs, dissertation or thesis chapters, methodological models, work in progress, outlines of dissertations, and preliminary research findings. Michigan State University has over 175 faculty members that focus on Africa. Some faculty will serve as discussants to offer constructive feedback to the conference participants.
Abstracts Due September 1, 2009
Abstracts submitted should include the author’s name, address, institutional affiliation, email address, and phone number. It should be limited to 300 words. Please also identify three key words. A $20 conference fee can be paid online through the conference website upon abstract acceptance.
Students may also consider submitting a panel proposal, including an abstract for the panel and an abstract for each paper presenter. The panel abstract should include a statement about the panel topic and a brief summary of the arguments to be explored by contributing papers.
If you wish to be considered for a travel award (and international students requiring letters of invitation and sufficient time to secure funding and visas), please submit abstract by July 15, 2009.
Please also explore other funding options upon submission. Because of the short time frame between abstract submission and conference date, we will require attendance confirmation by September 9, 2009. Accepted papers should be submitted by September 16, 2009 to allow faculty discussants ample time for consideration.
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