Michigan State University will host a graduate student research conference on migration, welcoming papers on the theme, “Migration Without Boundaries.” This conference aims to facilitate and foster an interdisciplinary, trans-institutional cohort of scholars interested in issues of migration and mobility. The organizers of this conference invite papers from scholars at any stage in their graduate career, working on any thematic, conceptual, spatial, or temporal aspect of migration, from any disciplinary perspective. Advanced undergraduate students are also welcome to apply.

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 30 renowned faculty members that work on migration, many of whom will serve as discussants. The conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rhacel Parrenas of the Sociology department at the University of Southern California on the evening of Friday, October 5th, and a plenary session and paper sessions on Saturday, October 6th.

Applicants should submit abstracts including the author’s name, address, institutional affiliation, stage in program, email address, and phone number. Abstracts should be limited to 250 words. A $20 conference fee can be paid online through the conference website upon 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, please provide a brief statement of need with application. Please submit abstracts by July 16th, 2012, invitations will be sent by August 1st, and we will require attendance confirmation by August 30th. Papers should be sent to panel commentators by September 17th, to allow faculty discussants ample time for consideration.

Abstract Due: Monday, July 16th, 2012

Email submissions and questions to: migrationwithoutboundaries@gmail.com