European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS)

XIII Biennial Conference 2013

CALL FOR PAPERS

The European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS) invites proposals for individual papers, panels and round-table discussions for the thirteenth ESCAS biennial conference scheduled for 5th - 6th August 2013 at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan (http://www.nu.edu.kz). The Conference will be hosted jointly by Nazarbayev University and the R. B. Suleimeinov Institute of Oriental Studies of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences (http://www.invost.kz/).

ESCAS welcomes proposals relating to all aspects of research in the arts, humanities and social sciences on Central Asia – namely the republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, together with Xinjiang, Mongolia, Afghanistan and adjacent regions of Russia, China, Iran, South Asia and the Caucasus.

Scholars and practitioners of anthropology, archaeology, architecture, art & art history, cinema, development studies, economics & finance, history, musicology, philology, political science, sociology and other related disciplines are encouraged to participate. We particularly welcome panel proposals which will cross disciplinary boundaries, bringing together experts from different fields.

The theme of the 2013 conference is 'The Steppe and the Sown'. This is to encourage scholars to explore both the many complexities implied by the concepts of pastoral nomadism and sedentary farming and the complex interaction between peoples typically characterized by these concepts in the course of history. It also reflects important themes in the history of Astana itself.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

We encourage the submission of pre-organised panels and discussion groups, and these may be given some preference in the selection process. Each panel will have three speakers, who will have half an hour to deliver their papers, followed by half an hour of questions and general discussion. Panel proposals should include a clear theme and rationale for bringing the speakers together. They need not include a discussant or chair, but may nominate either or both if desired. Round-table discussions should include five or six contributors plus a chair, and will last for an hour and a half. Individual papers will be assigned a panel by the conference organisers.

Please note: the official language of the conference is English. Individual paper proposals will only be accepted in English, but the organisers may consider complete panel or round-table proposals which include presentations in Russian

TIMETABLE The electronic form for the submission of proposals will be available from the end of November at www.escas.org. The deadline for the receipt of proposals is 28th February 2013. Notification of acceptance will be by the 12th April 2013. Online registration will begin from the 1st May 2013 at 1200pm GMT All conference attendees and delegates will be required to register and pay the registration fee by 1st July 2013. Please note: If you are unable to pay the registration fee online, you will need to inform the organisers when you submit your original paper proposal. Papers should be pre-circulated to discussants by 19th July 2013 On-site registration for all delegates will begin at 12.00pm on Sunday 4th August 2013. The Conference proper will begin at 8am on Monday 5th August 2013. It will include the General Assembly of ESCAS, two keynote speeches and a gala dinner.

PUBLICATION ARRANGEMENTS All participants may, if they wish, submit written versions of their papers to the ESCAS editorial committee to be considered for inclusion in the published proceedings of the conference, which will be published in Kazakhstan.

VISA ARRANGEMENTS Delegates from CIS countries do not require a Kazakhstani visa. Citizens of most other countries do require a visa, but do not require an official invitation in order to obtain one. If you require an invitation you will have the opportunity to request one when submitting your proposal. We are not able to cover any visa costs, and we are unable to offer visa assistance to accompanying persons.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION The registration fee will be 100 Euros for ESCAS Members and 125 Euros for non-members. This includes the following: Accommodation: Nazarbayev University is providing free accommodation for 100 delegates in twin rooms in the student dormitories on campus from Saturday 3rd – Tuesday 6th August (four nights maximum). These will be allocated at the time of registration on a first-come, first-served basis. They are only available to delegates, and not to accompanying persons. Otherwise the University has an arrangement with a nearby hotel, from which there will be bus transport. The cost of rooms here should be approximately 50 euros a night.

Food: Coffee and refreshments, Lunch on both days, and attendance at the Gala dinner.

Transport: Bus transfer between Astana Airport, Hotel (where necessary) and the University. A bus tour of Astana City (optional).

Other: Badges, stationery etc. will also be provided. Preliminary enquiries regarding the conference should be made to escas2013@gmail.com

Information on ESCAS membership can be found at our website: www.escas.org We hope to hear from you soon. Alexander Morrison (University of Liverpool), ESCAS President Meruert Abusseitova (Institute of Oriental Studies, Almaty) Alima Bissenova (Nazarbayev University, Astana) Gabriel McGuire (Nazarbayev University, Astana) ESCAS Board: Ildiko Beller-Hann (Copenhagen); Sally Cummings (St Andrews); Siddharth Saxena (Cambridge); Anne-Marie Vuillemenot (Louvain).