[ Call for Papers | Applications ]

The Third Annual Graduate Student Conference on the Topic IDEA EXCHANGE: Mediums and Methods of Communication in Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, will organized by the Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia Center for Russian and East European Studies (e-Mail) at the University of Pittsburgh on February 24-26, 2006.
In the histories of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, countless social and political upheavals have been articulated through, if not facilitated by, a variety of communication mediums and methods. The uses of various modes of communication played a critical role in the collapse of state socialism and in the later reconstruction of new political and social regimes. In the sixteen years since, the exchange of ideas and the dissemination of knowledge through practices of communication continue to be of vital importance to political engagement, cultural expression, arts, sciences, and the creation of novel social orders.

This conference will explore questions related to the historical and contemporary impact of different mediums and methods of communication in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. The Organizers find it useful to adopt an inclusive understanding of mediums and methods that refers equally to
venues for idea exchange, channels for the transmission of information, means through which communication is generated and even arenas for public debates and the constitution of civic initiatives.

The Organizers invite abstracts that address questions and arguments such as:

• What is the relationship between various mediums of communication and the reorganization of power, politics and the state in former socialist societies?
• How are they impacted by state regulations, economic factors, or the international promotion of intellectual property rights?
• Have mediums of communication been to used stimulate democratic participation and debate of ideas?
• Do they rather facilitate the exercise of novel forms of governance and tactics of power?
• What factors limit communication, and what elements of communication and media create new opportunities in the region?
• Who controls information, and who can authoritatively spread ideas?

The University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia, in cooperation with the Center for Russian and East European Studies, invites fellow graduate students working on related topics from all disciplines to submit abstracts for our Third Annual Graduate Student Conference. We encourage a broad range of approaches, from social science and humanities to law and public policy, as well as a diverse set of topics to be explored in accordance with the main goal of this conference: to stimulate interdisciplinary debates and the exchange of ideas.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: DECEMBER 15, 2005

Abstract Requirements:
Paper abstracts of up to 500 words (using Microsoft Word or PDF format, 12 point font, double spaced) and curriculum vitae must be submitted via email to gosecaconference@yahoo.com by December 15, 2005. The body of the abstract should contain no identifying information other than its title. The cover page must include: title of submission, author's or authors'
name(s), institutional and departmental affiliation(s), e-mail address(es), geographic address(es), and a primary phone number. Although they require all of this information, correspondence will occur mainly via e-mail.

The organizers will contact the author(s) of accepted abstracts by January 1, 2006.

Paper Requirements:
In order to facilitate presentation time limits, and to ensure time for active discussions, paper length will be limited to 8 typed pages, double-spaced, with 12 point font. All participants will be required to submit a copy of the final paper one month prior to the conference.

Housing:
The conference organization will be able to offer free housing, but not transportation, to all selected participants.