Cfp: Second Conference in Disasters, Displacement, and Human Rights (DDHR) “Bridging the Collaborative Gap” September 25-27, 2015 The University of Tennessee

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Second Conference in Disasters, Displacement, and Human Rights (DDHR)
“Bridging the Collaborative Gap”
September 25-27, 2015
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA)

ABSTRACT DEADLINE APRIL 1, 2015

Earthquakes and tsunamis. Development-induced displacement. Armed conflict, terrorism, and human trafficking. Fifty-one million recognized refugees worldwide. Securitization, deportation, and criminalization regimes. Climate change and environmental chaos. Humanitarianism, human rights, and international criminal prosecutions. The quest for peace and justice. The age of the anthropocene. The world has no shortage of problems and possibilities associated with disasters, displacement and human rights. And they are not just academic.

The University of Tennessee issues a call for presentations for its second conference in Disasters, Displacement, and Human Rights (DDHR). The 2015 conference theme is “Bridging the Collaborative Gap.” Collaborations within anthropology and across disciplines are increasingly vital for critically understanding the complexity of disasters, displacement, and human rights issues today. In both local settings and across the globe, from the distant past to anticipations of the future, communities of diverse experiences and aspirations also confront the very problems that preoccupy academic researchers. The 2015 DDHR conference aims to problematize and foster the practice of collaboration among academic disciplines and with DDHR-affected communities.

We encourage the participation of researchers and practitioners, graduate students and undergraduates, who address the broad themes of disasters, displacement and human rights from a range of perspectives, time periods, and experiences. We especially seek contributions from international researchers and practitioners who exemplify collaboration and/or cross-training within and/or outside of anthropology. We also solicit the participation of members of affected communities, especially those who have worked closely with anthropologists and other researchers and professionals.

Abstract submissions of no more than 250 words are invited for individual paper and poster presentations. We also invite abstracts for panel submissions and roundtables, which should include a 250-word abstract for the panel or roundtable theme and the names of participants with titles and brief (100 word) descriptions of presentations.

Suggested topics include but are not limited to:

-          Development and development forced displacement and resettlement (DFDR)
-          Immigration, detention, and deportation
-          Refugees, asylum seekers, and internal displacement
-          Climate change and the anthropocene
-          Natural and anthropogenic disasters
-          Torture, human trafficking, and other human rights violations
-          Transitional Justice and other alternative justice models
-          International human rights law and practice
-          Critical humanitarianism
-          Policy, politics, and international relations
-          Peace and conflict studies
-          Identity, discrimination, and rights-claiming
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While submissions that directly engage with the main conference theme are appreciated, the committee will consider other topics and approaches related to the study of disasters, displacement, and human rights. Panel and roundtable proposals will be prioritized based on their demonstration of interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, or inter-sub-disciplinary approaches.

Please send abstracts by e-mail attachment no later than April 1, 2015 to the Conference Steering Committee at: ddhr@utk.edu. Submissions should include the following information in the body of the e-mail: name, department and university (if applicable), title of paper, and audio-visual requirements. If your paper is being submitted as part of a proposed panel or for consideration under a specific theme, please include the proposed panel title or theme under the title of the paper on the abstract. If possible, panel submissions should be made by a single panel organizer.

Pending available funding, travel scholarships may be available for two student presenters and two faculty/professionals, as well as for four presenters from DDHR-affected communities who would otherwise not be able to attend.

For more information, visit: http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/faculty/ddhr.html

Tricia Redeker Hepner, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Director, Disasters, Displacement and Human Rights Program
250 South Stadium Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996
Ph:  865-974-8962
Fax: 865-974-2686
http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/faculty/hepner.html