Call for Papers
Round Table/Workshop
Social Sciences: New Challenges in Transitional Societies
19 -21 April, 2016
Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), Tbilisi Georgia
(Working language - English)
The challenges that research and education in social sciences and humanities face in transitional societies are rather diverse, in particular due to the significant role that social research can play in development of newly (re-)established societies and continuing with quality education within the sphere.
There are particular topics that require inter-disciplinary research approaches, in high demand among practitioners working on respective issues, common for a significant number of post-Soviet or post-socialist countries such as forced migration/internal displacement, consequences of societal or conflict-induced traumas, or the limited capacity for good governance practices as well as for designing and implementing citizen-focused public policies and public administration. In this regard, international co-operation and partnership among countries in transition will contribute to better awareness and understanding of the challenges and ways to face them. Special support could be brought from the countries that have already had “early post-transitional” experience and are also able to offer best practices in policy-oriented social research and in teaching social sciences.
The round table/workshop will bring together a professional audience of academics and practitioners interested in sharing their views on social policy research and teaching in transitional societies. The topics will be concentrated on (but not limited to) new challenges in the sphere of higher education, new approaches, methodologies, and technologies; in teaching and research social sciences, and respective international cooperation. Special focus on inter-disciplinary studies/approaches and a comparative perspective are most welcome.
Workshop Aims:
• To share information about the latest developments in social research and teaching of social sciences;
• To enhance dialogue and promote international co-operation and exchanges in social research and education among relevant institutions in post-socialist, transitional societies;
• To strengthen partnerships and peer support networks within the sphere of social sciences and social policy research, in particular by providing a space for educators and researchers from transitional countries to meet and share experience;
To showcase and discuss the examples of best practices in using new approaches, methodologies and technologies within the sphere of social sciences (research and education);
To provide a space for lecturers and academics from transitional countries to meet and share experiences on the topics related to social sciences and discuss them with academics based elsewhere.
Suggested presentation topics
• Mapping and analysing challenges and prospective approaches in social sciences research and education (with special focus on post-socialist, transitional countries);
• Innovative and emerging approaches, methodologies and technologies in social sciences research;
• Models, forms and challenges of international collaboration in the area of social science (research, education);
• Ways and approaches that can effectively transfer accumulated knowledge in social sciences into more effective public administration, governance, and public policy;
• Teaching social sciences: approaches/methodologies/technologies; academic motivation in institutions of higher learning in post-transitional countries.
Types of presentations
• Key note speech of approximately 30 minutes (20 minute presentation plus 10 minutes for audience questions or discussion)
• Oral presentation of up to approximately 20 minutes (10 minute presentation plus 10 minutes for audience questions or discussion)
• Interactive workshop session (brainstorming) of 60 to 90 minutes duration, providing opportunities for the active engagement of participants, focusing on concrete steps towards international co-operation and partnership opportunities
A selection of papers as well as the findings of round-table discussions will be published.
Conference fee for overseas participants: € 170 payable by 7thof April to GIPA account with indication to “The Round Table/Workshop; Social Sciences: New Challenges in Transitional Societies”. Bank account details will be sent to interested participants as a reply to their registration via ssworkshopintbilisi@gmail.com
On-the-spot cash payment is also possible. However all prospective participants are required to register on-line via ssworkshopintbilisi@gmail.com.
A social programme and opportunities to network are part of the package.
Deadline for abstracts submission - March 31, 2016
The abstract submission form (up to 100-120 words) – please send to ssworkshopintbilisi@gmail.com
