ISA Blog

CFP: The World Bank and Poverty Reduction

We would like to invite contributions to a series of linked panels on “The World Bank and Poverty Reduction” for the International Studies Association (ISA) annual convention, taking place in New York City from the 15th until the 18th of February 2009.

The central task of the panels will be to interrogate the World Bank’s move towards the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF), and its most visible policy tool, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), and to evaluate the success of poverty reduction strategies a decade into their existence. The return of poverty reduction as the guiding principle of all World Bank operations raises a number of interrelated questions:

To what extent do poverty reduction strategies represent a rupture with the Washington-Consensus based neoliberal paradigm? Does the post-Washington Consensus simply ideologically legitimate neoliberal practices, or are there substantial differences in policy content between Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). What explains the move towards poverty reduction? What have been the positive (or negative) impacts of PRSP on poor people on the ground? What are the gender implications of the Bank’s policy transformations? And how successful have PRSPs been in addressing poverty and exclusion?

We are particularly interested in country case studies that look at the impact of PRSPs on the ground in African and Asian countries.

We are also planning to turn the conference papers into an edited collection on the World Bank and Poverty Reduction, and are currently approaching a number of publishers.

Please, contact us as soon as possible at aruckert@connect.carleton.ca, if you are interested in participating in this panel (and the associated book project). The deadline for a short abstract (250 words) is May 20th. Confirmed participants thus far include Robert Wade, Heloise Weber, Marcus Taylor, and Manfred Bienefeld.

Best regards,

Manfred Bienefeld (Professor, Carleton University)
Arne Ruckert (PhD Candidate, Carleton University)

Employment: University of St Andrews

The Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews is seeking applicants for a position as Research Fellow in Terrorism Studies. Candidates with research interests in any area of Terrorism and Political Violence Studies will be considered, but preference may be given to someone with an international relations or social science background. You will work closely with the Director of CSTPV on an externally funded project on the Metrics of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. Applications should be received by May 19, 2008. For more information, please click here for the full text of the ad.

Open Society Institute Fellowships

The Open Society Institute (OSI) has recently launched a new fellowship program to support outstanding idea entrepreneurs from around the world. The Open Society Fellowship enables innovative professionals — including journalists, activists, scholars, and practitioners — to work on projects that inspire meaningful public debate, shape public policy, as well as generate intellectual ferment within OSI.

The fellowship focuses on four areas: National Security and the Open Society; Citizenship, Membership and Marginalization; Strategies and Tools for Advocacy and Citizen Engagement; and Understanding Authoritarianism. Fellows’ projects may include books, articles, outreach for documentary films, online media, and efforts to seed new campaigns and organizations.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and there are no deadlines. The fellowship does not fund academic study, including dissertation research. More details and the link to apply online may be found here.

Angelaki - The Journal of the Theoretical Humanities

A special issue of  "ANGELAKI - The Journal of the Theoretical Humanities" invites submissions on the topic of "Philosophizing in/on Eastern Europe." The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2009. This special issue is scheduled for late 2009. Authors should keep in mind that they are writing for an academic, but non-specialist (and largely Western) readership. Therefore, references to specifically East-European developments, institutions, figures, etc. should be further clarified in end-notes as appropriate. All submissions should be in English. Notwithstanding the fact that some authors use this language as their second language, it is their responsibility to make sure that their submissions are written in publishable English. You may submit your contributions to: bradatan@hotmail.com (with "For the Angelaki issue" in the subject line). Please allow at least 4-6 months for the review process and editorial decisions. Receipt of materials will be confirmed by email in a matter of days.

Global War On Terror Conference

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) is sponsoring the second in a series of conferences examining the Evolution of Strategy in the Global War On Terror (GWOT.) This conference will take place on the JHU/APL campus in Laurel, Maryland, on 21-22 May. The report from the first conference is available for download here in PDF.

Representatives from government, industry, the military, and academia will attend. Panel speakers will include Dr. Mary Habeck, author of Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror; Dr. Tom Barnett, author of Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating and Mr. Martin Sieff, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Middle East. This diversity of representation should ensure the presentation of multiple perspectives related to the issues affecting GWOT strategic formulation in the near term. For more information, please contact Ms. Peggy Harlow. She may be reached at Peggy.Harlow@jhuapl.edu.

China Forum

When the International Olympics Committee awarded the right to Beijing to host  the Games in 2008 some seven years ago, China promised to run a green Olympic, to improve human rights, and to increase press freedom. China hopes that the event will help to showcase its economic progress, but attention has now been focused on China’s human rights record and its ability to run an environmentally clean sporting event. In view of expected protests and demonstrations leading up to the Games, China’s security apparatus has been put on full alert before the watchful eyes of the world.

You are invite to attend a China Forum on ‘The Beijing Olympic Games: The Environment, Human Rights, and Security’, at Durham University on Monday, May 12, 2008 in the Al-Qasimi Building, Room 201. The forum discusses these and other issues, and tries to chart some possible implications for the world of sports, the London Olympics, and mega events that  might attract the attention of NGOs and protest groups. For inquiries, please contact Gerald Chan at gerald.chan@durham.ac.uk.

Employment: National Defense University

The Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD Center) at the National Defense University invites applications to fill three positions at the ranks of Research Associate (rough NDU equivalent to Assistant Professor), Associate Research Fellow (~Associate Professor), or Senior Research Fellow (~Full Professor). Annual salary range is about $64,000 to $143,000 based on rank and qualifications. Successful applicants will hold a Ph.D. or a graduate degree plus at least three, five or ten years of experience (corresponding to rank). Successful applicants will also demonstrate scholarly promise through academic/publishing record or administrative and analytical skills by virtue of previous positions related to national security affairs or education. Application should be received by May 15, 2008. Continue to ad...

Call for Papers: Turkish-ISA Panels

The Turkish-ISA would like to solicit interest on two panels titled as follows.

1. Identity, Sovereignty, and Security: Prospects and Challenges of the EU Integration
2. Social Structures, Political Elites and Democracy in the Middle East

Please send your paper proposal by May 12, Monday to tisa@asu.edu

We encourage all members to disseminate this message to those who might be interested in submitting a paper proposal in one or two of our panels for the 2009 ISA Annual Convention in New York. We NEED COMPLETE contact info for every submission (every following item is Necessary):

• Paper title:
• Paper abstract:
• Last Name:
• First Name:
• Primary Institutional Affiliation:
• Address
• City:
• State/Province:
• Zip/Postal Code:
• Country:
• Phone:
• Email:

Yours Sincerely,
Turkish International Studies Association
http://www.turkishisa.org

California Newsreel

California Newsreel has been added to ISA's list of internet resources. California Newsreel produces and distributes cutting edge, social justice films that inspire, educate and engage audiences. Founded in 1968, Newsreel is the oldest non-profit, social issue documentary film center in the country. They are a leading resource center for the advancement of racial justice and diversity, and the study of African American life and history as well as African culture and politics. In 2006, they launched a new thematic focus on the Global Economy, with an emphasis on the international division of labor. Offering an alternative view to much of the mainstream coverage of global economic issues, their videos serve as analytic educational tools, reminding us that a different trajectory is not only possible but imperative.

Simulation in International Studies

CALL FOR PAPERS
Simulation and Gaming: 
An International Journal of Theory, Practice and Research

Symposium Theme:
Simulation in International Studies
Symposium Guest Editor:
Mark A. Boyer
University of Connecticut
mark.boyer@uconn.edu

The use of simulation has long been a central component of research agendas in the international studies field.  Rarely, however, is current simulation work in the international studies field gathered in one peer reviewed venue for review, discussion and debate.  As a result, this symposium in Simulation and Gaming seeks papers doing innovative work in the international studies field employing one of an array of simulation approaches.  Work can range from analytical research through approaches to pedagogy and beyond.  Examples of possible submissions include, but are not limited to:

•    experimental work on conflict analysis;
•    international mediation and negotiation analysis;
•    innovative approaches to classroom simulation and their assessment;
•    computer-simulated modeling of international processes.

The symposium submission schedule is as follows:

May 1st, 2008 – Submission of abstract and outline (whole paper, if already prepared).
June 1st, 2008 – Full submissions invited.
August 1st, 2008 – Full paper submissions due.
October 1st, 2008 – Notification of review outcome.
December 1st, 2008 – Final versions of papers due to symposium editor.

All queries and submissions should be sent to:

Mark A. Boyer
Dept. of Political Science, U-1024
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
mark.boyer@uconn.edu
(860) 486-3156 o
(860) 486-8307 fax