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Call for Papers

Third Annual Graduate Student Conference:

IDEA EXCHANGE:  Mediums and Methods of Communication in Eastern Europe, 
Russia and Central Asia

Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia
Center for Russian and East European Studies

University of Pittsburgh, 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.  We 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.

We 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 used to 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 [log in to unmask] 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
we require all of this information, correspondence will occur mainly via
e-mail.

We will contact the author(s) of accepted abstracts by January 1, 2004.

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.