"Contesting Nature in Central Asia"
July 15, 2016
Central Asian Studies Institute (CASI) Fifth Annual Conference
Contesting Nature in Central Asia
·¬ĒŃÖ±²„
September 16-17, 2016
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Call for Papers:
The relationship between humans and their environments is central to both natural and social sciences, yet the fundamental distinction between ānatureā and ācultureā is the reason behind segregation of knowledge into two distinct spheres. āNatureā is often utilised as shorthand for unchanging laws of existence, the inexorable materiality of being, for inevitability, determinism and teleology.Ģż As such, the notion of ānatureā has been challenged by many scholars as a product of āsocial constructionā, whereby neither humans nor their environments are ever fully ānaturalā or āculturalā, but rather are mutually constituted through a network of complex interactions.
We invite contributions from scholars ofĢżCentral AsiaĢżrelated (but not limited to) one of the following themes and/or approaches:
- SocialĢżproduction/ discursive constructions of nature;
- Social construction of (natural) science/ sociology of scientific knowledge/ science and technology studies;
- The nature of āhuman natureā;
- The social construction of the environment, geography and ecosystems/ Environmental history/Political ecology;
- Ontology, epistemology, phenomenology and metaphysics of nature;
- The concept of domination of nature/ārational use of natural resourcesā;
- Actor-network theory.
We encourage panel submissions and interdisciplinary approach as well as comparative perspectives (with other regions, periods and realities). The working languages of the conference are English and Russian. Limited financial assistance will be available to selected participants based on need. Participants are encouraged to seek funding from their home institution or alternative sources.
To apply, please submit an abstract of no more than 500 words and a short bio (200 words), stating your full name, institutional affiliation, contact details and research interests tocasiaucakg@gmail.comĢż²ś²āĢżJuly 15, 2016. Please address all queries to Svetlana Jacquesson (jacquesson_s@auca.kg) or Mokhira Suyarkulova (suyarkulova_m@auca.kg).
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