Conference:

Methods and Measures for Communication and Cognition Research

Posted: 27 May 2008

Conflict Transformation:

The International Undergraduate Research Conference

James Madison University, School of Communication Studies, Harrisonburg, Virginia

April 15 and 16, 2009

Call for Papers - Deadline for Submission: Papers and poster proposals must be received no later than Monday, December 1, 2008.

The School of Communication Studies at James Madison University invites college and university undergraduate students to present their research on conflict transformation at the 2009 International Undergraduate Research Conference on Conflict Transformation. Conflict Transformation: The International Undergraduate Research Conference is an initiative to stimulate undergraduate research on the topic of conflict transformation. The goal is to bring together students (and their professors and mentors) from around the world who are interested in examining and advancing the concept of conflict transformation, to engage in dialogue about the concept and to share their work. International and interdisciplinary perspectives are encouraged.

The Conference will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, April 15 and 16, 2009, at James Madison University. Professor Joseph P. Folger of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will kick off the conference at a luncheon on Wednesday with his Keynote Address: The Disciplinary Roots of Conflict Intervention: How Should Theory Shape Our Practice?

Call for Papers:

Conflict transformation is a concept that has been advanced by a number of scholars from a variety of disciplines. Although formulations can vary significantly, the general principle is that society can "reach higher" when confronted with difficult conflicts, aiming not simply for settlement (often just an "uneasy peace") but for some fundamental shift in the meaning, nature, and experience of the conflict for all involved. This is a vital area for socially significant research by young scholars. There are important open questions about the nature and effects of conflict transformation, the contours of transformative practice and process, the role of third parties, the types of conflicts amenable to transformation, and the evaluation of transformation. Insights are sought from young scholars from such diverse disciplines as conflict studies, communication studies, peace studies, social psychology, anthropology, sociology, religion, philosophy, and political science.

Papers. We invite theoretical, critical andor empirical papers on a broad range of topics for presentation in traditional panel format. For example, students may submit literature reviews with suggested research agendas, research proposals, or completed research projects. Individual presentations at the conference will be limited to 15 or 20 minutes, depending on the number of presenters on the panel. Papers must be authored by one or more undergraduate students. Maximum length is 25 pages, double-spaced. Please submit your paper, with 100-word abstract, electronically to Dorothy J. Della Noce, Conference Chair, at dellandj@jmu.edu for review.

Posters. Undergraduate research projects suitable for poster session presentation in an interesting, engaging visual format are also encouraged. Poster session presentations should represent research projects and results in an interesting visual form. At least one author of the project must be present at the poster session to discuss the poster with attendees. Please submit your proposal, of no more than 500 words, electronically to Dorothy J. Della Noce, Conference Chair, at dellandj@jmu.edu for review.

Deadline for Submission. Papers and poster proposals must be received no later than Monday, December 1, 2008. Authors will be notified of acceptance via e-mail.

Awards: The Top Student Paper will be published in Conflict Resolution Quarterly.

An award of $100.00 (USD) each will be presented for the top three (3) papers. These cash awards are sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation.

Language. The official language of the conference will be English, but conference organizers will be open to reasonable suggestions for translation of presentations from other languages.

Contact: Dorothy J. Della Noce (dellandj@jmu.edu)