Deadline: 1 December 2012
Open to: Researchers working in the field of social movements and civic activism in the urban environment of Central and Eastern Europe
Venue: 24-25 May 2013, Södertörn University, southern Stockholm, Sweden
Description
International conference on Grassroots in the City: Urban Movements and Activism in Central and Eastern Europe seeks to gather researchers working in the field of social movements and civic activism in the urban environment of Central and Eastern Europe. The aim is to discuss the prerequisites for, and forms of, collective action in cities in this social context. Why a focus on collective action in cities? Conflicts in the city are illustrative not only of processes of urban restructuring and renewal, but also of larger processes and structures: economic restructuring and competition; migration and cultural diversity; and social cleavages and polarization. Cities are a critical junction, where global economic forces play out in a local setting. They are arenas in which different social interests compete, and claims to the right to the city and to a decent living are raised and contested. Consequently, a wide range of citizen mobilizations appear in the interface of the local and global that the city provides.
Main topics
- urban activism concerning housing or homelessness, the local and urban environment, energy and other public services or other neighbourhood initiatives and mobilizations;
- the creative appropriation and use of public space in the city for claim-making, resistance, manifesting or living utopias or making the city a more hospitable place to live;
- attempts to theorize the structural forces, systemic contradictions and social tensions to which the grassroots mobilizations respond, or the city in the intersection of local and global forces and the role of civil society in the shaping of the life of the city.
We also invite a discussion of whether established theories are adequate and sufficient to deal with the specificities of the CEE region and collective action there, and the types of theory development that are required.
Eligibility
We aim for a fairly small conference with a limited number of participants, to allow for a good intellectual atmosphere and fruitful exchange around all papers presented. As there will not be parallel sessions, we aim for 12 paper presentations. In addition, another 20 people could be present and take part in discussions. Paper-givers will be expected to present a full (and developed) paper to be circulated to all participants ten days before the conference. All papers will have designated discussants and all participants should be expected to discuss others’ papers.
Costs
Funding for travel and accommodation will be provided for paper-givers, while other participants travel at their own expense. The conference as such is free of charge and lunches will be provided for all.
Application process
To present a paper, submit an abstract (of about 300 words plus an author description containing information about your research interests and some previous publications, no later than December 1st 2012. It should be sent to: kerstin.jacobsson@sh.se. To participate without a paper, indicate your interest to Kerstin Jacobsson by the same date.