The 24th Annual Conference

November 12-13, 2021

Virtual

Call for Papers & Roundtable Proposals

Theme: “The African Condition”

Submission Deadline: October 1, 2021

Brief Description

The 24^th Annual Conference of the African Studies and Research Forum (ASRF) invites participants to submit and present papers and roundtables on a wide range of situations and circumstances facing the African continent in the 21^st Century. Almost a decade ago, in her book, The Challenge of Africa, Wangari Maathai wrote about unfair trade and indebtedness on the Continent. She questions why the Cocoa of West Africa cannot be turned into chocolates, the coltan of Congo be added to capacitors in the country, or abundant of sunshine be harvested by solar panels built in Africa? Back in 2008, for the first time sub-Saharan Africa’s private capital surpassed official development aid ($40 billion). What are the factors affecting the adverse socio-economic, political and legal conditions of Africa today? The broadness of the them allows for presentation of papers, and organization of roundtables that examine the cultural, economic, environmental, legal, political, religious, health/medical, educational and security conditions of the African Continent, using country-based case studies, empirical studies, and interdisciplinary research work.  Albeit, more specifically, some of the themes and issues to be addressed in this conference include:

• Migration and development
• Conflict and violence
• Globalization and technology
• Climate change, disaster and environment
• Corporate governance and leadership
• Sustainable development goals
• Youth and children
• Women and growth
• Education and literacy
• African Union and regional/sub-regional groups
• African Diaspora
• Law and development

The conference seeks to bring together researchers, academics, advocates, artists and film-makers from across Africa, the Diaspora and around the world. In keeping with the spirit of diversity, we welcome abstracts for individual papers and roundtables that engage with various theoretical and methodological perspectives, topical issues, and policy-oriented solutions related to the conference’s theme.

Submission Guidelines

Cover Page

• Presentation title (15-word limit)
• Author(s) Full name(s) and contact information of principal presenter: affiliation, telephone number, mailing address, E-mail address. All return correspondence will be to this individual only.
• Full names, affiliations, and E-mail addresses of co-presenters (if any).

Paper Abstract

• Abstract (300-word limit for individual papers); An abstract should provide an extended description of the presentation for committee review.
• Presentation Summary (50-word limit): A brief description to be included in the conference program.
• Abstracts should be prepared for anonymous review (no reference to the author or the author’s home institution in the abstract).

To maximize participation opportunities at ASRF 2021, each individual scholar is allowed two single-authored contributions and one co-authored contribution (Presenting a paper, organizing a roundtable, and serving as a panel chair or discussant or as a roundtable moderator or participant each count as one contribution.)

Individual Papers

• Papers should be formal presentations that draw on theories and approaches of one or more topics related to the conference’s theme.
• Individual papers will be presented within a 15-minute period, plus 15 minutes for discussion.
• Each panel should have a Chair and a Discussant.

Roundtables

Each Roundtable:

• consists of four (4) participants plus one Convener/Moderator.
• involves the presentation of four oral presentations on a topic related to the conference’s theme, followed by a structured discussion of these presentations.
• Is typically scheduled for one-and-a-half hour blocks.
• expected to make a 15-minutes presentation, followed by the Moderator’s comments and a general discussion (20 minutes), for a total time of 95 minutes
• Conveners should submit the title of the roundtable as well as the name/title/institutional affiliation of each participant and the title of their presentation

Review Criteria

Review criteria include promise of an original and thoughtful contribution to the study of Africa; clarity and evidence of a well-organized, engaging presentation; and relevance to the ASRF 2021 theme. For roundtables, criteria also include topic relevance, as well as a clearly planned schedule of activities, with an appropriate amount of time for discussion and audience participation.

Volunteer Participation

Conference attendees are encouraged to volunteer for the following roles:

• Panel Chair
• Panel Discussant
• Roundtable Participant
• Roundtable Convener
• Moderator

How to Submit Abstract(s)

Please send your panel/roundtable  proposals and panel/paper abstract(s) to:  Pius Tanga as an E-mail attachment with a short note indicating your interest and the title ASRF 2021 Paper Abstract/Roundtable on the subject line to the following E-mail address:  ptanga@ufh.ac.za

The abstract submission deadline is October 1, 2021. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.