Call for Papers

The 20th Annual Aleksanteri Conference brings together scholars exploring dimensions of global migration to, from and within the Eurasian space. For the purposes of this conference, the geographic domain of the Eurasian space includes Central and Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space. We discuss migration and the agency of migrants in terms of social, political, cultural and economic processes and flows, which redefine the contours of national boundaries and affect societal development in both sending and receiving societies. Migration to, from and within the Eurasian space has been a part of flows and processes between the Global North and Global South, but also a part of the building of past empires.

Historically, the impact of migration in many fields, such as economy and culture, has been enormous. In addition to these, migration affects national politics, global inequality, urbanization, local communities, travel of ideas, cultural renewal, institutional development, labor markets, innovation, education and social policy,  as well as foreign and security policy. Migration also requires transnational solutions as a part of national and regional migration policy. New migration flows and processes can be expected due to political upheavals, environmental degradation and climate change.

Questions for consideration

In the 20th Aleksanteri Conference, we ask what kind of migratory flows and processes can we detect in Eurasia? What has been the impact economically, culturally, politically and strategically in both sending and receiving countries? What has been the significance of Eurasian migration in other parts of the world? What are the peculiarities of today´s Eurasian migration? What kinds of transnational solutions to migration are required in Eurasia? Who are migrants and how do they live their lives? What has been the contribution of migrants to innovation and development in different fields? How have transnational communities and the travel of ideas changed the Eurasian space?

We invite you to discuss a broad range of migration-related topics through these contemporary and historical perspectives. The conference organising committee will also consider other relevant questions related to Russian, Central and Eastern European and Eurasian Studies. The virtual form of the conference will have some effect on the overall number of panels we will organize this year.

All abstracts must contain the following information to allow a sound referee review:

• Abstract title
• Abstract structure: aim, background, methods, findings and conclusion/recommendations
• Abstract text in English within the given word limits    
• All authors’ and co-authors’ names and affiliations
• Contact information (name, email address) of corresponding author(s)

Individual paper proposals: Please submit your individual abstracts of 300-500 words via the paper submission form. The organisers will form a limited number of thematic panels from the highest rated individual proposals. NB: If you submit a paper for an organised panel, please do not submit it as an individual paper proposal.

Panel proposals: Panels should consist of 3-4 paper presenters and a chair. In panels of 3 papers it is also possible to include a discussant. Panels should aim for an international composition. Please submit your panel proposal, including an abstract of 300-500 words, via the panel proposal submission form.

Roundtables: Each roundtable will feature a structured discussion on a timely theme or problem that requires a more open format of debate than a conventional paper session. Roundtables must have a moderator and 3-5 speakers. Please submit your roundtable proposal, including an abstract of 300-500 words, via the roundtable proposal submission form.

The deadline for proposals was April 30, 2021.

All abstracts will be reviewed and rated by scientific experts for abstract quality and presentation content. Notification of acceptance for paper, panel and roundtable proposals will be sent via email by 23 June 2021. Abstracts of accepted papers/panels/roundtables will be published on the conference website.

Panel sessions will last 90 minutes each and shall be structured as follows:
Oral presentation: 15 min (in panels with 4 papers) or 20 min (in panels with 3 papers)
Q&A: 30 min (or discussant's comments 10 min + Q&A 20 min)

The chair will introduce the panel and its participants, proceeding to make sure that time is allocated equally between individual presenters. If the panel has a discussant, the discussant will have 10 minutes to give their comments after all panelists present their papers.

Roundtables will also last 90 minutes. Please be mindful of time constraints so that we can achieve a fair allocation of time between participants.