The first major political transition since the end of Liberia’s civil war will take place in October of this year as the nation moves from one sitting democratic regime, the current leadership of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to another. This transfer of power will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Liberian Studies Association (LSA). As these milestones present Liberia with new possibilities for development, it also provides fertile ground for academics studying Liberia to examine best practices and interdisciplinary linkages on the future of the country. The Liberian Studies Association (LSA), founded to promote and facilitate dialogue and exchange among scholars of Liberia has been an active part of the process of institutionalizing discussions about Liberia through various forms of academic research. Thus, this 50th anniversary offers a moment for critical examinations about the study and understanding of Liberia across the globe.
In celebration, the LSA invites proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables for its 2018 annual meeting. Proposals that examine the construction and presentation of Liberia over the last 50 years and how these have shaped the nation’s internal and external development are welcomed. Papers from various academic disciplines or thematic areas discussing the challenges of reconstruction, state building and development efforts using a range of scholarly approaches (including qualitative, quantitative and critical methods with data-driven conclusions) are also welcome.
The proposal must include the name, title, and institutional or organizational affiliation and full contact details of the person or persons submitting the abstract. All proposals should be no longer than 300 words, contain five key words, and sent to either Danielle Smithdtsgla@rit.edu, Jackie Sayegh: jsb25@cornell.edu or Samuel Wai Johnson: samwaijohnson@gmail.com. The deadline for submission is February 1.
Conference Registration: $100 ($50 for students).
Registration for the conference can be done by mail, online (web address TBA) and on-site at the conference at Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, NY 14623-5603 on April 19 -21, 2018.
Presenters and other attendees are required to register.
Hosted by: The Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Rochester Institute of Technology.
The department supports an interdisciplinary approach to the study of global, urban, historical, and cultural experience, practices, and change. Our faculty are scholarly experts in archaeology, cultural anthropology, economics, education, folklore, history, linguistics, psychology, and sociology which represent academic disciplines dedicated to the understanding of human social life, past and present.