INET-YSI Doctoral Scholars’ Conference: Understanding India’s Northeast from Emerging Perspectives

About the Conference:

The conference aims to bring doctoral research scholars across different universities and institutions located in Northeast India onto one platform to understand the emerging research dynamics of the region. The conference would be an opportunity for research scholars in Social Sciences to present their work, interact with peers and experts, and deliberate on issues concerning the region. The Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) and its Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) are collaborating with Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati, to organize the “Doctoral Scholars’ Conference” from March 11^th to 13^th, 2025.

Background

The significance of India’s Northeastern region remains in its geo-strategic location, ethnic and cultural diversity, rich ecological and natural resources. However, the region faces unique challenges due to its landlocked geography, infrastructural bottlenecks, environmental vulnerabilities, and economic underdevelopment. Given the history of colonial encounters and the subsequent context of integration with the mainland, the region needs critical empirical engagement and academic articulation to comprehend its complexity and diversity.

There are myriad fields of academic engagement across disciplines of Social Sciences that provide numerous perspectives as far as understanding the region is concerned. Considering the diversity in geography and demography, dynamics of the rural economy and emerging trends of development and resource management, the region remain a significant part of academic engagement. Since around 85 per cent of the population constitute rural population, their economic concerns and issues of livelihood need proper understanding. Similarly, issues and concerns of public health are also important areas where the attention of the academia is crucial for better policy implications. Environmental sustainability is another significant area where academic intervention is required.

Further, societies in the region is apparently termed as gender egalitarian. However, changing dynamics of economic relations have also influenced gender relations in peculiar ways, which necessitates newer research. Besides, understanding the region from its strategic location is also important as it shares international border with five countries and is projected as the gateway of India towards the East. Thus, the implication of recent developments in world politics in general and changing dynamics in India’s neighbourhood, in particular on the region, needs critical attention.

Thus, the proposed Doctoral Scholars’ Conference would deliberate on, but not limited to, the following subthemes:

• Northeast India and its Neighbourhood
• Environmental Concerns and Sustainability
• Dynamics of Rural Economy
• Resource and Development
• Gender Relations
• Issues of Public Health
• Others

Prospective Participants:

Only Registered Ph.D. candidates/ scholars from Universities and Research Institutes located in Northeast India. Around 25 participants will be shortlisted for the conference. The selection of the participants will be based on the abstract they submit and representation of the region. Selected participants will have to submit a full paper before the conference date.

Only scholars affiliated with the universities or research institutes in the Northeastern region of India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura) are encouraged to apply.

Financial Support: Selected participants will be provided with a travel stipend and accommodation to facilitate their participation at the event.

 Abstract Guidelines:

• The abstract should be within 500-600 words. It should provide sufficient details about the; background and objectives of the study, methods, findings, conclusion and 3-5 Keywords.
• All submissions must be in PDF document format only. The formatting should be in Times New Roman; font size 12 with regular texts and headings in bold; line spacing 1.15, and alignment “justified”.
• The file should only contain the title of the paper/abstract. There should be no mention of the author’s name or affiliation. The title of the paper should be used as a filename.
• The authors are requested to submit only an abstract at this stage. Full papers would not be considered at this stage. Once abstracts are selected, the authors will be informed to submit the full papers. Only scholars submitting full papers by the deadline will be considered for the final selection.

Important Dates:

Last date for submission of abstract: Extended till 10 December 2024

Selected abstracts notified of acceptance (please check your Email/Spam): 30 December 2024

Last date for Submission of full paper: 10 February 2025

Final Selected paper notified: 20 February 2025

Dates of the Conference: 11^th -12^th March 2025

Location: Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD), Guwahati, India

Organising Committee:

Rajdeep Singha (Associate Professor, OKDISCD, Guwahati)

Akshay Jyoti Sarma (Assistant Professor, OKDISCD, Guwahati)

Arunima Deka (Assistant Professor, OKDISCD, Guwahati)

Sunanda Nair-Bidkar (Director, South Asia, INET)

Bikram Barman (Coordinator, South Asia Working Group, INET-YSI)

Christina Kujur (Organizer, South Asia Working group, INET-YSI)

For any further information, please contact us: southasia@youngscholarsinitiative.org/ okdprogramme2022@gmail.com