[ASA_PEWS] Call for Submissions - 5th ISA Forum of Sociology, Rabat, 6-11 July 2025

[Kaan Agartan]

***********  Apologies for cross-posting  **********

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well.

I would like to invite you to submit your abstracts to the following two sessions at the upcoming ISA Forum in Rabat this summer.

[1]
Session Title: Reimagining Radical Democracy and Social Movements in the XXI Century

Organizing Committee: RC48 Social Movements, Collective Actions and Social Change

Description:
This session aims to explore the dynamic interplay between radical democracy and contemporary social movements, with a particular focus on how these movements can foster new forms of citizenship and offer non-capitalist alternatives to the prevailing socio-economic structures.

We invite submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  *   The theoretical underpinnings of radical democracy and their influence on social movements
  *   Case studies of contemporary social movements and their efforts to implement radical democratic principles
  *   The challenges and successes of anti-austerity and pro-democracy movements in the twenty-first century
  *   New expressions of citizenship and non-capitalist alternatives proposed by social movements
  *   The role of social movements in addressing the failures of liberal democracy
  *   Comparative analyses of social movements across different regions and their approaches to radical democracy.
We encourage submissions that offer empirical research, case studies, theoretical insights, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Submissions should be made via the ISA Forum platform:
https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/forum2025/webprogrampreliminary/Session19787.html


[2]
Session Title: Sociological Conversations on Palestine: Academic Freedom in Dark Times

Organizing Committees: RC48 Social Movements, Collective Actions and Social Change, RC44 Labor Movements, RC47 Social Classes and Social Movements

Description:
The "Palestine exception to academic freedom" reached new heights with Israel's genocidal response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas. The world witnessed the failure of university administrations in protecting political dissent when discussions on Israel's apartheid policies became policed and silenced in the name of fighting antisemitism. More alarmingly, expressions of solidarity with Palestinians and attempts to historicize the conflict have been smeared with accusations of terrorism. Students getting suspended for peaceful protests, professors being barred from teaching for social media posts, and alumni and donors intimidating university administrations became instances when academics' freedom to contribute to open and robust discussion of controversial issues in the academy and beyond were significantly compromised.

This panel invites interventions employing historical, comparative and theoretical perspectives on the questions of academic freedom, free speech on campus, and movements for justice in/for Palestine. Topics include but are not limited to:


  *   The meaning of public sociology in the context of the study of Palestinian dispossession and the Israel/Palestine conflict in its historical context,
  *   Possible strategies for the facilitation of intellectual inquiry on the "Palestine Question",
  *   Issues of balancing free speech and campus safety
  *   Worldwide campus solidarity protests in Spring 2024
  *   The impact of academic boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns on the Palestine/Israel conflict,
  *   The role of private funding in shaping research and teaching agendas on the Palestine/Israel conflict

Submissions should be made via the ISA Forum platform: https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/forum2025/webprogrampreliminary/Session20446.html

Please submit your abstracts by October 15, 2024.


Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Kaan Agartan


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Kaan Agartan, Ph.D.

Department of Sociology and Criminology
Framingham State University
100 State Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Tel: (508) 626-4854

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