CFP: "Transient Migration in the Asia-Pacific; Identities, Social Networks and Media" Symposium (deadline extended, 3/16/15)

Transient Migration in the Asia-Pacific: Identities, Social Networks and Media

12 November 2015

RMIT University, Melbourne

Call for Papers

 ‘Transient Migration in the Asia-Pacific’ is a symposium supported by the Australian Research Council and hosted by RMIT University. Temporary migration is increasingly part of everyday life in the 21st century. The global, transient and circular flows of people for work and study are, for instance, part of our quotidian encounters and accepted practice in contemporary societies. In the Asia-Pacific, the movement of both skilled and unskilled labour and the growing number of students from within and outside the region has become commonplace. These migrant flows and the cultures of mobility pose interesting questions about the maintenance and formation of the identities and social networks of transients especially in the age of global media and communication. What kinds of identities and social networks are maintained, created and/or renewed while in transience? How does consumption and engagement with the media (including communication and social media) affect these processes? How important are home-based and host-based identities, social networks and media to transient migrants? How significant are identities and social networks formed by individuals in transience? Finally, in what ways do identities, social networks and media facilitate, hinder or further return to the homeland and future mobility?

Individual papers and panels may include but are not restricted to case studies, theoretical developments and historical studies on the following themes:

• Adapting to everyday life in transience
• Cultures of transience
• Connections/Disconnections made
• Community(s) formed
• Language(s) and discourse(s) of transience
• Future aspirations and mobilities
• Use and value of media and communication technologies

Selected papers will be included in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal.

Registration for the event is FREE and takes place right after the Race, Mobility and Imperial Networks:  Charting the Transnational Asia-Pacific World, 1800-2015 conference, also held at RMIT University.

Confirmed Speakers:

Prof. Kirpal Singh (Singapore Management University)

Prof. Supriya Singh (RMIT University)

A/Prof. Shanton Chang (University of Melbourne)

A/Prof. Fran Martin (University of Melbourne)

Please submit 200-300 word abstracts and panels for review to:

transmigrant2015@gmail.com

DEADLINE EXTENDED:  16 March 2015

Conference Convenor:

Dr Catherine Gomes (RMIT University)

Secretariat:

Dr Dora Constantinidis (RMIT University)

Website: http://transientmigrants.butterpaper.com/2015-symposium/