International Conference: ‘ETHNOGRAPHY OF DISASTERS’
The Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is pleased to announce its forthcoming international conference ‘Ethnography of Disasters’, planned to be held 11th–12th of May 2021 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In the conditions of increasing and dramatic occurrence of disasters of different nature, scale and consequences in people's lives, the social sciences and humanities are intensively forming new research fields searching for scholarly solutions to prevent and overcome the crisis situations. We invite scholars and researchers from all areas of humanities and social sciences to participate in an inter- and multi-disciplinary discussion on historical and contemporary research into disasters, hazards and catastrophes. Their contributions would be preferably based on ethnographic or related field investigation, but we also welcome theoretical and summarising constructs. The conference is aimed at gathering studies on various disaster categories: natural, biological and technological, but also concentrating on disaster management and planning, recovery, evacuation and migration, and their cultural impact on local, national or global levels. We are looking еspecially to receive interpretations on a symbiosis between ethnography, quality of life and disaster studies.
The conference is into the frameworks of the project “Local Disasters and Quality of Life: Cultural Strategies in Overcoming Natural, Technological and Biological Disasters” (2017-2021) (DN 20/5 – 11.12.2017, funded by the Bulgarian Science Fund – Ministry of Education and Science). Working languages of the conference: Bulgarian and English.
An abstract (between 200 – 250 words) along with a proposed title, five keywords, the author’s full name, e-mail, institutional and disciplinary affiliation and a short biography should be sent by January of 31st 2021 to the following email: localdisasters@gmail.com.
Participants will be informed about the outcome of the Organizing Committee selection process no later than 15th of February 2021.
Selected papers will be invited for publication.
Please note that while there is no participation fee, the Organizing Committee does not cover travel and accommodation. We advise future participants to search for potential financial support from their respective institutions, academic exchange programs, etc. The Organizing Committee carefully follows the local and international restrictions on travel, public gatherings, and workplace closures, of possible limited interactions in the coming months and year. The participants will be notified about any changes in the above-stated plans, to minimise the risks around the COVID–19 pandemic.
We are looking forward to receiving your proposals!
Organizing Committee:
Assoc. Prof. PhD Elya Tzaneva, Assoc. Prof. PhD Mila Maeva, Assist. Prof. PhD Yelis Erolova
Mila Maeva