Conference Updates

Haitian beaded artwork

CSA 2016 Abstract Submission Process

41st Annual Conference of the Caribbean Studies Association
“Caribbean Global Movements: People, Ideas, Culture, Arts and Economic Sustainability

The theme of the CSA 2016 conference (Haiti, June 5-11, 2016) – Caribbean Global Movements: People, Ideas, Culture, Arts and Economic Sustainability – proposes a focus on the various movements that identify the Caribbean as located firmly in the global currents, while also repositioning questions of knowledge and sustainability. It also offers a space to think through the centrality of Haiti in these movements and how we can envision and plan future movements. This conference will examine how Caribbean global movements operate, as people, ideas, and cultural arts from the Caribbean continue to have transnational impact.

We invite scholarly papers, workshops, and roundtable proposals from individuals spanning the broadest disciplinary and methodological range whose work focuses upon the Caribbean and its Diaspora. We welcome submissions that engage the complexities of the region, particularly in terms of the intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality, religion, etc. We are also interested in workshop and roundtable proposals that offer engaged discussion in any of the proposed topic areas with a focus on solutions and models for change. We invite artists of all kinds to submit work for consideration in the visual and performance arts track and the film track – the committee’s call for proposals is available on the CSA website. We also invite writers to submit proposals for the author celebration and the literary salon.

We welcome submissions and proposals on a range of topics that relate to the overall conference theme within any of these topic areas: (See the more detailed descriptions of topic areas in the CFP – CLICK HERE)

1) Caribbean migrations, including intra-island and circum-Caribbean migrations

2) Caribbean development and ideas for sustainable economic integration of the Caribbean

3) Caribbean labour and social movements

4) Caribbean intellectual and socio-political movements

5) Caribbean creative imagination and spiritual movements

CSA 2016 Guidelines for Submissions

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the CSA website (NOT via email). The deadline for individual paper, panel, roundtable, and workshop submissions is November 1, 2015. The new software system allows us to gather necessary information from each submission/proposal – please pay attention to the changes and required information, as well as space to submit additional information. All of this will help the Program Committee and Executive Council to plan efficiently. Here are important items to take note of when preparing and submitting abstracts/proposals:

  • Select a “topic” for the abstract/proposal (for individual papers, panels, workshops or roundtables – see the truncated list of topics above and the full descriptions in the CFP)
  • All submissions must indicate language of presentation and presentation method
  • “Main Author” is the chair for panels, and “Co-Author” is for other presenters.
  • Abstracts must not exceed 125 words for individual papers or 250 words for panels.
  • Titles for all proposals must not exceed 70 characters.
  • Proposed panels or roundtables should contain at least 3 and no more than 4 presenters, and panel chairperson must be named as the “main author.” Each presenter or “co-author” must also be listed and supporting documents with titles and short abstracts for each presenter can be uploaded with the Panel or Roundtable submission.
  • Paper titles and abstracts should be submitted in at least one other language besides English (Spanish, French or Haitian Kreyol, Dutch or Papiamento); multilingual abstracts will be published in the electronic version of the program.
  • Panels should strive to represent a diversity of languages, rank, affiliations and disciplines (i.e., inclusion of graduate students and junior scholars on panels with senior scholars, activists, and/or practitioners; panels composed of social science, arts and humanities scholars).
  • Papers/presentations that require special equipment, installation space, rooms, translation services, etc., must be indicated on the submission form.
  • Workshops should be strategy focused and directly engage in the topic areas, and must include clearly stated outcomes and goals – with one main presenter and no more than 3 co-presenters.

Proposals for Film and Visual Arts and Performance Committee, Literary Salon, and Author Celebration – must be submitted through the CSA website – Deadline November 15, 2015

  • Select the track/committee under “topics” and use the supporting documents area to upload files, photos, videos, trailers, etc. that will supplement the abstract/proposal.
  • Presentations of films and visual and performing arts, as well as related panels, are welcome. See the Call for Proposals under “Committees” on the CSA website. Be sure to review this for specific details and requirements from the committee and track chairs.
  • Presentations for the Author Celebration and the Literary Salon are also welcome. See the Calls for Proposals under “Committees” on the CSA website. Be sure to review for specific details and requirements from these committees.

For additional information or help with suggested topics, submission forms, author celebration, literary salon, film and arts tracks, and/or translation, please contact the CSA Program Co-Chairs, Marie-José Nzengou-Tayo and Angelique V. Nixon, at program.chair@caribbeanstudiesassociation.org.

» CLICK HERE to Submit an Abstract