Call for Papers IRCHSS-2016

We are delighted to announce the fifth International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences-2016 (IRCHSS-2016), to take place at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, on 10th and 11th November, 2016.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers:

  • Professor David Amigoni, Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor in Victorian Literature, University of Keele, UK
  • Professor Scott McCracken, Research Director/ Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor of English Literature, University of Keele, UK

Await more!

The theme for the International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences-2016 (IRCHSS-2016) is ‘Transformation for Empowerment: Moving beyond Buzzwords’. Transformation – a process of astute and insightful change which orients a society in a novel direction and takes to a different level of effectiveness – often results in  empowerment. Recent years have seen an upsurge of interest in such buzzwords, especially in fin-de-siècle discourses for social innovation. Yet, development and liberty are continually captured in a seductive blend of such fashionable expressions, ending rather in immobility – not in green light. A major obstacle has been the inadequate nature of collaboration between researchers, policy makers, third party organisers, and the public. What is also required is to move beyond catchphrases for lasting and meaningful empowerment of our society. Thus, the IRCHSS-2016’s aim is to reconsider and move beyond buzzwords towards action. The theme has been chosen to explore not only the necessity but also the means and routes for empowerment – to enhance active engagement and to address the interdependencies, tensions and trade-offs between different socio-cultural, educational and political spheres – between researchers, policy makers and the public. By bringing together established and emerging scholars, and by opening an interdisciplinary forum, our intent is to unlock and reframe the perception of empowerment. While explicating the reinvention of meaning of research in different socio-cultural, educational and political milieu, the conference attempts to minimise the gap between theories and praxis.

We welcome abstracts for papers across the range of disciplines, including but not confined to the following areas:

  • Aesthetic and Performance Studies
  • Anthropology and Development
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Economics and Finance
  • Education and Development
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Health and Social Care
  • History and Archaeology
  • Linguistics and Language Studies
  • Literary and Cultural Studies
  • Philosophy and Ethics
  • Political Science and Public Policy
  • Sociology and Social Policy
  • Theology and Religious Studies
  • Women’s and Gender Studies

Deadline for abstract submission: 30th April 2016

You are also invited to contribute to the accompanying poster presentation – “Crossing Spatiality and Temporality”, the symposium on media and society – “Concerted Thinking and Collaborative Work”   and to the blog – “The Nexus: IRCHSS-2016 on Blogosphere”.

For further details, please visit irchss.sjp.ac.lk