Exploring Ethnicity: Diversity in Language, Nation, and Identity

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University of Manchester

The University of Manchester, School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, welcomes papers for the upcoming postgraduate conference, Exploring Ethnicity: Diversity in Language, Nation, and Identity to be held on 23-24 April 2015 in Manchester, UK.

Furthermore, we are proud to announce a distinguished scholar as keynote speaker for the conference, Dr. Jan Blommaert from Tilburg University.

The conference aims to further the study of minorities and ethnic communities through an interdisciplinary approach. The conference comes at a time when increased globalisation and migration has brought the discussion of minorities and ethnic diversity to the academic and public debate. Nevertheless, a larger collective discussion is necessary to address not only the linguistic and social aspects of cultural contact but also the complexities of political, religious and historical influences. As populations and their needs continue to change, research on minorities and diversity must also address a continually expanding and shifting set of issues.

In addition to the papers, the conference will include a half-day workshop. The workshop aims to provide an interactive discussion on methods and tools that will equip future researchers who wish to engage with the topics addressed at the conference. The workshop will be led by established researchers and will allow participants to share their experiences, to report upon methodologies for research and to discuss the commonalities of ethnicity research from across the Humanities, with intent to better understand the current complexities that individuals, cities and countries face.

We welcome papers that consider ethnicity from the perspective of the following topics:
• Cultural Homogeneity and Globalisation
• Immigration and Citizenship
• Superdiversity
• Language Policy and Planning
• Education, Translation and Standardisation
• Religious, (post)national and other forms of belonging
• Media Narratives
• History
Papers will be allotted 20-minute presentation slots to be followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
Interested participants must send an abstract of maximum 300 words to: kathleen.easlick@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk.

Please include five key words that encapsulate the content of the paper and your university affiliation.

Deadline to submit an abstract is: 15 February 2015.