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SWCAS 53rd Annual Conference

Technology, Knowledge and Belonging: Asia and the Global Dynamics of Thought, Development and Human Endeavors
November 1 – 2, 2024

Stephen F. Austin State University, 

Member of the University of Texas System, Nacogdoches, TX 

The 53rd Annual meeting of the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies will be held November 1st – 2nd, 2024 on the campus of the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

The theme of this year’s conference is: technology, culture, and identity.

The rapid advancement of technology has profoundly shaped the way we perceive and construct our identities and sense of belonging. As technology continues to evolve, it influences not only the ways in which we communicate and interact but also how we conceptualize our individual and collective identities. Debates regarding the emancipatory power of technology or its more controlling, limiting and respective aspects continue to remain an ongoing conversation compelling us to anticipate future challenges to our conception of self and belonging.

The production and consumption of technology is also beginning to realign global networks of exchange, trade and politics. For instance, the silicon-based world impacts global stability and trade while AI tools promise untold revolution in all industries and sectors. Some portent a horrible, dystopian future of robotic enslavement and melted ice-caps flooding islands of e- waste. Others predict a hopeful new era of human flourishing and freedom mediated by technological evolution. While we are faced with a modern profusion of technological innovation, humanity has had a long history of using technology, both in productive and problematic ways. Does technology hurt or harm or do both? Does technology alter our conception of humanity and how does technology mold our visions of the future?

This interdisciplinary conference invites scholars to explore the multifaceted connections between technology, ideas, and identity/belonging. We encourage submissions that engage with, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Digital Identities: Examining how technology shapes and mediates individual and collective identities in the digital age.
• Cultural Narratives in the Digital Era and beyond: Exploring the impact of technology on cultural narratives, storytelling, translation, and the formation of shared ideas.
• Virtual Communities and Belonging: Investigating how online spaces and virtual communities contribute to the construction of identity and a sense of belonging.
• Ethics and Technology: Analyzing the ethical implications of technological advancements on identity formation, social belonging, and the generation of knowledge.
• Historical Perspectives: Investigating historical instances where technology, ideas, and identity intersected and influenced one another.
• New Approaches to Religious Studies, Gender Studies, Youth and Aging: Exploring topics around Asia from the perspective of religion, gender, feminist, queer studies, youth studies, and gerontology.
• Disability and Body: Exploring issues surrounding disability, ableism, and the body.

Paper/Panel proposals on other topics related to Asia are also welcome.

Roundtables, pedagogically focused panels, and submissions from graduate students and early career scholars are highly encouraged. The conference will simultaneously take place in person and online. Note: Space for virtual presentations is limited and priority will be given to scholars based outside of the US. Scholars who submit a paper to present in-person will be unable to present virtually.

Please submit either an individual or panel proposal using the forms at this link: 

Panel Proposals of three to four papers should include the following: (1) a 300-word summary, including a brief description of each paper and the connection between them; (2) a list of participants, paper titles, affiliations, and e-mail addresses; and (3) mode of presentation (in-person or virtual) [note: all panelists must present in the same mode]

Individual Paper proposals should include the following: (1) a paper title and 150-word abstract; (2) the presenter’s name, affiliation, and e-mail address; and (3) mode of presentation (in-person of virtual)

Graduate Students: A limited number of $100 travel stipends will be available for graduate students presenting papers in person at the conference. Also, SWCAS awards a $200 prize for the best graduate student paper. To be considered for this award, graduate students must submit an abstract by July 15, 2024 and a full paper draft by October 1, 2024.