"Nonprofits and the Social Economy, Pursuing Borders without Boundaries", ANSER-ARES Conference May 28-30 (ST Catherin, Ontario), call for papers until 17th January

Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER). CALL FOR PAPERS ANSER/ARES CONFERENCE May 28-30. "Nonprofits and the Social Economy, Pursuing Borders without Boundaries" .

ANSER/ARES is a dynamic growing association that is organizing its seventh annual conference as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. ANSER brings together leading academic researchers, practitioners, consultants, policymakers and community organizations from Canada and internationally to discuss current and emergent issues, debates and challenges in the fields of civil society, social economy, and nonprofit research and practice. Join us for what promises to be an engaging and provocative conference. The theme for the seventh conference at Brock is: Nonprofits and the Social Economy, Pursuing Borders without Boundaries. 

The conference is an opportunity to welcome and explore new voices and perspectives, including those who are far from centres of power and influence due to economic, health, geography and other factors, and indigenous peoples whose languages and cultures are endangered. It is a call for the social sciences and humanities to explore these issues of inclusivity, marginalization and diversity and suggest innovative solutions and models for response. Within this context, nonprofits and other social economy organizations are well poised to lead these discussions.

 We invite you to submit proposals for individual papers, panels, or roundtable discussions on topics related to nonprofits, co-operatives, social enterprises, community economic development, and the social economy in Canadian, comparative, or international contexts. Proposals are particularly encouraged that fit into any of the following areas, broadly defined: 

• Nonprofits and the Social Economy
• Co-operatives
• Nonprofits in a Time of Cutbacks
• Social Enterprises, Social Entrepreneurship, & Social Innovation
• Community Economic Development & Community Organizing
• Volunteering & Citizen Engagement
• Collaborations, Partnerships & Mergers
• Communication, Networking & Social Media
• Finance
• Governance & Management
• Research Methodologies & Community-University Research Partnerships
• Public Policy & Government Relations
• Theoretical Perspectives

 We also accept proposals of wider relevance, which may not fit the categories listed above. We are particularly interested in papers, panels and roundtables involving collaboration between academics and practitioners. 

Types of Proposals

Proposal Submission Deadline: January 12, 2014

Three types of proposals will be considered: individual papers, panels, and roundtables, all of which are subject to a peer review.

1) Paper Proposals

Paper proposals normally present research findings with some link to or reflection on theory, but they could also be “think pieces,” discussions of research-in-progress, including graduate theses or dissertations, or reflections on practice. The proposal for a paper should include: 1) a title; 2) the conference theme being addressed; 3) a 100-word abstract of the presentation; and 4) a 500-word summary of the argument of the paper, how the issue fits within a wider literature (as appropriate), and its relevance to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER/ARES. You will also be asked to provide very brief biographical information on the author(s).

2) Panel Proposals

Panels are collections of three or four papers on a related theme. Ideally, these papers build upon each other, thereby adding to the coherence of the panel. Panel organizers are responsible for preparing an abstract of the panel as a whole. For panels comprising 3 presenters, each individual will be expected to speak for no longer than 20 minutes; for panels of 4 presenters, each participant will be expected to speak for no longer than 15 minutes. To allow adequate time for questions and discussion, the panel chair should ensure that presenters do not exceed the time limit.

The abstract for a panel should include: 1) a title; 2) the conference theme being addressed; 3) 250-500 word overview of the focus of the panel, the coherence of the individual papers around this focus, and the relevance of the panel to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER/ARES; and 4) a 250-word summary of each paper to be included in the panel. You will also be asked to provide brief biographical information on each of the authors.

If you are a member of a panel you are NOT required to submit a separate proposal.

3) Roundtables

Roundtables are well suited to: the discussion of the implications of an issue for practice; the discussion of research needs or research in progress around specific topics; or the presentation of contrasting perspectives on an issue with a designated facilitator. Roundtable presenters are not expected to provide written papers.

The abstract for a roundtable should include: 1) a title; 2) the conference theme being addressed; 3) a 500-word overview of the topic to be discussed, indication of the relationship of the individual presentations to the topic, and the relevance of the roundtable to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER/ARES; and 4) a short summary of the key points of each presenter. You will also be asked to provide brief biographical information on each participant.

Submission of Proposals

Proposal abstracts, in either official language, must be submitted online by January 12, 2014, at: http://conferences.uvic.ca/index.php/anser-ares/anser-ares2014/index A link to the online system is also available on our Website at www.anser-ares.ca. Any questions can be directed to anserconference@gmail.com.

All proposals will be subject to peer review and notification of acceptance will be provided by February 17, 2014. Authors of accepted papers (individual and panel) must submit extended abstracts of 5 to 8 pages by May 19th upload to the conference website.

Conference Information

Participants in the ANSER/ARES 2014 Conference should register through the website of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences (http://congress2014.ca/register), which includes a reduction for early registration before March 31, 2014. The fees, posted on the website, are for the Congress registration AND for a one-year membership in ANSER/ARES. In addition to the right to participate in the conference, members in ANSER/ARES receive a newsletter; early access to the Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research; and the opportunity to apply for ANSER/ARES research prizes. When registering, you also have the option of selecting the annual banquet in the evening of May 29, 2014. More information is available from the ANSER website (www.anser-ares.ca). The Congress website also includes information on accommodation, discounts for travel, and local information.

For more information, you can email us at anserconference@gmail.com or check the ANSER conference website and follow @anser2014 and #anser2014 on twitter for updates about keynote speakers, plenary panels, banquet details and the other exciting events we have organized for your visit.