Call for Abstracts

Cairo, Egypt | 1-2 July 2024

Deadline: 24 February 2024

The Center for Economic, Legal, and Social Studies and Documentation (CEDEJ) and the The Arab Political Science Network (APSN) are pleased to invite proposals for short papers (approximately 3,000 words) for a research workshop on ‘The Politics of Infrastructure in MENA’. The workshop will be held on 1-2 July 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. The deadline for applications is 24 February 2024.

Workshop Description

The study of the politics of infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa continues to gain interest among scholars with different interdisciplinary backgrounds. Roads, trains, ports, and communication networks facilitate the connection of people, societies, and spaces not only within the region but also with other parts of the globe. A growing body of research explores the political character of these fixtures, examining how they shape people’s life, societal, economic, and urban development, and political dynamics. This workshop is part of a broader project on politics of infrastructure that includes a monthly seminar series. You can join the sessions by visiting this webpage.

We welcome essays and research about infrastructure and war; urban infrastructure and the ecology; digital and virtual infrastructure; energy infrastructure; transportation and logistics infrastructure. But other related and relevant topics are also encouraged.

The organizers will cover the cost of participation (including flights and lodging). 10 days prior to the workshop, the participants must submit 3,000-4,000-word papers in English. A synthesis of the papers will be published in an open access research report in English and Arabic after the workshop.

Application Requirements:

All applications must be submitted via this form by 24 February 2024, and include:

(1)   A two-page Resume

(2)   A 250-words short bio.

(3)   An abstract of 500 words maximum in English, summarizing the work-in-progress and outlining the core research question(s), method(s) and framework to be used.

Selected participants will be notified by March 7. If you have any questions, please contact communication@cedej-eg.org