CALL FOR PAPERS
Central Asia in a
Changing World Order:
Connectivity, Agency, Transformation
9–12 June 2027
Proposal deadline: 30 December 2026
BISHKEK · KYRGYZSTAN
Hosted by
PRELIMINARY TIMELINE
Submit proposals
30 December 2026
Acceptance notifications
1 February 2027
Registration opens
1 March 2027
Payment deadline
30 April 2027
THE CONFERENCE
Central Asia in a Changing World Order.
The European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS) invites proposals for individual papers, panels and round-table discussions for the 21st ESCAS conference, which will take place at American University of Central Asia and Ala-Too International University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Based on our already established experience, the conference is planned as an inclusive academic platform which responds to the needs of exchanging information and ideas and identifying challenges and opportunities for conducting research in and about Central Asia (including topics on Turkey, the Caucasus, and adjacent regions), fostering discussions between disciplines and scholarly traditions.
The conference theme, “Connectivity, Agency, Transformation,” invites contributions exploring Central Asia’s place in a changing world order through both historical and contemporary perspectives. Connectivity encompasses the movement of people, ideas, goods, and cultural practices within and beyond the region, including the inequalities and boundaries that shape these exchanges. Agency draws attention to how states, institutions, communities, and individuals negotiate constraints, pursue their aspirations, and shape regional and global relationships. Transformation invites reflection on political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental change, while remaining attentive to continuities, contested meanings, and everyday experiences across the diverse societies of Central Asia.
We encourage you to share with others your findings, irrespective of your specialty. Submissions about little-known areas, socio-economic transformations in the region, societal and cultural change, macro or micro tendencies, anthropology, archaeology, environmental issues or economics, law and legal studies, sociology or political science or cross-disciplinary research are welcome. We aim to promote the event as a showroom for research on Central Asia, foster collaborations and exchanges between researchers and institutions, and offer career development opportunities for young and mid-career researchers.
We welcome a regional focus on the broader Central Asian region and invite interested researchers to submit abstracts for individual papers, panels, or roundtables. Proposals can relate to all aspects of research in the arts, humanities, economics and social sciences on Central Asia. Our core focus are republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. But, acknowledging that the very constitution of Central Asia relies on exchanges and flows of people, ideas, and items, we are open (and keen) to receive proposals on neighbouring regions, namely Mongolia, Turkey, Afghanistan, together with adjacent regions of Russia, China, Iran, South Asia, and the Caucasus.
Our programme will feature classic academic presentations and panels, roundtables, book discussions, as well as professional development workshops.
Connectivity
The movement of people, ideas, goods, and cultural practices—and the inequalities and boundaries that shape these exchanges.
Agency
How states, institutions, communities, and individuals negotiate constraints, pursue aspirations, and shape relationships.
Transformation
Political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental change, alongside continuities and everyday experiences.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Find your format
Individual presentations
Submit a 300-word abstract and a short biographical statement. Individual papers must be delivered in English.
For travel/accommodation aid, please see travel grants below for conditions and include your personal statement with your abstract.
Complete panels
Provide a panel title and an abstract of max. 400 words, preliminary presentation titles with abstracts, and short biographies and contact emails for the convenors, discussant(s), and chair.
Panels should have 3–4 speakers, 1–2 discussants, and a chair. If you cannot identify a discussant or chair, the organisers can help allocate one.
Book discussions
Submit a 300-word abstract with the presenter’s name and the names of the discussants (ideally 2–3). The book must have been published in 2025 or later.
Begin the proposal title with “Book Discussion”, followed by the book title and author.
Roundtables
Provide a 400-word rationale and the names and biographies of all participants. Roundtables must have a chair and 3–5 speakers.
Chairs
The organisers can help allocate a chair if needed. Information about volunteering as a chair will be sent once participants have been selected.
Pre-conference workshops and training · 9 June 2027
The pre-conference day is devoted to small workshops and training sessions offered by participants or local staff. Topics are open and may include publication strategies, research software, and new methodological or epistemological approaches in Central Asian Studies.
Propose a topic through ConfTool. The organisers will assist with gathering participants, a venue, and materials. Sessions usually last 1.5 hours; longer sessions can be requested.
Presentation languages
The primary conference language is English. Proposals for panels, roundtables, and book discussions conducted primarily in other languages are welcome and encouraged.
Indicate the planned working language in brackets after the title, for example [Uzbek] or [Russian]. Submit an abstract in English followed by the abstract in the proposed language.
Individual paper proposals can only be accepted if they will be delivered in English.
PLANNING YOUR PARTICIPATION
Conference fees
All fees are in euros (EUR). The conference fee covers materials, coffee breaks, and the welcome/network dinner.
| Fee category | ESCAS member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | €90 | €120 |
| Reduced* | €60 | €80 |
| Student (MA / PhD) | €60 | Not available*** |
| Student reduced* | €30 | Not available*** |
| Visitor pass** | €15 | €15 |
* Reduced fees apply to citizens from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Mongolia, and Afghanistan.
** Visitor pass: Covers all conference days and may be purchased on site in euros or Kyrgyz soms at the applicable exchange rate, regardless of membership. It includes scientific panels and cultural events, but does not include the participants’ reception/dinner.
*** Student fees: MA and PhD students must become ESCAS members to qualify for student rates. See the ESCAS website for membership information.
Payment deadline: 30 April 2027. Payments will become available through ConfTool after selection. If you encounter difficulties, a Wise payment QR code will be made available in due course.
SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION
Travel grants
To encourage participation by early-career Central Asian researchers based in Central Asia with limited institutional support, ESCAS offers up to 8 travel grants of up to €250 each.
To apply, submit a short motivation letter with your abstract, explaining your circumstances, why your institution cannot support you, and your expected travel costs.
Priority may be given to scholars from the region over those based in Europe or the United States. If you can apply for funding within your own organisation, you are encouraged to do so, allowing ESCAS to support scholars without other resources.
Accommodation and meals: Additional free accommodation and meals during the conference may become available. This support is not yet confirmed.
Bring your research to Bishkek.
Submit your abstract and biographical statement through ConfTool by 30 December 2026.
For submission issues or questions, contact escas2027@gmail.com.
You may also include information about other activities you would like to offer, such as a cultural tour in Bishkek, a training session, or a research discussion. Please contact the organisers for clarification.
Successful applicants will be asked to register through ConfTool, where the conference fee can be paid.
About ESCAS
The European Society for Central Asian Studies emerged from an informal collaboration among Europe-based scholars in 1985 to promote joint research and interdisciplinary studies on Central Asia. Cooperation was institutionalised in 1995 when the Society was established.
For more information, visit www.escas.org.