Newsletter 23 - 21 January 2003
Last updated: 14 November 2011
SWEDISH SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES NETWORK
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Contents:
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SASNET News:
• Panels suggestions welcome for the 18th EASAS conference in 2004
SASNET will arrange the 18th European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies, which will take place at Lund University, Sweden, 6–9 July 2004. Scholars engaged in research and teaching concerning South Asia with regard to all periods and fields of study are welcome to take part in the conference. SASNET organises the conference on behalf of the European Association for South Asian Studies, EASAS. Suggestions for panels should be delivered before 30 June, 2003. Read the announcement for the conference.
• Masters course in South Asian studies at Lund University
SASNET is actively assisting the setting-up of a 60 credits Masters Course (Magisterutbildning) in Asian Studies that will start at Lund University in the Fall 2003. The course will have two separate tracks, one for East and South East Asian studies, and the other for South Asian studies. The courses are currently planned by teachers and researchers in the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences (assisted by SASNET), in collaboration with the Centre for East and South East Asian Studies at Lund University. Deadline for applications to the courses is 15 April, 2003. More information.
• Decisions on planning grants on 28 January
A total number of 19 applications for the latest round of SASNET planning grants were received before the closing-date on 15 November 2002. 17 applications refer to research programmes/projects, one to education; and one to continued research networking. Total amount applied for is 1.58 Million SEK, whereas total amount available to distribute will be 475 000 SEK (preliminary figure). Decisions on the grants will be taken on 28 January, 2003. More information on SASNET’s Planning grants.
• Applications for the next round of SASNET planning grants
are now invited. Closing date for applications is 15 June, 2003. More information.
• SASNET receives continued funding by Sida for the period 2003–2005
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, has decided to fund SASNET for the period 2003–2005. It will give an annual grant of 1.65 million SEK. Lund University gives an annual grant of 0.55 million SEK.
• Use SASNET’s advanced search function
An advanced search function was created for SASNET last year by Netlab at Lund University. It provides for a full text search not only to our own web site, but also to all the pages we link up to, in two steps (at present that means more than 15 000 web pages). Therefore our engine is most useful for searching material specifically connected to South Asia. It is found at http://www.sasnet.lu.se/searchf.html
Community News:
• Queen Elizabeth House Working papers available
Research papers from The Queen Elizabeth House Working Papers Series (University of Oxford) are distributed free of charge via Internet in order to stimulate discussion among the worldwide community of scholars. Go for the Working papers series!
Recent papers in the Series related to South Asia include ”India's Religious Pluralism and its Implications for the Economy” by Prof Barbara Harriss-White, and ”Minority Rights in the Indian Constituent Assembly Debates, 1946-1950” by Rochana Bajpai, Nuffield College.
• ”Encyclopedia of Modern Asia” now completed
The six volumes monumental new scholarly work ”Encyclopedia of Modern Asia” has now been completed, under the direction of cultural anthropologist David Levinson. 800 contributors from around the world – including 25 Asian countries – provide 6,000 articles on Modern Asia from a global perspective. The work focuses on Asia in the modern world – including South and Central Asia – and contemporary issues are given full and authoritative treatment. More information on the 3,600 pages encyclopedia published by Charles Scribner's Sons.
• Abstracts from conference on Swedish Development Studies research
More than 250 Swedish researchers came for the conference on Swedish Development Studies research, named ”Fattiga och rika. Aktuell utvecklingsforskning och dess villkor i Sverige”, which was organised by Sida/SAREC and Lund University on 9–11 January 2003. The conditions for development research in Sweden was thoroughly discussed, and a large number of the researchers presented their projects/programmes during the extremely fruitful conference. Several of the projects are related to South Asia. See SASNET’s list of these, accompanied by abstracts.
We are also happy to present the paper presented by one of the key speakers, Professor Barbara Harriss-White. The paper is called ”Unruly and Informal Globalisation and its Impact on Development : A Background Note”. Read the paper (as a Word document).
• Invitation to Discuss the Future of NIAS.
The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) has initiated a process to identify a new form of governance for the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, NIAS, in Copenhagen. A team from the Secretariat of the NCM has been asked to make proposals which will be put forward in mid-May 2003. In order to let NIAS’s partners and users present their views on the issue a discussion list has been opened, with the NIAS Director Jørgen Delman as its moderator. The list is open from 1 January to 15 April 2003.
Vacant research positions/fellowships
• The Centre de Sciences Humaines of New Delhi invites candidates
to apply for a vacancy for a post of researcher in Political science/Political Sociology at the Centre in New Delhi. The candidate must be of European nationality and hold a doctorate in political science, political sociology, international relations, geography, international law or history of contemporary international relations, be oriented towards research initiatives, and be a recognised specialist in his/her discipline. He/she should also have a substantial number of publications to his/her credit, and a perfect command of the English language. Applications before 1 March 2003. Forms have to be ordered from Madame Myard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Social Sciences and Archaeology Division, Paris, France (phone +33 143179456).
Conferences and courses
• Eighth All India Cultural Studies Workshop at Goa
The eighth All India Cultural Studies Workshop will be organised at Goa, India, 17–22 February, 2003. The workshop, which is intended to give young researchers in India and other countries of the South and opportunity to share their work with a selection of senior scholars, is arranged by the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata, but funded jointly by the Danish ENRECA programme, and the Dutch SEPHIS-CSSSC collaboration programme. It is aimed for doctoral and postdoctoral students (preferably under the age of 35) who will be able to present a research paper for discussion. The broad theme for this year’s workshop is ”Citizenship and Identities”, where the aim will be to understand and investigate the centrality of these twin notions in contemporary social and human sciences.
• Workshop for young researchers in the social sciences in Kolkata
The Association Jeunes Etudes Indiennes, AJEI, organizes a workshop for young researchers in the social sciences, in Kolkata, India, 19–20 February, 2003. The theme for the workshop is ”Contemporary perspectives on Identity and Territory in India”.
• London conference on “Culture Colonisation and Decolonisation”
A conference on “Culture Colonisation and Decolonisation in SE and S Asia: French, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch Perspectives” is arranged at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, on 21–22 February 2003. The conference is organised by the Institute of Romance Studies, in collaboration with the AHRB Centre for Asian and African Literatures. Professor Ann Laura Stoler of the History Dept, University of Michigan, will deliver a public keynote address on ”Habits of a Colonial Heart: The Affective Grid of Racial Politics” at SOAS on 21 February, 17.30, in the Main School Lecture Theatre. Other keynote speakers at the conference include Rosa Maria Perez and Stefan Halikowski Smith from the Dept of Portuguese & Brazilian Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S., who will speak on ”Colonisation and Decolonisation in Portuguese India”. More information.
• Conference on ”Capacity Building and Education in Development”
The Danish Association for Development Researchers (Foreningen Af Udviklingsforskere i Danmark – FAU) holds a conference 6–8 March 2003, on ”Capacity Building and Education in Development”, including workshops on • Education as a Strategy to Development, • Capacity Development of Organisations, • Education and Cultures of Entrepreneurship, and • Education: Implementation and Impact. Venue: Djursvold Kursuscenter, Grenå.
• Research training course in Social Science Research in Asia
A research training course on Solving Methodological Problems in Social Science Research in Asia, will be held in Lund and Copenhagen, 17–20 March 2003. PhD students in the Social Sciences are encouraged to apply in a course arranged by the Centre of East and Southeast Asian Studies, Lund University, and Nordic Institute for Asian Studies, Copenhagen. A total number of 20 students will be selected for participation. Six Swedish School of Advanced Asia Pacific Studies (SSAAPS) PhD students and another six Swedish PhD students will be wholly financed by SSAAPS. The remaining eight PhD students, six from the other Nordic countries and two from the Asia Alliance (not including South Asia!), will be called upon to seek funding of their own expenses. Application deadline is 31 January 2003.
• Seminar on ”Religious Mobilisation and Organised Violence”
A two days seminar on ”Religious Mobilisation and Organised Violence in Contemporary South Asia” will be arranged for Nordic PhD candidates in Roskilde, Denmark, 3–4 April 2003. The seminar is aranged by the Graduate School of International Development Studies, Roskilde University Centre. Deadline for paper submission 15 February, 2003. More information.
• Adrian Wood speaks at the Brittish Development Studies Association
The Brittish Development Studies Association invites for its annual conference at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, 10–12 September 2003. Note that participants should be members of the Development Studies association. The main theme for the conference will be ”Globalisation and Development”. Keynote Speaker will be Professor Adrian Wood (Chief Economist, DFID) who will speak on “Globalisation and Poverty Reduction”. Professors George Soros and Mohammed Yunus have also been approached but their presence is not yet confirmed.
• More conferences connected to South Asian studies, se SASNET’s page, http://www.sasnet.lu.se/conferences.html
Important lectures and workshops
• Jan Holmgren lectures on cholera and vaccine research
A public lecture on ”Cholera and the development of Vaccines for the developing and the developed World” is given in Stockholm by Professor Jan Holmgren, from the Institute of Medical Microbiology/Immunology at Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, on Wednesday 29 January, 18–19. Holmgren has been involved in cholera research since several decades, partly in Bangladesh. The lecture is arranged by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, at Lilla Frescativägen 4 A, Stockholm. More information.
• Seminar on ”Global dimensions in education” in Copenhagen
The Danish Fagligt Forum for U-landsoplysning along with Danida’s oplysningsudvalg arranges a seminar in Copenhagen 6 February 2003, 10–16, on ”Global dimensions in education”, with representatives from the government, educational institutions and Danish NGO’s. Venue: Eigtveds Pakhus, Asiatisk Plads 2 G, København K.
• Conference/workshop on ”Democracy as actual practice” in Uppsala
A conference/workshop on ”Democracy as actual practice: What does democracy really bring?” is arranged by the Collegium of Development Studies at Uppsala University in collaboration with Sida on 12–13 March 2003. Among the participants are Marina Ottaway from the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, Washington, DC. Venue: Missionskyrkan, S:t Olofsgatan 40, Uppsala.
Summer Schools
• Contemporary India – a Summer Program in India
The board of the Nordic Center in India announces a four-week summer program in July 2003, on the topic of Contemporary India. The program will consist of lectures and field trips organized by the Study in India Program at the University of Hyderabad in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The deadline for applications will soon be announced. More information.
• The 7th Summer Program in Punjab Studies
will be held at Chandigarh, India, 6 July – 16 August 2003. The program, open to both graduate and undergraduate students, will provide six weeks of instruction in Punjab Studies, including Punjabi teaching (50 hours), and history and culture of the region (90 hours). Application deadline is 28 February 2003, and the selection process will be completed by 10 March. More information.
News on courses and education
• Comprehensive information on Studyin.sweden.se/
The Swedish Institute has launched a new web site giving comprehensive information on studies and research in Sweden. Go for the site!
• Masters Programme in Development Studies at Uppsala University
The Dept of Government will start a 60 ECTS-credits (40 Swedish points) Master’s Programme in Development Studies from September 2003. The programme, which partly focuses on South Asia, is designed to attract students with a special interest in development issues, and might be useful for personnel working in the foreign services, aid organisations, the UN, and non-governmental organisations. Application deadline for students with non-Swedish degrees is 15 February 2003, and for students with Swedish degrees 15 April 2003. More information on the course (as a pdf file).
• Course on Women in Asia; Religion, Politics and Development
CEAS (Centre for Asian Studies), Göteborg University, runs a programme on basic and intermediate level (1–20 credits and 21–40 credits) in Asian studies, which includes teaching on South Asia. In the Spring 2003 only the intermediate course is running.
A separate course on ”Women in Asia; Religion, Politics and Development” is run during the Spring 2003.This course will end up with the International Conference on Women and Politics in Asia, to be held at Halmstad 6–7 June 2003. See the conference homepage.
• South Asia related courses in Religious Science at Högskolan Dalarna
Högskolan Dalarna in Borlänge/Falun runs a 20 credit course on D-level in Religious science, with emphasis on history of religion, every semester (Spring 2003 as well as Fall 2003). The students can choose to study one of four specialized courses on; ‡ Hindu Goddesses and Women; ‡ Islam of Today; ‡Religion and Politics – current tendencies within Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity; or ‡Esoteric Religious traditions.
• New course on Justice, Peace and Environment at Ljungskile Folk High school
A new ”World course” on Justice, Peace and Environment, including a three weeks tour to north India, will be arranged at Ljungskile Folk High school in the Fall 2003. Last date for applications: 3 May 2003. More information.
• Students from Biskops-Arnö report from India
A 36 weeks course on ”Ecology and Global Solidarity”, including a two months stay in India, is arranged for a second year at Biskops-Arnö Folk High school. The course started on 26 August, 2002. More information on the school´s web page.
The students are currently (January 2003) doing their field work in India. Frida Jorup and Johanna Larsson are studying the anti-dam Narmada movement in Madhya Pradesh and send information through e-mail to interested persons.
Nordic Centre in India
• Accommodation in Delhi for Nordic scholars and academic administrators
The Nordic Centre in India, an institution run by a consortium of Nordic universities is still waiting for clearance from the Indian government. But it already provides inexpensive lodging for Nordic scholars and academic administrators while staying in Delhi. More information on the Nordic Centre. Bookings for lodging to be made through the current director Anne Waldrop.
New and updated items on SASNET web site
• More Swedish departments where research on South Asia is going on:
Added to the list of research environments at Swedish universities, presented by SASNET. The full list now includes more than 80 departments. Go to the presentation page, http://www.sasnet.lu.se/environment.html.
‡ Section of Human Ecology; Department for Interdisciplinary Studies of Human Conditions, Göteborg University
‡ Institute of Medical Microbiology/Immunology at Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University
‡ School of Social Work, Lund University
‡ Dept of Theology and Religious Studies; Missiology with Ecumenical Theology, Lund University
‡ Dept of Theology and Religious Studies; New Testament Exegesis, Lund University
‡ Comparative Literature, School of Humanities, Växjö University
• Several new articles recommended for reading
Look at http://www.sasnet.lu.se/recreading.html for suggestions on interesting new articles on South Asia in International media. Many new items added, especially on Pakistan, India, and Nepal.
• SASNET’s link pages to universities and other research institutions expand all the time
• South Asia related academic institutions around the World are found at http://www.sasnet.lu.se/links.html
• Major universities in South Asia are found at http://www.sasnet.lu.se/university.html
• Other research institutions in South Asia are found at http://www.sasnet.lu.se/sciencesouth.html
Cultural Events connected to South Asia in Scandinavia
• South Asian films at Göteborg Film Festival 2003
Göteborg Film Festival 2003, starting on Thursday 23 January (and lasting to Sunday 3 February), will show at least three films connected to South Asia. The three films are ”Pickpocket”, directed by Linton Semage from Sri Lanka; ”Bollywood/Hollywood” by Indo-Canadian director Deepa Mehta; and ”Devdas” (based on a novel by Saratchandra Chatterjee), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali (photo to the right).
More information on the film festival.
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| Red Hours – Yellow Air, painting by Jitish Kallat |
• Exhibition of Modern Indian art at Henie Onstad Kunstcenter in Oslo
”The Tree from the Seed”, an exhibition of Modern Indian Art, will be on display at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Høvikodden, Bærum kommune, 15 km outside Oslo, Norway, from 31 January to 27 April, 2003. The exhibition, which includes works by the artists Atul Dodiya, Anita Dube, Subba Ghosh, Suboth Gupta, Reena Saini Kallat, Jitish Kallat, Bharti Kher, Sonia Khurana, Surrendran Nair, Rehka Rodwittiya, Sharmila Samant and Hema Updahyay, is curated by Gavin Jantjes, the artistic director of Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, and advised by Alka Pande, Director of the India Habitat Centre Art Gallery in New Delhi, Peter Nagy a free lance curator in Delhi, and the internationally renowned cultural critic Geeta Kapoor. Many of the participating artists will be present at the exhibition's opening and will participate in a one day conference on Saturday 1 February, 10.30 (tickets essential).
”The Tree from the Seed” – the name borrowed from an essay by Rabindranath Tagore will hopefully be shown at other places in Scandinavia after the exhibition ends at Oslo.
Best regards
Staffan Lindberg Lars Eklund
SASNET/ Swedish South Asian Studies Network
SASNET is a national network for research, education, and information about South Asia, based at Lund University. The aim is to encourage and promote an open and dynamic networking process, in which Swedish researchers co-operate with researchers in South Asia and globally.
The network is open to all sciences. Priority is given to co-operation between disciplines and across faculties, as well as institutions in the Nordic countries and in South Asia. The basic idea is that South Asian studies will be most fruitfully pursued in co-operation between researchers, working in different institutions with a solid base in their mother disciplines.
The network is financed by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and by Lund University.Postal address: SASNET – Swedish South Asian Studies Network, International Office,
Lund University, P O Box 117, S-221 00 Lund
Visiting address: Gamla Kirurgen, Sandgatan 3, first floor, room no. 230
Phone: + 46 46 222 73 40
Fax: + 46 46 222 96 65
E-mail: sasnet@sasnet.lu.se
Web site: http://www.sasnet.lu.seStaff: Staffan Lindberg, director/co-ordinator &
Lars Eklund, webmaster/programme secretary
