OROMO STUDIES ASSOCIATION
2016 MIDYEAR CONFERENCE
LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (LSE), LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM
APRIL 2-3, 2016
CALL FOR PAPERS
THEME: The Oromo in the Global Political Economy
The Oromo Studies Association invites paper abstracts and panel proposals for its 2016
midyear conference to be held at the London School of Economics (LSE) in collaboration
with the LSE Africa Initiative.
The conference provides a platform for examining major changes, challenges and opportunities
that impact the Oromo via the global political economy. The theme sets a broader context in
which to examine the power dynamics and major actors and beneficiaries of global political
economy in Ethiopia. We are also interested to examine how these dynamics and actors inform
the questions of economic and political justice, history, law, leadership, and environmental
challenges. Global trade, finance, and geopolitical interests over the last few decades seem to
have shaped both inter-state relations and regional political economy. From the Oromo
perspective, these subjects are critical to the process of mapping knowledge across multiple
disciplines with a view to seeking direct global alliances and partnerships.
Research papers are sought for this midyear conference that builds on existing scholarship and
research generated within Oromo Studies. Panels and papers should concentrate on a deeper
understanding of structures, trends, theoretical and analytical tools that explore pressing issues
in global political economy on multiple levels related to the Oromo in Ethiopia.
The event presents an opportunity to explore unique and exciting themes that will broaden
understanding of the Oromo nation through research and dissemination of findings globally.
With such a diverse range of interest focusing on the Oromo in global political economy, the
famous London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) presents an excellent ideal
academic environment for OSA’s midyear conference.
Please submit an abstract no more than 200 words proposing a paper or panel. Themes of the
conference include:
 The place of the Oromo in the geopolitics of the Horn;
 Federalism; Oromo land and property security: natural resource ownership;
 Economic justice, state/party-capitalism and conglomerates in Ethiopia;
 The ‘developmental state, constitution and constitutionalism
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China-Africa Trade Policy and Implication for the Oromo
Global events/turning points in modern history & the Oromo, 1935/36, 1974, 1991)
Imperial Ethiopia, local alliances and global connections;
Finfinnee, Oromo hinterlands and the fate of Oromo national identity;
Climate change and its impact on ecological health, sustainable development,
renewable energy in Oromia;
Historical wrongs and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation;
Regional networks, alliances & political projects: the Oromo & the rest of the South
Ethiopia’s counter-archives: narrative, memory, history
The identity/alterity nexus in the Oromo-Ethiopia dualism
The politics of othering and the othering of politics
The next chapter in the political economy of Oromia and Ethiopia
Other topics related to the conference theme are welcome…
We look forward to papers addressing the various themes based on empirical data and
research findings that will sharpen the values and perspectives of Oromo studies and
scholarship. Specifically, we encourage papers from Oromia/Ethiopia.
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ABSTRACT DEADLINE:
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Please submit abstracts of no more than 200 words on or before November 30,
2015 by midnight (US Eastern Standard Time) using the OSA online submission
form prepared for this purpose. Please follow this link to submit your abstract.
Preference will be given to early submissions
OSA will inform you the decision on whether your abstract has been accepted no
later than December 15, 2015.
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DEADLINE FOR PAPER SUBMISSION:
o A draft paper of no more than 8000 words will be due by March 20, 2016
(Midnight US Eastern Time).
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ENQUIRY: If you have any question about the conference, please send an email to
Henok G. Gabisa, President of Oromo Studies Association at [email protected]
or [email protected]
HOPING TO SEE YOU IN LONDON, APRIL 2-3, 2016
Respectfully,
OSA Website: www.oromostudies.org
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