Call for Abstracts: 26th JCPA and ICPA-Forum Workshop

Workshop Dates: November 8 & 9, 2024

Host Institution:

Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP), Binghamton University, New York, USA

Important Dates:

Abstract Submission (500 words): June 1, 2024

Please submit abstract to: sappe@albany.edu

Acceptance Confirmation: June 10, 2024

Final Paper Submission: September 15, 2024

TOPIC:

The study and practice of prevention of atrocities against any group of people emphasizes a three-point continuum spanning the periods of the upstream (before conflict), midstream (response and mitigation) and downstream (post-conflict rebuilding). Notwithstanding, a great deal of public and political attention is focused only on responding to atrocities that are already underway (midstream prevention), rather than developing upstream and downstream policies that prevent crisis from erupting in the first place. Upstream prevention—that is, true prevention—involves identifying the risk factors that we know to be associated with atrocity violence and developing policy responses to mitigate those risks. It is in this upstream phase where policymakers and public administrators have the greatest capacity to interrupt the processes that can lead to large-scale, identity-based violence. Likewise, downstream prevention involves the provision of redress for victims of past violence and the development of policies and institutions that respond to the structural realities that allowed those past atrocities to occur. Both, upstream and downstream policies for early prevention present the most room for maneuver and are inevitably less costly, in all respects, than policies developed to respond to ongoing atrocities.

This workshop is based on the understanding that atrocity prevention is traditionally constrained by several factors, including but not limited to:

1.  the challenge of documenting prevention successes (that is, when violence is averted);

2.  failures to recognize and respond to early warning signs of identity-based violence, particularly those close to home;

3.  research that is siloed within individual academic disciplines;

4.  disproportionate attention on early warning at the expense of early response;

5.  overreliance on midstream responses amid violence and downstream actions in post-conflict settings rather than upstream prevention; and

6.  widespread use of case studies and the absence of systematic and rigorous comparative analyses.

We welcome theoretical and empirical papers that address one or more of the six challenges identified above using systematic and rigorous comparative analysis as identified by the JCPA Aims and Scope as criteria. We are particularly interested in submissions that explicitly apply comparative methodologies to examine: the relationships between governmental, civil society, business and/or academic institutions in atrocity prevention; novel approaches to atrocity prevention; attention to race-based atrocities; the use of transitional justice, both juridical and non-juridical.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• An honorarium of $500.00 will be extended to the lead author of each presented paper and provided by check at the workshop. It is intended to apply toward travel expenses.
• Two nights lodging for the lead author for each paper selected.
• Breakfast will be provided for the two days of the workshop for all registered participants.
• Lunches will be provided for the two days of the workshop for all registered participants.
• First evening: Reception sponsored by JCPA, Society for ICPA and Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group for all registered participants.
• Second evening: Closing dinner sponsored by the hosting institution; meals and wine provided for all registered participants.
• Note: For papers with multiple authors, all authors are invited and encouraged to attend and fully participate in the workshop and will be supported by the host institution at a reduced level. Those who register in advance will be included in the group meals and reception at no cost, but they will be responsible for their own travel and lodging. The lead author may choose to share the honoraria or the hotel accommodations, however the host institution will offer one check and only one complimentary hotel room per accepted paper.
• International participants will be responsible for securing visas at their own expense. Support may be available to authors from the Global South upon request.

WORKSHOP FEE: for all participants presenters and other attendees

Students: $56

Faculty of institutional members of the JCPA and Society for ICPA in good standing: $66

Other participants: $76

The fee includes membership in the Society for ICPA and all related benefits, as well as a FREE annual subscription to the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis.

For any questions, contact: Susan Appe at sappe@albany.edu