The last decade in the Middle East and Central Asia has seen both dramatic change and relative continuity. The recent series of revolutionary movements and changes in the region have provided a challenge to scholars seeking to explain both their emergence and likely consequences. While some dictatorial regimes have crumbled, others have withstood the deluge, and the success or failure of the nascent post-revolutionary structures remains uncertain. Under these circumstances, it is important to examine the extent to which the region has changed in the last decade, and to come to terms with the potential challenges and opportunities of the future of the Middle East and Central Asia.

This period of fluidity and indeterminacy is an opportunity for graduate scholars and early career researchers to provide fresh insights into current and recent events, and to reshape the established orthodoxies of their disciplines and traditional approaches to studying the Middle East and Central Asia.

For this reason, the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (The Middle East and Central Asia)  convened a postgraduate conference for local graduate students and early career researchers based in Australia. The two day interdisciplinary conference offered an opportunity for emerging scholars to present new ideas and analysis on the region, and potentially to have their work published in peer reviewed outlets. The conference was opened by former Prime Minister The Hon. Kevin Rudd, pictured here with CAIS Director Prof. Amin Saikal and the conference organising commitee.

Publication of proceedings

Conference papers will be submitted for anonymous peer review by prominent academics in the field in line with HERDC guidelines. If it is possible -  a selection of the best papers will be published in an edited volume.

Please email any queries to the Conference Convenor.