First Call For Proposals

Discussions of existing global policy paradigms, and globalization more generally, have been making strong and significant shifts in our understanding, for the last ten years. New influences on our global system are emerging, and historic power structures are under revitalized analysis, some eventually reconsidered, reduced or removed from deliberation. And recent global crises have invigorated researchers to ask new questions, while revealing enormous inconsistencies and changeability in the foundations of existing policy paradigms. There is an expanding spotlight on both past and present changes to the global system, including global economic trends, population movement, information sharing, governance structures, and global health systems. What new governance opportunities are revealed when we explore these foundational changes? Is there a role for uncertainty and alternatives in our global paradigm? What is it possible to know about the global dimensions of policy? Are we witnessing a new paradigm of global policy building? What are the theoretical implications of these changes for global policy influence on local or domestic politics?

“Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy 10: Building Beyond Uncertainty,” McMaster University’s tenth annual Graduate Conference, invites interventions speaking to all questions raised at the intersections of globalization and policy studies. We welcome graduate students from all disciplines to submit proposals for a paper or poster presentation addressing any aspect of public policy that has a global dimension. This includes, but is not limited to, the disciplines of Political Science, International Development Studies, Sociology, Cultural Studies, History, Business, Geography, Law, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Labour Studies, Health Studies, and Philosophy.

The conference will be held virtually from March 11-13, 2021, hosted by the Department of Political Science at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, and our partners.

The conference will be held
virtually March 11-13, 2021
hosted by McMaster University,
Hamilton, Ontario.

Panels will be organized to group similar papers providing critical analysis on topics such as Migration, Health and Social Policy, Indigeneity, Economic Policy (including Finance and Trade), International Development Policy and Practice, Postcolonial, Decolonial and Feminist Politics, Social Movements, Labour issues, North-South Relations, the Environment, Infrastructure, Security, Austerity and Neoliberalism, International Organizations and Higher Education. To see an example of previous panels, check out last year’s program here.

The conference draws upon McMaster’s expertise in the field of international and comparative public policy, to unpack the global dimensions of policy and bridge the gap between international relations, international political economy, and public policy.

To apply, please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words along with 2-3 keywords (e.g. ‘health policy,’ ‘climate change,’ ‘international law,’ etc.). Abstracts should include a title and details of the argument to be developed, the method of analysis to be used, types of evidence to be presented, the paper’s contribution to the literature or this year’s theme, and may include the style of presentation to be given.

Please submit abstracts at the following link.

Deadline for proposals: November 30, 2020

The conference is open to Masters and PhD students. It provides the ideal setting to connect with fellow students and faculty in their research area, which can help foster networks and ongoing collaborations. Each participant will also receive in-depth feedback from a faculty discussant on their written papers. The conference also includes a professional development workshop designed specifically for graduate students interested in the academic and non-academic job markets.

For further information, please check out the conference website. If you have any questions, please send an email to globalization.conference@gmail.com