Societal Transformations and Global Challenges in Central Asia
International Conference Organized by NORCA – Nordic Central Asian Studies Research Environment, Department of Sociology of Law, Lund University, Sweden
December 14-16, 2026, Lund, Sweden
REGISTRATION - https://registrationform.notion.site/36f97d142d0980999ccfff74d1730af8?pvs=105
Conference Overview
NORCA – Nordic Central Asian Studies Research Environment at Lund University invites scholars, researchers, analysts, practitioners, policymakers, doctoral researchers, and early-career scholars to submit paper and panel proposals for the international conference:
Societal Transformations and Global Challenges in Central Asia
The conference aims to explore contemporary transformations in Central Asia from interdisciplinary, comparative, and global perspectives. Central Asia has become an increasingly important region for understanding the intersections of governance, migration, legal reform, informality, geopolitical change, environmental transformation, digitalization, and social change in a rapidly evolving global order.
The conference seeks to bring together Nordic, European, Central Asian, and international scholars working across disciplines and methodological traditions. We particularly welcome contributions that critically engage with non-Western perspectives, interdisciplinary approaches, and comparative frameworks for understanding societal transformation in Central Asia.
The conference is open to researchers from all disciplinary backgrounds, including sociology, anthropology, political science, law, economics, migration studies, geography, development studies, history, environmental studies, gender studies, international relations, and related fields.
The conference will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation.
Conference Themes and Topics
We welcome papers, panels, roundtables, and workshops addressing (but not limited to) the following themes:
1. Governance, Law, and Political Transformation
- State-society relations in Central Asia
- Legal reform and legal pluralism
- Rule of law and governance
- Authoritarianism and political legitimacy
- Public administration reforms
- Informal institutions and everyday governance
- Decentralization and local governance
- Comparative governance perspectives
2. Corruption, Informality, and Social Norms
- Corruption and anti-corruption reforms
- Informal economies and shadow markets
- Legal culture and social norms
- Public procurement and accountability
- Trust, legitimacy, and compliance
- Corruption in education and healthcare
- Informal labour and employment
- Digitalization and anti-corruption initiatives
3. Migration, Mobility, and Diasporas
- Labour migration and remittances
- Migration governance
- Eurasian mobility regimes
- Gender and migration
- Diaspora politics and transnationalism
- Borders, citizenship, and belonging
- Refugees and forced migration
- Migration and social change
4. Climate Change, Environment, and Sustainability
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Water governance and resource conflicts
- Environmental justice
- Energy transitions and extractivism
- Sustainable development
- Rural transformation and agriculture
- Climate migration
- Environmental governance in authoritarian contexts
5. Digitalization, AI, and Technological Change
- Digital governance and e-government
- Artificial intelligence and public administration
- Digital authoritarianism and surveillance
- Social media and political mobilization
- Platform economies
- Cyber governance and security
- Digital inequality
- Technology and social transformation
6. Gender, Identity, and Social Change
- Gender and law
- Feminist perspectives on Central Asia
- Masculinities and social norms
- Youth cultures and generational change
- Religion and identity politics
- Family transformations
- Gendered migration and labour
7. Political Economy and Development
- Political economy of reform
- Entrepreneurship and business environments
- Foreign investment and development
- Chinese investments and the Belt and Road Initiative
- Infrastructure and regional connectivity
- Informal business practices
- Economic inequalities
- Development and global governance
8. International Relations and Geopolitics
- Central Asia in the changing global order
- Russia, China, the EU, and Central Asia
- Regional organizations and cooperation
- Security and geopolitical competition
- Sanctions and economic restructuring
- International norms and norm diffusion
- Global governance and regional responses
9. Methodological and Ethical Approaches to Central Asian Research
- Fieldwork in authoritarian contexts
- Research ethics and positionality
- Decolonial methodologies
- Comparative and interdisciplinary methods
- Digital methods and AI-assisted research
- Mixed-methods approaches
- Visual sociology and ethnography
- Network analysis and institutional research
Special Conference Formats
The conference welcomes:
- Individual paper presentations
- Full panel proposals
- Roundtables
- Book discussions
- Policy dialogues
- Methods workshops
- PhD and early-career researcher sessions
The organizing committee particularly encourages proposals for interdisciplinary panels, comparative perspectives, policy-oriented discussions, and innovative methodological approaches.
Certificates
All conference participants will receive an official Certificate of Participation/Attendance issued by NORCA.
Pre-Conference PhD and Early-Career Researcher Training Workshop, December 8-13, 2026
How to Publish Articles in Scopus-Indexed Journals: Strategies, Challenges, and Practical Guidance
As part of the conference, NORCA will organize a special pre-conference training workshop designed for PhD students, early-career researchers, junior faculty members, and advanced MA students pursuing academic careers. The NORCA workshop aims to provide a supportive and interactive environment where participants can strengthen their academic publishing skills, receive professional feedback, and develop international research networks.
The workshop focuses particularly on the challenges and opportunities faced by scholars working on Central Asia and other non-Western contexts in publishing research internationally. It aims to support participants in navigating academic publishing processes, improving research design and writing strategies, and increasing international research visibility.
The workshop will combine lectures, interactive discussions, mentoring sessions, peer exchange, and practical guidance led by experienced scholars, journal editors, and internationally published researchers.
Workshop Structure
The pre-conference workshop will consist of several interactive sessions, which may include:
Session 1: Developing Strong Academic Research
- Formulating research questions and arguments
- Structuring high-quality journal articles
- Literature reviews and theoretical framing
- Methodological transparency and academic rigor
- Comparative and interdisciplinary research design
Session 2: Publishing in International Journals
- Identifying suitable Scopus-indexed journals
- Understanding peer-review and editorial processes
- Common reasons for article rejection
- Responding effectively to reviewers’ comments
- Publishing from PhD dissertations and research projects
- Strategies for publishing qualitative and interdisciplinary research
Session 3: Academic Career Development and Research Visibility
- Academic visibility and citation strategies
- Building international research collaborations
- Co-authorship and networking strategies
- Ethical issues in academic publishing
- AI tools and academic writing: opportunities and limitations
- Publishing strategies for scholars from non-Western contexts
- Approaches to publishing in Q1/Q2 journals
Interactive and Mentoring Components
The workshop will emphasize active participation and collegial exchange. Participants may have opportunities to:
- Present research ideas or draft articles
- Receive feedback from senior scholars and peers
- Discuss publication plans and journal strategies
- Participate in small-group mentoring discussions
- Build international academic networks with other participants
The workshop is intended not only as a training activity but also as a professional development and networking platform for emerging scholars working on Central Asia and related regions.
Eligibility
The workshop is open to:
- PhD students
- Early-career researchers
- Junior faculty members
- MA students planning academic careers
Priority may be given to conference participants and applicants working on Central Asia-related topics.
Certificates
Participants who successfully complete the workshop will receive an official NORCA Pre-Conference Training Workshop Certificate in addition to the conference certificate of participation.
Submission Guidelines
Individual Paper Proposals
Please submit:
- Title of paper
- Abstract (250–300 words)
- 3–5 keywords
- Short biography (100 words)
- Institutional affiliation
Panel Proposals
Please submit:
- Panel title
- Panel abstract (300 words)
- List of participants and paper titles
- Chair and discussant (if applicable)
Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: August 31, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: September 15, 2026
- Registration deadline: October 15, 2026
- Pre-conference workshop: December 8-13, 2026
- Conference dates: December 14-16, 2026
Conference Format
The conference will take place in a hybrid format:
- In-person participation at Lund University, Sweden
- Online participation via Zoom
Publication Opportunities
Selected papers may be considered for:
- Edited volumes
- Journal special issues
- Policy briefs
- NORCA working paper series
Further information regarding publication opportunities will be announced during the conference.
Registration Fees
To support broad international participation while ensuring accessibility for scholars from Central Asia and other lower- and middle-income contexts, NORCA applies a differentiated registration fee structure.
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
Participants from Nordic countries, Western Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and South Korea
| 450 EUR |
Participants from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, the Balkans, and other lower-/middle-income countries
| 350 EUR |
PhD students and MA students
| 300 EUR |
| Online participation | 200 EUR |
Pre-Conference Training Workshop Fee
Participation in the pre-conference training workshop “How to Publish Articles in Scopus-Indexed Journals: Strategies, Challenges, and Practical Guidance" requires an additional registration fee:
| Workshop Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| PhD students and early-career researchers | 600 EUR |
What the Conference Registration Fee Includes
- Access to all conference panels and keynote sessions
- Conference materials and certificate of participation
- Coffee breaks and light refreshments
- Participation in networking sessions
- Access to the hybrid conference platform
The pre-conference workshop fee additionally includes participation in all workshop sessions, mentoring and feedback activities, workshop materials, and a separate workshop certificate.
Organizers
NORCA – Nordic Central Asian Studies Research Environment: www.norca.lu.se
Department of Sociology of Law
Lund University, Sweden
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding submissions, panels, workshops, or conference participation, please contact:
NORCA Conference Organizing Committee
Lund University, Sweden
REGISTRATION - https://registrationform.notion.site/36f97d142d0980999ccfff74d1730af8?pvs=105
Email: albina [dot] aidarkhankyzy [at] soclaw [dot] lu [dot] se (albina[dot]aidarkhankyzy[at]soclaw[dot]lu[dot]se)