Formats: panels, roundtables, laboratories

This conference has panels in various formats:

• Panels are structured in the traditional manner of four papers per session. Ideally we’d like to limit panels to a maximum of two consecutive 90-minute sessions, each of which can include a maximum of 4 papers/presentations (so 8 papers all together). However, if a panel receives twice the number of proposals, or more (so above 16 proposals), additional sessions may be allowed at the discretion of the Scientific Committee. No panel can run for more than four sessions, though.
• Roundtables in which a group of scholars (no more than 5) discuss particular themes/issues in front of (and subsequently with) an audience. While a roundtable can include short (5-10 min) provocations/presentations, the main idea is to create a lively debate, not to focus on any one presenter. Roundtables will be limited to one 90-minute session.
• Laboratories are characterised by experimentation, collaboration, interaction or improvisation, bringing the focus to research methods, the ethnographic process and the mode of expression in presenting results. Rather than exhibiting already finished work, the aim of laboratories is to organise collective research activities that are open-ended and cultivate possibilities for surprise, novelty and learning. Laboratories will be designed as interactive, reflexive sessions that prioritise exploration, rather than the discussion of already established research results. They can be used to tackle practical problems, to re-evaluate concepts, to find new theoretical and political directions, or to understand emergent cultural dynamics. Whether concerned with possibilities and limitations in current anthropological practice, or with cultural and political problematics in an unequal world, labs can provide space for addressing any themes in creative, interactive, and open-ended fashion.

Conference format and timetable

The conference will run for four days, with Day one slightly shorter than the three following days. The Firth lecture/Keynote will take place on the opening day, but there will be a plenary event on each following day. All keynotes/plenaries will address the conference theme.

ASA2023 is intended to be a fully face-to-face (f2f) conference, albeit with the exceptional possibility for a few panels to take place fully online. i.e. there will be no hybrid panels.

Useful information for later in the process for Authors

Editing your paper

Paper authors can use the login link in the toolbar above to edit their proposals.

Pre-circulation of papers

ASA has no rule about this, but many convenors are keen to pre-circulate completed papers. To facilitate this and save on email traffic, if requested by convenors, authors can upload PDFs of their papers within the online system, which will then show as downloadable files beneath the abstract on the public panel page on the site. There is currently no option to restrict this to panelists/delegates (although this feature is in the development pipeline).

Timing of presentations

Each panel/workshop session slot will be 90 minutes long, accommodating a maximum of four presenters. Convenors should allot each presenter a maximum of 15 +5 mins for panels of four papers.

Timing of presentations

Convenor/author email addresses are not shown on the panel pages for privacy/anti-spam reasons. However there is an in-built secure email messaging system which has been updated to give more reliable delivery. If you cannot work that, please email conference(at)theasa.org to obtain relevant email addresses.

Any queries with the above please email conference(at)theasa.org.

Accessibility guidelines

Capacities for vision, hearing and sustained interaction in large crowds vary between people, and wax and wane for each of us from hour to hour and over the course of our lives. Conference participants are encouraged to follow these common accessibility guidelines, so as to make their presentation and other activities within the conference as accessible as possible.

Besides ensuring all colleagues are equally supported in their desire to participate, maximizing the accessibility of presentations and discussions helps reach a wider academic audience.

Recognising the diversity of experiences, we accept that you may need to interpret/ignore these guidelines, in interest of your own health.

On-site accessibility, best practicies for delegates, convenors and presenters - read more here.

Anti-harassment policy and how to report harassment

NomadIT and its clients are committed to providing a harassment- discrimination-free conference experience for everyone. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviours of conference participants in any form, whether in person or online. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Discrimination against or harassment on the basis of an individual’s gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, physical appearance, body size, age, religion, socio-economic status, birthplace or any other aspect of an individual’s identity.
• Intimidation, stalking, abusive or threatening behaviour, or bullying.
• Attacks against participants who raise behaviour concerns.

We provide confidential reporting mechanisms and all reports will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.

This policy outlines our expectations of all those participating in the online conference, including delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, conference organisers etc. In particular, those people presenting a paper, convening, or exhibitors should not use sexualized, indecent or offensive language, images or activities. If such language images or activities are deemed to be an essential part of, and strictly related to, the content of the conference, the context and justification for their use must be made explicit.

Read more on policy and guidelines here.