All India Young Social Scientists Workshop at Tezpur University
Last Date :: 10th & 11th October 2011

All India Young Social Scientists Workshop
October 10th & 11th 2011
Tezpur University, Assam
Theme: Emerging Trends in Social Science Research
&
Methodological Challenges

Date & Venue
o Date : 10th & 11th October 2011
o Venue : Tezpur University, Assam
o Registration : 8:30 am to 9:30 am
o Inaugural : 9:30 am

Background

Ambivalent complexities emerging in social science research in India call for a review of the state of the art that goes beyond the conventional social science disciplinary boundaries. In a global knowledge society; often these boundaries become vague and overlap each other, necessitating the integration of diverse knowledge systems. There are areas of specialisations in every discipline, which are often the amalgamations of different disciplines. This leads to the emergence of 'Multiplicity of Paradigms' across the intra-/interdisciplinary boundaries. In the midst of these 'complexity of paradigms', the social science research continues to look for inspiration from classics, in its conceptualisation and operationalisation.

However, the rise and fall of different paradigms, theories and methodological approaches are influenced by the changing context of socioeconomic, political and cultural conditions. India today is at crossroad with diversified changes in all its socio-structural conditions, which calls for multitude of interactions within and across the geographical and disciplinary boundaries. This in turn demands for a change in the nature of conceptualisation, methods and scale of analysis in social science research.

Apart from the conceptual issues the workshop aims to address the emerging debates on 'triangulation' and sophistication of tools of data collection and analysis. The debate on quantitative and qualitative methodology has generated an understanding across social scientists that both contribute substantially to our understanding of the social reality and that their benefits are enhanced when used in combination. Further the debates in the past few decades have witnessed dramatic changes with the sophistication of data collection and analysis techniques aided by myriad of computer softwares. Accompanying these techniques is the growing interest among social scientists in explanation and a focus on empirical evidence as the test of theoretical propositions.

Simultaneously, others promote the narrative interpretation of texts and the rejection of the burden of proof in favour of deconstruction of texts and engagement in hermeneutic discourse. However, there are efforts to integrate them based on triangulation methods. The workshop intends to address all these conceptual and methodological issues in contemporary social science research.

The Context

The epistemological position of young social scientists as scholars who have not yet become 'attached' to certain sets of theories, concepts and methodology put them in advantageous position to outline the emerging trends in social sciences research in India. Moreover, the young social scientists may find it more productive to discuss their novel ideas in a more open-minded workshop environment with others who have not yet adhered to any epistemological positions.

This workshop will also try to track the diverse disciplinary orientations and to engage in a national level dialogue on regional specificities and commonalities. This orientation will provide a forum for promising young scholars to engage in a national dialogue at an early stage in their career. This is important as the experience will help to shape the orientation of their research career to be innovative and go beyond conventional boundaries. In turn, this workshop hopes to train the next generation of scholars by widening their perspectives.

Target groups

The programme is intended to understand emerging trends in social science research in India and therefore as discussed above the young social scientists across the country will be the target group of this workshop. Owing to the practical concern of a workshop, the young social scientists are limited to the research scholars and young faculties in any social science discipline.

Objectives

The primary objective of this workshop is to understand the emerging trends and methodological challenges in social science research in India. The specific objectives of the programme are:
* To review the emerging areas of social science research in India.
* To review the emerging and existing theoretical orientations and 'paradigms' in social science research in India.
* To understand the methodological challenges associated with the social science 'knowledge production' in the contemporary social context.
* To provide a platform for young social scientists to network among themselves for future engagements.

Sub Themes

A. Emerging areas of social science research in India
B. Classics and Contemporary Research
C. Emerging Paradigms: Existence of Multiple

Paradigms

D. Emerging Methodological Challenges

a. Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
–Triangulation

b. Sophisticated Data Collection Methods and Analysis

Expected Outcome of the Workshop

The workshop can outline the 'emerging social science research trends and methodological debates' in contemporary India. This understanding may illuminate future direction of social science research in India. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the young social scientists to exchange and share their experiences as social practitioners. More importantly, the workshop may be a platform to mobilise themselves and to put their scientific knowledge into actual social practice.

Call for Participation

Social science researchers who are below 35 years of age as on 1st June 2011 are eligible to participate in this workshop. They are requested to send a synopsis of their current research in 2000 w o r d s t o t h e f o l l o w i n g ma i l i d
aiyssw2011(at)gmail(dot)com
on or before August 15, 2011
along with the duly filled workshop registration form and proof of age.

Participants can also send the same in hardcopy to the organizing secretary. The synopsis should focus on the significance of the problem and associated methodological challenges & innovations. A committee will review the synopsis. After the scrutiny, confirmation of acceptance shall be communicated through email on August 17, 2011. Accepted synopsis will be published as workshop proceedings.

Guidelines for submission of Synopsis

Follow the mentioned order when typing manuscript:
Title, Authors, Affiliation, Abstract, Keywords, Main text and References.
* Font - Times New Roman, 12 point
* Line space – 1.5
* All heading including title should be 14
* Margins must be of '1' inch on all sides
* Content should be in English and typed in Microsoft Word application

Important Dates

Submission of Synopsis 15th August 2011
Confirmation of Acceptance 17th August 2011

Travel support

Travel support will be provided to the selected 50 scholars from North East India by road or rail upto 3 A.C. Another 50 selected scholars from outside North East india will be provided 3 A.C. train fares up to Guwahati. To claim TA, delegates are suggested to retain used tickets for verification.

Local Hospitality

Local hospitality of all the delegates will be taken care. Boarding and lodging facilities will be made available for all the days during the workshop. Lodging will be in twin sharing basis.

Venue of the Workshop

Tezpur University was established by an act of Parliament (Act. No. 45, 1993) in 1994. It is a unitary type Central University located in a scenic rural setting, 15 km away from the historic town of Tezpur the head quarter of Sonitpur District of Assam. Tezpur is considered to be the cultural capital of Assam and is connected with many places of interest in North East. Tezpur has a pleasant weather during mid October ranging between 21° - 29° C. There is a tri-weekly (Mon- Wed-Fri) flight service between Kolkata and Tezpur. However, Guwahati (which is 180 km form Tezpur) is connected to all parts of the country through air and also the nearest railway station. Taxies as well as public and private buses are available from Guwahati to Tezpur (for more det a i l s , f o l l o w t h e l i n k :
http://www.tezu.ernet.in/visitor/site.htm).

For further information, contact :
Dr. Sumesh S.S,
Organising Secretary,
Department of Sociology,
Tezpur University,
Napaam, Assam – 784 028.
E-Mail : [email protected] / [email protected]

ORGANISERS

INDIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH (ICSSR), NEW DELHI.
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (RGNIYD), CHENNAI.
INDIAN SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY (ISS), NEW DELHI.
&
TEZPUR UNIVESITY, ASSAM.

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