As you may recall, the LLM Section and the Chinese Association of Work and Labor (CAWL) have had a scholarly exchange dating back to 2012. A group of us, in consultation with LLM leadership, have been planning a US-based conference as the next step in this exchange. Over 2015, we have come up with a plan—still working out details, but we wanted to let you know, especially before ASA 2015.
WHEN AND WHERE: ASA 2016 Seattle. One-day miniconference on Friday 8/19, the day before the first day of ASA (which is also the LLM day).
WHO: LLM, a delegation of Chinese sociologists from CAWL, SSSP, Critical Sociology, Global Labour Journal/Int’l Sociological Association Section RC44 (Labor Movements), plus a bunch of other ASA sections as cosponsors: Asia/Asian Am, Collective Behavior/Social Movements, Inequality/Poverty/Mobility, OOW, and PEWS. Also a number of local Seattle cosponsors, including activist groups.
THEME: Still refining, but tentative working title "Labor Precarity, Resistance, and Consent: The US, China, and around the World.” The idea is to keep it fairly broad while signaling some key areas of interest and the fact that the US and China will be a particular focus. A call will go out.
PUBLICATION PLANS: A number of journals are interested in special issues coming out of the miniconference. Still in discussion, but we can be pretty confident that there will be some opportunities for publication.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Seek out one of the planning group at ASA 2015 to find out more or share thoughts. Members of the planning group who will be at ASA include: David Fasenfest, Jasmine Kerrissey, Jennie Romich, Chris Rhomberg, Brian Serafini, David Smith (of UCI), Chris Tilly, Lu Zhang (apologies if I have left anybody out).
- If you have reactions, suggestions, or especially if you want to help, drop me a note at [email protected] . (At the risk of sounding grouchy, I’d rather not offer to answer any and all questions…we are still figuring things out and will have more to say in coming months.) We are forming working groups and will have more information on ways to help soon.
- WATCH THIS SPACE. We expect to send at least one more update, and then the call.
- Respond to the call for papers when it comes out.
- Attend the conference at ASA 2016 Seattle!
Best,
Chris Tilly