First call for papers for FIVE sessions

1.Fire in the belly: Connecting the dots in natural disaster resilience

Session convenor: Dr Christine Eriksen, University of Wollongong

Australia is but one of many countries who have faced extreme challenges from natural disasters during the 21st Century. 2011 was no exception with floods, cyclones, and bushfires challenging communities and emergency services far and wide. The ability of individuals and organisations to respond to and recover from such natural disasters depends on how they perceive, engagement with, and prepared for the risk. Preparation allows individuals living at risk, or owning assets that are at risk, to adapt to the risk that natural disaster pose to their lives, assets and lifestyles. However, research and experience shows that many people living in at-risk locations remain underprepared. Owing to the fact that natural disasters are a community threat (i.e. not just a threat to individual households) the influence of other community members can play a significant role in how people perceive, engage and prepare. Disaster management agencies are also members of such community networks. Communities that possess an awareness of a given natural disaster, a collective knowledge about how to address that threat, and an interest in sharing the burden of preparing their communities, exhibit a higher level of natural disaster resilience. It increases their capacity to understand and address the uncertainty and challenging nature of such events.

The aim of this session is to examine the powerful sense of ambition and determination at the crux of natural disaster resilience. To do so, presenters are encouraged to highlight connections between, for example, people and place, people and risk engagement, media and risk perceptions, society and natural environments, society and natural disasters, awareness and action, gender and adaptation strategies, gender and vulnerability, climate change and natural disaster, education and engagement, etc.

To submit an abstract to this themed session:
a) E-mail an abstract of no more than 250 words to ceriksen@uow.edu.au by 30 March 2012 AND
b) Submit the abstract online, ticking the title of the session for which you wish to be considered: www.iag2012.com.au

Deadline for submission: 30 March 2012.

2.The evolution of 'Patchwork' regional economies

Session convenor: Dr Meg Sherval, University of Newcastle

The fortunes of regional economies in Australia are mixed. Some are benefitting from the minerals boom, while others continue to face a slow demographic decline. This session looks at the diverse ways regions are negotiating the challenging impacts of change - socially, culturally and economically.

The aim of this session is to examine regional change through its many guises. While much of this is captured by the Post - Productivist Transition or ‘Multifunctionality’, we are interested in place-specific stories which illuminate local or international experiences.

To submit an abstract to this themed session:
a) E-mail an abstract of no more than 250 words to meg.sherval@newcastle.edu.au by 30 March 2012 AND
b) Submit the abstract online, ticking the title of the session for which you wish to be considered: www.iag2012.com.au

Deadline for submission: 30 March 2012.

3. The Year of the Farmer - recognition or tokenism?

Session convenor: Dr Meg Sherval, University of Newcastle

Agricultural producers face an uncertain future as governments hand over more productive land to mining and gas operations and consumer -giants like Coles and Woolworths compete to slash prices on vital foodstuffs. Under these conditions, can farming still be said to be a viable occupation and if not, what is the future for Australia and Australian agriculture?

The aim of this session is to examine whether agriculture still has a place in Australia’s current accounts. With the so-called ‘second mining boom’ and all eyes focused on the minerals tax and carbon tax, is there still a place for Australian agriculture or will it go the way of our manufacturing industry?

To submit an abstract to this themed session:
a) E-mail an abstract of no more than 250 words to meg.sherval@newcastle.edu.au by 30 March 2012 AND
b) Submit the abstract online, ticking the title of the session for which you wish to be considered: www.iag2012.com.au

Deadline for submission: 30 March 2012.

4.Rurality and Otherness

Session convenor: Dr Meg Sherval, University of Newcastle

Identity in rural communities is a slowly evolving discussion about issues of self, gender, sexuality, race and so on. In this session we consider whether the contemporary rural identity has indeed changed or if it still seeks to marginalise groups by maintaining rural stereotypes.

The aim of this session is to examine whether ‘othering’ still characterises as many rural spaces as it once did or whether education and new understandings about identity have seen changes occur locally and internationally.

To submit an abstract to this themed session:

a) E-mail an abstract of no more than 250 words to meg.sherval@newcastle.edu.au by 30 March 2012 AND

b) Submit the abstract online, ticking the title of the session for which you wish to be considered: www.iag2012.com.au

Deadline for submission: 30 March 2012.

5.Rural Resource Governance

Session conveners: Dr Robyn Bartel – The University of New England and Dr Meg Sherval, University of Newcastle.

Natural resources have historically been seen in capitalist societies as the key asset of rural spaces. While the state has been, and remains, a key facilitator of governance, in Australia as elsewhere, the state is no longer the sole arbiter of legitimate action (Lockie et al, 2006). In this session we explore the exercise of political power beyond the state and consider the ways in which power works through social actors such as farmers, graziers, foresters and miners.

The aim of this session is to explore how rural resource governance is reconfiguring rural spaces and places. We are interested in hearing how governance issues surrounding resource use, production and consumption manifest themselves on the ground and how local actors respond to legislative and environmental changes when they occur.

To submit an abstract to this themed session:

a) E-mail an abstract of no more than 250 words to rbartel@une.edu.au  or meg.sherval@newcastle.edu.au by 30 March 2012 AND

b) Submit the abstract online, ticking the title of the session for which you wish to be considered: www.iag2012.com.au

Deadline for submission: 30 March 2012.