Centre for Independent Social Research,
Laboratorium. Russian Review for Social Research,
European University at St.Petersburg
announce:

Complex Gaze at a Complex World:
Challenges of comparison in social research

International conference in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Centre for Independent Social Research (CISR), St. Petersburg 
May 25-27, 2012, St. Petersburg, Russia

 

The notion of the ever-increasing interconnection and interdependency of processes and phenomena in a globalizing world largely determines the methodology of contemporary social research.  Social research teams engage with international discourse, which requires a broadening of a narrowly focused research gaze, juxtaposition and comparison of multiple cases and contexts.

Such a perspective lays down the foundation for manifold and complex research designs: one research project may require fieldwork in several localities (for ex. multi-sited ethnography), and/or a team of researchers coming from different disciplines, different cultures and scientific traditions.

The goal of the conference “Complex Gaze at a Complex World” is to contribute to the discussion, designed to articulate the benefits, possibilities, problems, and effects of the social studies of complex designs. 

We invite social researchers with experience in conducting empirical comparative, multidisciplinary, and multi-sited projects either individually or as part of a team. By exploring and contrasting specific case studies, we intend to discuss the benefits and limits of complexly designed studies. We plan to devote special attention to issues and strategies involved in comparing research outcomes across sites, the reflections of participants in collective research projects on the organization and execution of fieldwork, data analysis and interpretation, and collaborative work on co-authoring reports, articles, and books.

During the course of the conference we hope to engage the following questions:

  • What should be compared in social research, and how should it be compared?  Is there a problem of “incomparable” data?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of comparative research projects (as opposed to empirical research designs, which do not include a comparative dimension)?
  • What are the different approaches to managing co-thinking, co-working, and co-writing?
  • Is there a link between an increased complexity of research design and the depth and quality of sociological conclusions?
  • How does the institutional context (international funding programs, competitive grant and fellowships), and the market conditions, and pressures influence the choice of research designs?

The working language of the conference is English; the roundtables will be conducted in both Russian and English.

Those interested in participating should fill out the application form and submit abstracts of their papers (300 words maximum) by November 15, 2011. 

Session organizers should send their CV, proposed session title and a short description of the session (500 words maximum), together with a list of intended participants, who have confirmed their agreement to take part in the conference, directly to the organizers of the conference: russianfield.info@gmail.com. 

The review of the session and abstract proposals will allow the organizers to identify thematic directions, and to organize the sections and roundtables in accordance.

We hope for continuity with the conference “The Russian Field: Views from Abroad” that took place in St. Petersburg in 2009 (www.russianfield.info); therefore proposals, where the Russian society is included as a part of the comparative aspect, are preferred and will have a small advantage during abstract selection.

The list of accepted abstracts and approved sections will be published on the conference site prior to December 15, 2011.  The site will also contain all the relevant information for conference participants.  The participants will be expected to submit their finished papers before May 1, 2012 by email, to russianfield.info@gmail.com

The conference will result in a publication of a special issue of the international peer-reviewed journal LABORATORIUM

The regular conference fee for participants is $100.  The conference organizing committee can review individual requests for reducing or eliminating the conference fee on a case-by-case basis. 

Confirmed conference participants will be responsible for financing their travel and lodging.  The conference organizers will help the participants with invitations required for visa applications, hotel reservations, etc.

The end of May is the time when the St.Petersburg white nights begin, and the conference participants will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy this beautiful season and take part in a cultural program provided by the organizers.
We welcome you to St. Petersburg!  

For all questions please contact
Anastasia Meylakhs and Elena Bogdanova
email: russianfield.info@gmail.com 

Центр независимых социологических исследований
191040 Санкт-Петербург, а/я 193
telephone/fax (812) 718 3796