2021 Rustgi Undergraduate Conference on South Asia
Isolation and its Discontents February 26th and 27th, 2021 University at Buffalo, SUNY
We present the third annual Rustgi Undergraduate Conference on South Asia by reflecting upon the rich history of South Asia and its connection to present-day conditions. We invite papers on the theme of “Isolation,” where isolation may be interpreted broadly, whether in its social, political, or environmental sense. To a lot of us today, isolation on a global scale would seem like a novel phenomenon. But both in its metaphorical and literal manifestations, isolation has throughout history been a marker of something tempestuous and has provoked resistance. The conference will feature a keynote lecture from Aniruddha Dutta, Associate Professor in the departments of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies and Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Iowa.
Undergraduate participants from all disciplines, working on any topic relating to the region, are welcome to submit proposals. Possible topics of discussion include:
Socio-political forms of isolation, including separation and seclusion
Physical isolation
Surveillance
Efforts to isolate certain “master categories” (caste, race, gender, nationality) out of the messy reality of humanity
Myths of environmental isolation
Atavistic claims, be they nationalist, religious, linguistic, or otherwise
Isolation and diaspora
While this list of suggestions is by no means exhaustive, we encourage papers that address less commonly researched sociopolitical issues, communities, or theories. We hope to organize panels around presentations addressing similar issues that draw from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including the social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, management, humanities, fine arts, and others.
Format The conference will be held online on Friday, February 26th, and Saturday, February 27th, 2021. Students presenters should plan for 15-minute presentations. Each panel will include 30 minutes for discussion.
Deadline Proposals, including 250-word abstracts and the contact information of a faculty supervisor, must be submitted via the online submissions portal (http://bit.ly/rustgisubmissions2021) by January 1st, 2021.
When submitting abstracts, applicants must affirm that they will be enrolled as undergraduate students at the time of the conference. Those in graduate programs or not currently enrolled in an undergraduate program will not be permitted to present. The organizers reserve the right to confirm student status with their advisor and home institution.
Being NOBULL. 3-4:30p.m. Live your values! This workshop focuses on aligning your values with your actions to become an empowered, effective bystander. This workshop reviews the steps of bystander intervention and help participants identify their bystander style and explores how we can intervene in situations we have or may face. Together we will be identifying problem behaviors, deciding when and how to intervene, and working through scenarios to practice getting involved in a safe environment. Register on UBLinked at:https://buffalo.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6210743.
Human Trafficking Happens Here. Tuesday, October 27, 2-4p.m. Join experts Emma Buckthal (Erie County Volunteer Lawyers Project), Ahlea Howard (International Institute of Buffalo), Judge Martoche (Human Trafficking Intervention Hub Court), Theresa Nietzel (Erie County Sheriff’s Office), and Alicia Tabliago (Human Trafficking Intervention Hub Court) in discussing the reality of human trafficking in WNY, increased risk factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, red flags to watch for with our students and community, and how to access help. Participants will receive access to resources on UB Box. Sponsored by UB’s Violence Prevention Team. Register in advance for this meeting: https://buffalo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsfumoqzoqHtJq20STducaaf-FNw-vqOX5.
The University at Buffalo School of Management would like to welcome you to our upcoming event dedicated to diverse business leaders. At the UB School of Management, we seek to build strong, diverse and inclusive cohorts in all our programs across a wide spectrum of diversity including ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender orientation. Our Diverse Leaders event is designed for prospective applicants to our MBA, Professional MBA, Executive MBA, and Master of Science programs. This year we look forward to connecting with prospective candidates through an entirely virtual experience. During this intimate online experience, you’ll have the opportunity to: Learn about the UB MBA and MS programs, student experience, and resources to support diverse students Gain valuable information on how to position yourself as a leading candidate for admission Network with current students, faculty, staff, and alumni
We will be holding a Halloween Craft Contest on October 28th at 7pm. Carve or paint your best pumpkin design or even create a spooky little craft before then for a chance to win a prize. You can only win the prize if you are registered for Relay so make sure you do that first!
Academics and Advice: Friday, October 9th, 3-4pm. Virtual. Honors College Faculty Fellows Craig Centre: Transnational Studies, Maya Chilbert: Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matthew Paul: Psychology, and Lindsay Brandon Hunter: Theatre and Dance will be on hand to share their stories, offer advice, and answer questions.
For more information on the Honors College Faculty Fellows:
Race and Racism: Thursday, October 15th, 4-4:50pm. Virtual. Dr. Henry Louis Taylor, Director of the Center for Urban Studies and Professor of Urban and Regional Planning will lead a discussion about race and racism in our country, our communities, and on campus.
For more information on Dr. Taylor’s work on race and racism:
Health and Healthcare: Thursday, October 29th, 4-4:50pm. Virtual. Dr. Daphne Bascom, Vice President, Population Health at Saint Luke’s Health System, UB Honors College Alumna, and Marshall Scholar Recipient, invites students to join her for a conversation about public health and her work as a leader in the field.
For more information on Dr. Bascom’s work in public health:
In the past year, we have witnessed popular uprisings that have led to changes in governments in Algeria, Sudan, and Puerto Rico. At the same time, the United States used various methods to encourage or force regime change in Iran, Syria and Venezuela. Internal popular uprisings are often undertaken on pretexts of defending or extending human rights, but they can sometimes result in abuses of human rights. And calls for regime change in the name of “democracy” and “human rights” are often used to justify imperial intervention resulting in additional domestic repression.
