The AGS International Graduate Student Conference 2022: The Post-Covid World Dis/Order - Opportunities and/or Challenges?

 Theme and objectives

Governments, economies, health systems and societies have been, and continue to be, significantly impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the largest global crisis since the Second World War. As the world continues to combat the virus, the effects of the pandemic amplify existing and new systemic challenges within international relations, while formulating tools, methods and perspectives with which to carve a new path forward.

In efforts to support governments on maneuvering the consequences of the pandemic, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, launched the UN Response to Covid-19.[1] This goal of the initiative is to address the socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis, as well as proffer a favorable recovery process for all societies. During the recent UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Guterres conveyed the following, as it relates to progress (or lack thereof) pertaining to the global crisis: “The world is facing a moment of truth and the time has come to restore trust and inspire hope. And I do have hope. The problems we have created are problems we can solve.” 

This moment in history offers a unique lens through which to assess the comprehensive balance of risk, while simultaneously considering the range of opportunities which might be leveraged through the pandemic and its aftermath, with the aim of reconstruction, and building a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world. The Post-Covid World will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion for years to come, not only in international relations, but within a myriad of disciplines throughout the world.

In an attempt to discuss the various impacts, consequences, and potential solutions of the Post-Covid World Dis/order, this one-day, virtual conference will bring together inquisitive minds - graduate, postgraduate, senior undergraduate students, practitioners (from NGOs, government agencies and IGOs) and concerned citizens of the world to brainstorm the issue from multiple angles - political, economic, social, cultural, legal and philosophical.

Participation on panels is selective. Attendance is open to all. 

For consideration to present on panels, your paper must be related to the field of International Relations and Diplomacy. 

Possible themes surrounding the Post-Covid World Dis/order are:

• Definitions, Meanings and Interpretations 
• Impacts, Consequences and Solutions
• Describing, Prescribing, Predicting
• Theoretical Underpinnings
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data
• Identity and Nationality
• Human Rights 
• Gender Discrimination
• Economics, Trade and Connectivity and Covid-19
• Healthcare Systems and Covid-19
• Vaccine Diplomacy and Covid-19
• Labor Markets, the workplace and Covid-19
• The Future of Technology and Covid-19
• Geopolitics, Globalization and Sustainability and Covid-19
• Migrants and Naturalization
• Politics of Marginalization
• National and International Law
• Global Governance and Role of NGOs
• Regional Governance
• Democracy in the Covid-19 Pandemic
• COVID 19’s Effect on International Relations
• Climate Change and Covid-19
• Black Lives and Covid-19
• Covid-19 and the Student

This conference is organized by graduate students enrolled in the American Graduate School’s PhD and MA programs in International Relations and Diplomacy in partnership with Arcadia University. It is coordinated by Jacinda Carlisle (PhD Candidate 2026) and the Graduate Student Association under the faculty supervision of Professor Ruchi Anand. Selected conference papers will be published in the Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development, an online, open-source, peer-reviewed academic journal published jointly by Arcadia University and the American Graduate School in Paris (https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/agsjournal/).

Date and location

The AGS International Graduate Student Conference will take place on Friday, April 29th, 2022, from 9am to 6pm CET. 

It will be held at Reid Hall, on the campus of the American Graduate School in Paris, 4 Rue de Chevreuse, 75006 Paris (and virtually) in the 6th arrondissement - steps away from the Luxembourg Gardens and the French Senate.

Who can submit

This is a conference intended for graduate students, but senior undergraduates with faculty, professor, academic or professional recommendation (from fields relating to the conference theme) may also apply.

How to submit

Abstracts should be 200 to 350 words and submitted electronically to conference@ags.edu as an attachment (Microsoft Word or PDF). The subject line should include the name of the candidate as well as “AGS Conference Abstract Submission.” Please also give a potential, if not finalized, a title for your paper/presentation.

 In addition, please include the following: 

• Research topic/ topic of your paper, methodology (if applicable);
• University affiliation (degrees earned and those in the process of concentration and completion);
• Professional affiliation (if applicable);
• Prior conference presentation experience (if applicable);
• Letter of reference from institution faculty (required for senior undergraduate students outside of AGS).

Full papers are not necessary but highly suggested before the final presentation. Note that for submissions selected for publication in the Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development, a completed draft will be required two weeks after the conference.

Submission deadlines

• Abstract:  Monday, February 7, 2022
• Working draft (as close to completion, as is):  Friday, April 8, 2022

Fees and Conditions

All accepted candidates attending and participating in person (or virtually) will be required to pay a non-refundable 50-euro registration fee (registration fees are waived for AGS students who present a paper). All fees are payable via bank transfer to AGS (International Bank Account Number (IBAN):  FR76 1020 7004 2621 2150 2489 051 and Bank Identification Code (BIC):  CCBPFRPPMTG) and will help to pay for organizational and administrative costs. These fees do not cover personal costs to the applicant, such as transportation, accommodation, etc. Applicants are only fully confirmed after having paid the registration fee, with fees due from accepted candidates within 10 days of receiving the acceptance letter. In the event that accepted candidates are unable to attend after having confirmed their participation in the conference, the registration fee is non-refundable.

Attendance for those who do not present a paper is free.

Contact and RSVP

For any questions about the conference and to RSVP, please feel free to contact Jacinda Carlisle by email at conference@ags.edu .

Graduate School Student Conference Committee

American Graduate School in Paris

4 rue de Chevreuse, 75006 Paris

01 47 20 00 94