The AGS International Graduate Student Conference 2023

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has seemingly destroyed peace in Europe brought on by decades of carefully crafted security architecture, yet, has highlighted global solidarity for Ukrainians and arguably has pushed states to find innovative ways to overcome challenges emphasized by the conflict. This cataclysmic historical moment seems to add fuel to the fire of a world already troubled with multiple monumental events happening at once. It is imperative that global citizens critically analyze not only the challenges brought on by an unsubstantiated war but potential successes that can be extracted upon further scrutiny. This is an opportunity to open dialogue and address the critical political, economic, and diplomatic implications of Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified, and brutal invasion of Ukraine. This conference seeks to discuss the outcomes, positive or negative, that have already occurred in the past and will occur in the upcoming, highly anticipated winter months, a season that is expected to expose the true winners and losers in international relations and global leadership. CIA Director William Burns described Putin as someone who “is betting now that he is going to be tougher than the Ukrainians, the Europeans, the Americans…”. This conference seeks to analyze the numerous consequences, and impacts, both positive and negative, as well as potential resolutions to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This one-day in-person conference will bring together innovative thinkers including graduate, postgraduate, and senior undergraduate students, professionals, advocates, and global citizens to discuss a challenging and profound topic from varying vantage points - political, economic, social, cultural, legal, and philosophical. 

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

Possible themes surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine are:

• Definitions, Meanings and, Interpretations
• Impacts, Consequences and, Solutions
• Describing, Prescribing, Predicting
• Theoretical Underpinnings
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data
• Russian/Ukrainian Identity and Nationality
• Non-Western interpretations of the invasion
• Human Rights
• Gender impacts
• Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
• Military strategy and analysis
• Economics, Trade and, Connectivity
• Agriculture and food
• Energy, gas, oil
• Propaganda and Media
• Soviet Union, USSR, Cold War
• Refugee and Migration Diplomacy
• The Future of Technology
• Geopolitics
• National and International Law
• Global Governance and the Role of NGOs
• Regional Governance
• Democracy in the aftermath of the invasion
• Effect on International Relations 

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, 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: January 9th, 2023
• Working draft (as close to completion, as is): April 9th, 2023

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. If accepted candidates cannot attend after confirming their participation in the conference, the registration fee is non-refundable.

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