The Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies at Columbia University is pleased to invite academic essays from graduate students and early career scholars from across universities and departments for the 2026 Graduate Conference to be held on the 22nd and 23rd of April 2026. The annual MESAAS graduate conference has been an enriching space for scholars, activists, and artists to confront and examine issues of political, social, and ethical concern that connect regions of the global south. This year, our conference invites abstracts for the theme, (Re)Tracing Land in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
As in previous years, the conference will be hybrid (in-person and online via Zoom), and we especially encourage scholars from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa to apply, and, if possible, to attend in person. Unfortunately, we will not be able to support with funding for travel or accommodation.
The abstracts should be no longer than 300 words. Please include a short 100-word biography with your submission. Notification of paper acceptance will be sent by March.
Deadline for abstracts is February 10, 2026. Please submit them here (https://forms.gle/
If accepted, final papers are due April 1st.
Please direct any questions to the following email: mesaasgraduateconferenc