Current debates and perspectives.
Call for papers
The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 January 2025. Accepted papers will be notified by 1 March 2025.
Please send your 200-250 words abstract and 100 words biography, including your institutional or organisational affiliation, to Berfin via [email protected]
About the event
Following the success of the First Biennial International Conference of Alevism Studies, we are excited to announce the Second Biennial International Conference of Alevism Studies. The conference is an opportunity to bring together both new and established scholars from different disciplines and perspectives for a constructive discussion of current debates and perspectives related to Alevis and Alevism. As the first day of the conference marks the Sivas Massacre of Alevis in 1993, we will open with a panel commemorating it and the victims.
In the current context of the conflict in the Middle East, Turkey’s position is pivotal transnationally and has a significant impact on how the nation-state engages with its minoritised ethnic and religious groups, particularly Alevis and Kurds. While there is a new possibility of a so-called ‘Kurdish opening’, Alevi’s demands are mostly ignored. Recent developments, such as the establishment of the Alevi-Bektashi Culture and Cemevi Presidency under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the recognition of Cemevis as Alevi places of worship by certain opposition-led municipalities, have exacerbated tensions within Alevi associations and between Alevis and the state. Many Alevi organisations view these changes as an attempt to undermine the Alevi movement, transforming Alevism from a religion into a mere cultural identity while promoting Islamisation and enforcing assimilation. This situation presents significant challenges for Alevi communities on a transnational scale in their pursuit of recognition. In various countries, Alevis have successfully established themselves as a distinct religion, yet their ongoing struggle for recognition faces persistent complications in others.
In the neo-liberal academic context where struggles for legitimacy have heightened, Alevism Studies is more established as an interdisciplinary field, although its status cannot be taken for granted. The conference provides an opportunity to explore in more detail what constitutes Alevism Studies and how it might be defined and described. What are its specific characteristics, if any? How should academics align with current perspectives, methodologies and concepts, such as decolonising and queer perspectives, and how they are applied. What plans should we be making to secure the future of Alevism Studies in the academy?
We are conscious that much of the research under the umbrella of Alevism Studies and theology does not engage fully with intersectionality, especially with reference to sexuality, gender and other dimensions of identity. This conference offers a chance to showcase LGBTQI+ research relating to Alevism and Alevi communities and explore collaboration opportunities for cross-disciplinary research. Whereas Alevis advocate gender equality in theology and organisations, it has been acknowledged that this is barely reflected in practice, and sexuality is even more hidden. What progress has been made with the politics of gender and sexuality within Alevi movements and theology?
The conference will address this complexity from multi-disciplinary perspectives within the broader global context. We therefore propose five key themes in this call for individual papers and panel discussions:
- The current transnational context for Alevis in Turkey and the diaspora, including the politics of recognition/post-recognition and youth engagement.
- Alevi historiography and theology, especially relating to shaping the content of Alevism and its appeal to youth.
- Sexuality and gender (and other dimensions of difference) in Alevism and Alevi organisations.
- Remembering, collective memory and activism.
- Education relating to Alevism lessons in Schools and Alevi Associations.
Papers on different topics and panel suggestions such as Alevi media, culture and music are also welcome. We welcome papers from established academics and new/postgraduate researchers.
The conference will be hosted by the Centre for Social Justice Research at the University of Westminster. It is organised by Dr Umit Cetin, Dr Celia Jenkins and Tufan Bozkurt from the School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster and Dr Berfin Emre from the University of the Arts London.
There is no conference fee and refreshments will be provided. There will be accommodation available if required.
Advisory Board
- Ayfer Karakaya-Stump, College of William & Mary, USA
- Ayhan Yalçınkaya, Ankara University, Turkey
- Bedriye Poyraz, Ankara University, Turkey
- Cemal Salman, Istanbul University, Turkey
- Ceren Lord, University of Oxford, UK
- Deniz Coşan Eke, University of Vienna, Austria
- Handan Aksünger-Kızıl, University of Vienna, Austria
- Martin van Bruinessen, Utrecht University, Netherlands
- Suavi Aydın, Hacettepe University, Turkey
- Şükrü Aslan, Mimar Sinan University, Turkey
