University of York, 19-21 July 2013
The recently-established China in the 1950s Network, funded by the British Inter-University China Centre (AHRC), is an international network for the promotion of scholarly exchanges on this exciting period of history. Hosted at the University of York and partnered with East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, the network explores China’s domestic and international history, with a focus on the early 1950s.
In order to promote the network and to establish a community of scholars, the University of York will be hosting a workshop from 19 to 21 July 2013 (Friday afternoon to mid-day on Sunday). The workshop aims to provide a forum in which scholars working on the social history (broadly defined) of China in the 1950s can explore new approaches and engage with recent developments in the field. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of primary sources and their uses in writing the history of the early People’s Republic. Suggested themes for papers or panels include: ‘ideology vs. pragmatism’; ‘societal change’; ‘legacies of the pre-Communist era’; ‘the CCP and the city’; and ‘reform and rejection: the history of individuals in the early PRC’ (this is not intended to be an exhaustive, or prescriptive, list and other topics are also very welcome). Papers are also invited on ‘Greater China’, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. The organisers intend that the papers will form the basis of an edited volume.
The workshop will feature plenary sessions led by 杨奎松 Yang Kuisong (ECNU), Karl Gerth (Merton, Oxford) and Christian Hess (Sophia).
York is one of Britain’s most beautiful medieval cities and is just under two hours from London by train. The workshop will be held in the historic King’s Manor building in the town centre.
Contributors are requested to direct all correspondence to jon.howlett@york.ac.uk. Paper abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and panel proposals are most welcome. The deadline for submissions is Friday 22nd March 2013.
Delegates will have their accommodation provided free of charge on 19 and 20 July and there will also be a free conference dinner on the Saturday. Funds are available to compensate for domestic UK travel, but international scholars are encouraged to seek funding from alternative sources (contributions will be made if possible).