The Standing and Understanding of Scholars in Society: Arab and European Experiences
Call for Papers
Conference: Tunis, 5-7 December 2025
This conference brings together scholars from various academic disciplines (social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, technical sciences, etc.) who are interested in understanding the societal role of academic scholars in the Arab world and in Europe. The conference follows two main aims: One key aim is to create a better understanding of the chances and challenges of academics ‘going public’ – be it through their contributions to media discourses, policy counselling, the conduct of blogs or other forms of science communication. The second key objective is to reflect on the involvement of stakeholders from society in research projects – the challenges of participatory and transdisciplinary research for and with society. The ultimate goal is the publication of a peer-reviewed special issue and/or edited volume with an internationally renowned publisher.
Possible Topics
We invite submissions that address particularly, but not exclusively:
- Topic I | “Scholarship, Truths and Ethics”
Doing research in the post-truth era: reflections and critique; Trust and “truth” in academia: Conducting trusted research in times of “fake news”, “post-truth societies”, and artificial intelligence; Do no harm, procedural and methodological ethics, narrative ethics. - Topic II | “Education for and with Society”
The role and types of education in times of crisis and conflict. - Topic III | “Rethinking Academic Freedom”
How do external interferences affect academic scholarship, and how could academic freedom be defended/ensured? - Topic IV | “Data and Research Processes”
Research in the age of artificial intelligence: conserving knowledge, protecting data, research agendas; types of inquiry. - Topic V | “Scholarship Transfer into Society”
Collaborating with (civil) societies/culture and transferring academic knowledge to society: Including the role and practices of science communication/academic journalism as well as that of academic work in museums/documentation centers. - Topic VI | “Collaborating with Industry, Businesses and other Stakeholders”
Transferring academic knowledge to businesses and industry. - Topic VII | “Finance”
Contract research as a solution in times of funding shortage? Experiences and perspectives from different academic disciplines. - Topic VIII | “Scholars’ Safety”
Health and safety concerns of academics working under extreme conditions, both regarding their physical as well as mental well-being.
Members in Charge
- Luise Fischer, University of Leipzig, Germany
- Jan Claudius Völkel, University of Ottawa, Canada
How to apply?
Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract of their intended paper in English (max. 300 words) to the organisers and AGYA alumni Dr. Luise Fischer, University of Leipzig, and Dr. Jan Claudius Völkel, University of Ottawa, until 22 July 2025 to scholars-in-society(at)agya.info.
Travel expenses and full-board accommodation during the conference for accepted participants will be covered by AGYA.
Important Dates
- 22 July 2025: Submission of abstracts (max. 300 words)
- 15 August 2025: Notification of accepted participants
- 24 September 2025: Virtual pre-meeting (half-day)
- 16 November 2025: Submission of draft papers (ca. 5,000 words)
- 5-7 December 2025: Conference in Tunis, Tunisia
- 10 February 2026: Submission of final papers (ca. 8,000 words)